Flying ants are a feature of the Irish summer, arriving roughly at the same time each year.
The massive airborne swarms can be alarming when. first spotted, but the creatures will do no harm to humans. Technically ants can bite, but are far more interested in their swarming activities than any humans who may be nearby.
Their only purpose is to facilitate newly mature queen ants leaving their origin nests and venturing out to create an ant colony of their own.
Read more: Five simple ways to stop insects from biting you
Every year, videos of "flying ant day" go viral as people begin to notice the swarms, but while it may feel like the ants all descend at once, the process actually takes place over a weeks long period.
Collie Ennis, a research associate in the Department of Zoology at Trinity College Dublin, explained to RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime: "It's a whole period of time from July into August. When localised weather conditions are right, we'll see the whole colony clearing out."
"You'll see kind of the worker ants making sure the holes are nice and wide around the nest so the queens can get out there and take off onto the wind."
"It can be as localised as a small suburb of Dublin with all their swarms taking off or you could have the whole east coast of England or Ireland."
The timeframe usually corresponds with a period of hot and humid weather.
This swarming time is essential for the Irish ecosystem, as the ants provide a food source for many local bird, bug and fish species.
The swarms are created as a protective measure, as swarming means that more of the ants are more likely to survive any predators who may be looking for a meal when they form these groups.
The swarms also increase the reproduction levels of the new colony.
After the swarming, the mated queens find themselves a nice new location to create a colony, chew off their own wings, and settle in to their new life as the matriarch of a new territory.
The areas the new colonies form in get the ecosystem benefits the colonies provide, such as aerating soil, cycling soil nutrients, and controlling smaller pests.
Pest control is always an option for anyone who does not want the swarms on their property, but it is recommended to allow the ants to complete their natural discourse.
To avoid the ants being attracted to your home, avoid leaving any food out on counters. Also seal any open food packaging that may be left in cupboards, to avoid any scout ants from colonies new or old finding your cupboard and marking it as a cornucopia for the rest of his family.
Avoid leaving windows open in the kitchen as they will be attracted to the smell of food. Clean up any drink spills, crumbs and leftover food from outdoor dining areas and barbecues quickly.
You can also seal off any cracks in exterior walls to ensure your home does not become the new territory of an ant colony.
Rentokill advises that "the easiest way to get rid of flying ants is to keep windows and doors closed where possible."
"Seal any cracks and openings around your home."
"If you would like to keep doors and windows open during the summer months, installing a fly screen will prevent flying ants from entering your home when doors and windows are open."
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