Warm summer days in the UK often bring with them the sight of hundreds of winged ants rising from patios, lawns, and cracks in paving stones. It’s a strange and slightly unsettling spectacle, especially when they gather in great numbers and start drifting towards your house. If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of flying ants outside — or why they appear in the first place — you’re not alone.
Although they might look alarming, flying ants are part of a natural and temporary event known as a nuptial flight. The good news is that with a few simple actions, you can manage them easily and prevent them from returning year after year.
This guide explains what’s really happening when you spot them, what to do straight away, and how to stop them making a home near your patio or garden.
Understanding Outdoor Swarms
What triggers flying ants to take flight outdoors
Flying ants aren’t a different species of ant — they’re simply the reproductive members of the colony. When weather conditions line up perfectly, colonies release winged males and young queens into the air for their annual mating flight.
The trigger is usually a warm, still, humid day following rainfall — ideal conditions for flying. These swarms can last a few minutes or a few hours, and because many colonies synchronise their flights, it can look like an invasion across entire neighbourhoods.
If you notice flying ants outside in July or early August, it’s simply their breeding season in action. They take to the skies to mate, ensuring genetic diversity and helping ant populations stay healthy across the UK.
Common nesting sites around patios, lawns and flowerbeds
Most ant colonies build their nests in sheltered, sun-warmed ground. Common places include under patios, paving stones, flowerbed edges, compost heaps, and between garden borders.
A nest might appear as a small mound of fine soil, a scattering of sand between slabs, or a series of small holes along a path. During summer, the ants inside work tirelessly expanding tunnels and preparing for the emergence of the flying ants.
When the nuptial flight begins, hundreds of ants pour out through these holes to take off. The event is over quickly, but the sight can be dramatic if several nests swarm at once.
How to spot early signs of a swarm before they land
There are often clues before the flying ants appear. You might see worker ants gathering outside their nest entrances, carrying larvae or new winged ants to the surface. In the hours before flight, the winged ants themselves often crawl around restlessly near cracks, edges, and paving slabs.
If you spot them early, it’s a good chance to act — either to divert them away from doorways and windows or to treat the nest once the flight has finished.
Immediate Outdoor Actions You Can Take
How to block entry routes from garden to house
Flying ants that take off outdoors sometimes find their way inside through open windows or vents. The easiest prevention is to shut windows and doors on swarming days, especially during late afternoon when flights typically occur.
If you have patio doors, check for tiny gaps at the base or edges where ants can crawl through. Seal them temporarily with weatherstripping or draught excluder. You can also fit mesh screens to windows if you want ventilation without letting insects inside.
Outdoor vents, extractor fans, and air bricks can be covered with fine mesh or gauze to reduce access. Once the flight season passes, remove temporary barriers to maintain airflow.
Cleaning outdoor areas to reduce attraction
Flying ants themselves are short-lived, but the worker ants that support their colonies are active all year. They’re drawn to crumbs, sticky spills, and sweet residues. By keeping your outdoor areas clean, you reduce the incentive for ants to build colonies close to your home.
Sweep patios regularly, rinse outdoor furniture and bins, and wash away food residues after barbecues. Make sure compost bins are sealed tightly and store pet food indoors. If you have fruit trees or flowering plants, clear away fallen fruit which can attract not only ants but wasps as well.
Simple cleanliness goes a long way towards discouraging ants from nesting nearby or returning after a flight.
DIY sprays and natural deterrents for garden zones
If you prefer to avoid chemicals, several natural deterrents can help repel ants without harming pets or plants.
- Vinegar spray: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray around door frames, patios, or nest entrances. The strong scent disrupts ant scent trails and discourages them from gathering there.
- Lemon or citrus: Ants dislike acidic smells. Rubbing lemon peels around thresholds or mixing lemon juice with water creates a natural barrier.
- Peppermint oil: Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to water, shake well, and spray near entry points. The cooling scent is refreshing for you but unpleasant for ants.
- Cinnamon or cayenne pepper: Sprinkle small amounts near visible ant routes. These spices irritate ants and send them elsewhere.
