GREEN SCENE

WITH LYNNE ALLBUTT

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While kneeling on an ants’ nest last week - in shorts - and watching them stream over my legs and the lawn, I was reminded that we are nearing Flying Ant Day.

Despite still being referred to as a single ‘day’, it's actually more of a mini-season and can last for several weeks with several peaks during July and early August.

Scientists refer to the phenomenon as ‘Nuptual Day’, when the flying ants emerge en masse when a new queen is ready to start her own colony and leaves the nest accompanied by thousands of hopeful males. The annual royal event is also linked to weather conditions and is most likely to take place when the temperature is above 25 degrees, with little wind, and a chance of rain in the following days. Although some say the swarming is triggered after rain and in warm, humid conditions.