Flying ants joined tennis stars on the court at Wimbledon on Wednesday (July 5), and that can only mean one thing.... it must be Flying Ant Day soon.

But what is it, surely not a national holiday?

Not quite, but one thing summer guarantees is flying ants everywhere and anywhere, and Wednesday may just have been a special day for it.

As the Birmingham Mail reports, the flying ant period can actually last a few weeks, but experts say it typically builds up to a specific day.

On said day, we'll witness MILLIONS of flying ants all over the country as they flit around merrily (and annoy all of us).

Flying ants on court Three on day three of the Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon

What is Flying Ant Day?

Male and female ants will sprout wings and venture out of their nests, seeking ants from other colonies to mate with.

It's a giant ant party, in many respects, with millions enjoying their "nuptial flight".

Why does it happen, though?

Experts say the nuptial flight is a crucial part of the insects' development, allowing them to reproduce and spawn scores of other creatures.



So, it's pretty important.

What species are the ants?

If you're swatting away the little creatures from your white work shirt, you'll be interested to know the variety is known as the Lasius niger.

Flying ants settle on court two on day three of the Wimbledon Championships

Tell me more

Their nests have a single queen and typically around 5,000 workers.

This figure can stretch to three times that number, though.

The ants you see over the course of the year will be mostly workers collecting food for their colony - and they are all female.

They survive for about a month, while the flying ants you see once a year are males and young queens.



When will it occur?

That's tough to say - but it'll be soon.

It is thought Flying Ant Day occurs when a spell of wet weather is followed closely by hot humid weather.


How do I get rid of them?

You can do anything from spraying the ants with effective agents, to catching them with sticky tape or tin cans.

Should I get rid of them?

Perhaps not.



So, they may be annoying, but they do a lot of good.


