Most ant colonies swarm around the same time each year, like clockwork. WHY DO YOU SEE MULTIPLE SWARMS AT THE SAME TIME? Swarming helps keep predators away (strength in numbers), and itвЂ™s why ants that fly are commonly referred to as вЂџswarmers.вЂќ This flight is commonly referred to as a вЂџnuptial flightвЂќ or вЂџdispersal.вЂќ You might know it by a different name, based on the antsвЂ™ tendency to gather in large clusters during this mass exodus: a swarm. Mature male and female ants fly out of their colonies with one purpose in mind: to mate. When the ant colony is naturally ready to expand, the winged ants get ready to take the stage. These are the вЂџreproductivesвЂќ of the colony, created by the вЂџqueenвЂќ and fed by the вЂџworkers.вЂќ The reproductives go through their immature stages developing inside of the colony. Flying ants, or вЂџalates,вЂќ as entomologists refer to them, are simply ants that are sexually mature. WHY ARE THERE FLYING ANTS IN THE FIRST PLACE?ДЄnts that fly arenвЂ™t some kind of genetic mutation.

Winged ants become even more imposing when they swarm during mating periods, gathering at specific landmarks in a behavior called вЂџhilltopping.вЂќ These swarms are an impressive sight to behold, but do you really need to fear them? Ants are typically seen crawling on the ground, so itвЂ™s shocking when ants with wings start buzzing around. Insects that fly are frightening enough, but flying ants might be even scarier.

Ants that swarm queen ant