If you live in the UK, you’ve probably experienced the sight of flying ants swarming around during the summer months. These winged insects are ants in their reproductive phase, who’ve left their nest to find a mate and set up a colony. But do flying ants bite humans?
Types of Flying Ants in the UK
In the UK, there are two dominant types of flying ants: the black garden ant (Lasius niger) and red ants (Myrmica rubra).
Black ants
The black garden ant, also known as the common ant, is easily recognizable by its black or dark brown body.
Red ants
Red ants, on the other hand, as their name suggests, are red in colour. Red ants live in gardens and fields, and they are sometimes referred to as European Fire Ants.
Do Flying Ants Bite?
Both black ants and red ants fly, but only the red ants will hurt humans. About 90% of all flying ants in the UK are black ants. Whether you get stung by a flying ant depends on which of the two types of flying ant you’ve encountered.
Black flying ants have weak mandibles that can’t bite through human skin, and they do not have a stinger. Red ants do have a stinger located on their abdomen, which they can use to deliver a painful, venomous sting if they feel threatened. Red ants also bite humans with their mandibles.
How to protect yourself from flying ants
Flying ants tend to swarm in warmer months, on days with little to no breeze. In the UK, July is normally the month that has the largest amount of flying ant activity. When flying ants are out, there are certain precautions you can take to protect yourself and your property:
Protecting your property
Red ants do not like to nest indoors, but black ants love nesting in homes because of the easy access to foods. If you notice that black flying ants are swarming in your area, you should close windows and doors for the next couple of days to make sure they don’t make their way inside. Remember, flying ants are female queens that plan to become fertilised by a male ant before starting a colony. For obvious reasons, it’s best if that colony is not inside your home or business!
Flying black ants are inside my home or business. What should I do?
If flying ants are inside your premises, you will want to ensure they don’t build a colony. If a few flying ants have only just come in, you can simply capture them with a jar and a piece of card and put them outside before they make their way into a little nook to start their colony. If they have already created a colony, then you might want to call Merlin pest control or use this highly effective DIY solution. If you call Merlin, we’ll come round ASAP and use special, fast acting, industrial grade solutions to eliminate ants quickly and safely.
Protecting yourself
Black flying ants don’t bite, but red flying ants do. If red flying ants are out in force, it’s best to be precautious. Avoid venturing out in shorts and t-shirt to help protect your skin. The risk of ants’ biting you is very small, as long as you don’t try and hurt them. Just leave them alone to do their thing in peace and try to avoid getting close to them. They aren’t interested in biting you and will only do so if they think you are trying to hurt them. They will clear off in a day or two. If a red flying ant lands on you, brush it off quickly. Do not try to squash it.
What to do if you’ve been stung by a red flying ant?
In most cases, flying ant bites can be treated at home with over-the-counter creams or antihistamines. These products can help to reduce the itching and swelling associated with the bite. It’s important to avoid scratching the bite, as this can lead to further irritation and even infection. If you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat, seek medical attention immediately. More info can be found here on NHS website.
