Whisperer

It’s summer and if dealing with the heat wasn’t enough we all having to cope with the pesky insects too. Out of nowhere, flying ants have arrived in Bahrain.

According to biologists, the nuptial flight is an important phase in the reproduction of the ant species. During the flight, virgin queens mate with males and then land to start a new colony.

Their nests have a single queen and typically around 5,000 workers, although there can be as many as 15,000. The flying ants currently out and about are males and young queens.

Queens can live for more than 10 years and spend most of their lives in their nest. New queens, however, will leave to found a colony of their own.

“Recent surveys have shown that winged ants emerge over several weeks, although there are usually several large peaks,” according to expert Dr Christopher Terrell-Nield.

Be careful, they will bite if they feel threatened although, fortunately, they have fewer toxins in their sting than a bee but can still cause inflammation and irritation.

To prevent being bitten by the flying ants, here are some Whisperer tips:

Spray them

This is an effective agent against flying ants, as it attaches to their bodies and dehydrates them. Get yourself a spray bottle to catch the little creatures in flight by mixing two generous squirts of dish washing liquid with water.

Catch them

Lure the little things in with a food source and place some tape as close as possible with the sticky side up.

Deadly sweetener

Certain types of sweeteners are very toxic for ants. For example, if you mix in the sweetener with apple juice, it forms a viscous paste that the ants will carry back to the colony. Once consumed there, it will kill off a portion of their population.

Ant powder

An insecticidal powder can be applied around door thresholds or wall and floor junctions where ants run. Follow the instructions.

However, keep in mind when killing flying ants that they are actually good for outdoor environments. They aerate soil, help to cycle nutrients, improve garden fertility and control pests. Flying ants also provide a vital food resource for many species of birds.