If you've just woken up to a sky filled with millions of flying critters buzzing around everywhere, you may be wondering what on Earth is going on? Well, it's Flying Ant Day, an annual event when winged ants take to the air en masse in search of mates and new colonies.

Watch: Flying ants emerge from a nest and take to the skies. Credit: Getty

What is Flying Ant Day?

Flying Ant Day is the informal term for the period when large numbers of winged ants emerge simultaneously to mate and establish new colonies.

When does Flying Ant Day happen?

There's no such thing as a specific, scheduled Flying Ant Day, but the phenomenon typically occurs on warm, humid days in summer, when conditions are ideal for their nuptial flights – the mating flight of some insects, such as social bees and ants.

The date itself varies across the country, and tends to be more like a season, rather than a single day. If the country has experienced an unseasonably warm spring (which will likely happen more with the growing issue of climate change), flying ants will appear a little earlier.

They will fly earlier in urban areas, because of the warmer environments in cities. This has proved difficult for Wimbledon tennis players and umpires in previous years.

Flying ants at Wimbledon — Ants stop play: Wimbledon's chair umpire Kader Nouni is pestered by flying ants during a 2017 Ladies Singles second round tennis match. Credit: Getty

How long does it last?

The phenomenon typically lasts for just a few days, though the exact timing can vary by location and environmental conditions.

What are flying ants?

Flying ants are the winged reproductive members of an ant colony, also known as alates. These include both male ants and future queen ants. Their primary purpose is to leave their nest, mate during their nuptial flight, and establish new colonies. The males usually die shortly after mating, while the fertilised queens lose their wings and start new colonies. The queens are the larger of the flying ants, growing up to 15mm in length.

Various ant species participate in this event, with the most common in the UK being the black garden ant (Lasius niger).

Flying ants in the Peak District — Flying ants at Baslow Edge in the Peak District National Park, England. Credit: Getty

Which ant species is the flying ant?

There are about 60 species of ant in the UK (and ants are considered to be among the most common insects in the world). The Royal Society of Biology run flying ant surveys, and found that nearly 90 per cent of the winged ants that grow wings and swam are black garden ants, Lasius niger, also known as the common garden ant.

How many ants are there in these swarms?

Each ant colony can produce thousands of these winged ants, and with many colonies participating at the same time, the number can easily reach millions in one given area. It’s one of nature's best wildlife spectacles.

They form these swarms as protection from predators, with safety in numbers.

Will flying ants sting you?

Although they can be irritating, flying ants are harmless and don't have a sting or bite that can do any real damage to a human, allergies notwithstanding.

Can flying ants really make seagulls drunk?

You may have heard reports of gulls eating so many flying ants that it makes them 'drunk'? Gulls often eat large quantities of these ants when they swarm, and the ants contain formic acid. Consuming a lot of formic acid can affect the seagulls' behaviour, making them seem disoriented or drunk. This phenomenon has been observed, particularly during mass swarming events.

However, according to some experts, including entomology enthusiast Dr Rebecca Nesbi, formic acid is found in higher concentrations in Formica ants than in the species we’re seeing most commonly on flying ant day. "My answer to the question 'can gulls get drunk on flying ants?' would be No," said Dr Nesbi. "Although formic acid can be toxic to birds, it is more likely that they are just too hot and full."

Gull — Dr Nesbi says, "although formic acid can be toxic to birds, it is more likely that they are just too hot and full.". Credit: Getty

Why flying ants are good for the landscape

Flying ants play a key role in improving soil quality, thanks to their tunnelling activity below ground. They also provide food resource for many bird species.

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