These natural remedies don’t kill ants but help steer them away from key areas like doorways, conservatories, or patio seating zones.
Dealing with the Nest and Preventing Re-infestations
Identifying and treating the nest area
After the flying ants have completed their flight, you may still notice some lingering activity around the nest entrances. This is the best time to act, as the swarm itself is over and the colony has settled again.
To locate the nest, follow any visible trails of ants carrying food or soil. Look for small holes in paving, raised soil, or tiny mounds in your lawn. Once you’ve found the source, you have a few safe options:
- Boiling water: Pouring boiling water into the nest entrances is a simple and natural way to kill surface ants and disrupt their tunnels. It’s not always effective for deep nests but can reduce numbers significantly.
- Ant bait gel or powder: Commercial ant gels (available from garden centres and hardware shops) work by attracting worker ants who then carry the bait back to the queen. Within days, the colony collapses.
- Biological control: Some garden suppliers offer nematodes — microscopic worms that target ants in the soil. These are safe for wildlife and a good long-term option for lawns.
If you treat the nest, avoid doing it during flight hours, as the activity can spread ants temporarily. Aim for early morning or evening when the ground is cooler.
When to call a professional for outdoor treatment
For most people, flying ants outside are a temporary inconvenience rather than a major infestation. However, if the same areas swarm heavily year after year, or if you suspect nests are forming beneath foundations or decking, professional pest control is worth considering.
Experts can locate the main nest using specialist tools and apply safe, targeted insecticides that reach deep into cracks and soil. They can also advise on long-term prevention strategies for your particular garden layout.
Professional treatment is especially helpful when ants are nesting under patios, driveways, or concrete where DIY access is limited.
Long-term outdoor prevention: landscaping, sealing gaps, monitoring every season
Once you’ve removed the nest, prevention keeps flying ants from coming back. Routine maintenance around your garden helps deter future colonies:
- Reseal or re-sand patio slabs and block paving to remove ideal nesting spots.
- Keep soil beds tidy and avoid leaving piles of wood, leaves, or bricks where ants can shelter.
- Fix drainage issues — standing water or damp soil creates perfect ant environments.
- Check problem areas each spring for early ant activity.
By tackling these small jobs regularly, you make your outdoor space less appealing to new queens looking to start colonies.
Myths, Risks and What to Expect Next
Myth-busting: “Flying Ant Day” vs season
Every summer, social media buzzes about Flying Ant Day — that one afternoon when millions seem to take to the skies at once. In truth, there’s no single day. It’s a season lasting several weeks, triggered by local conditions.
One area may swarm in early July while another won’t see activity until late August. It depends entirely on temperature, humidity, and wind. So, don’t be surprised if you notice flying ants several times over summer — it’s just different colonies catching up.
Are flying ants harmful outdoors?
Flying ants don’t bite, sting, or damage plants or property. They’re harmless to people and pets. In fact, they play an important ecological role. Their tunnels aerate soil, helping water and nutrients reach plant roots. They’re also a valuable food source for birds, spiders, and other wildlife.
The only real issue is the nuisance factor when they appear in large numbers on patios or near doors. Once their flight is over — usually within a few hours — they vanish as quickly as they arrived.
What happens after the flight
After mating, male flying ants die, and the fertilised queens shed their wings and search for new places to nest. Most choose soil, under paving, or sheltered cracks in the garden. Only a tiny fraction will survive the winter and start new colonies.
By the time you’ve cleaned up, the event is usually finished for another year. Keep an eye on those spots next spring, and you’ll be ready long before the next generation takes flight.
Our Final Say!
Seeing flying ants outside can feel overwhelming at first, especially when they appear in their hundreds. But remember — it’s a brief natural event, not a sign of a permanent infestation.
A few simple steps make all the difference: keep your outdoor spaces clean, seal gaps that lead indoors, use natural deterrents to steer them away, and treat nests after the swarm to stop repeat visits. If the problem persists, professional pest control offers quick, lasting relief.
Most importantly, stay calm. Flying ants are seasonal, short-lived, and far less troublesome than they seem. Once you understand their cycle and act early, you’ll be able to enjoy your garden again without the summer swarm taking over.
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