As Wales braces itself for predicted thunderstorms after days of immense heat throughout the country, experts say it is highly likely we're set to see an invasion of flying ants in the coming days.
Founder of Gardening Express, Chris Bonnett, says that Flying Ant Day usually takes place around mid to late August, and typically happens after a heatwave.
It comes as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering the whole of Wales. The warning covers the whole of Tuesday and includes most of England, excluding the south east, as well. There is also a warning warning for thunderstorms which will run all day on Monday from 10am meaning Wales will be under a warning for 38 hours. You can read more about that by clicking here.
READ MORE: Hour-by-hour forecast for Monday and Tuesday as Wales faces prospect of storms
Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress, said: “Most of us have been enjoying the heatwave but while we’ve been making the most of the sun, a storm has been brewing. There is no specific day for Flying Ant Day, it’s usually just around mid to late August and it typically happens after a heatwave.
“The reason for this being that ants prefer humid weather and they use this time to get on the lookout for a new home and whilst that’s all well and good, it becomes a real nuisance for those of us who enjoy spending time in our gardens and outdoors. Ants in the UK aren’t dangerous but they can be extremely irritating."
The expert has also provided tips on what you can do to get rid of flying ants if you encounter a problem where you live.
He says: "Place tin cans on top of the ants’ soil mounds in the morning, and they’ll move their eggs into the tins during the day as they heat up. Slide a card under the tin in the afternoon, and you can then dispose of the next generation of ants before they’ve even had a chance to become a nuisance.
"If you don’t mind using a traditional chemical treatment, dust ant powder around doors, patios or other dry areas where any pathways are spotted. These powders also work on other crawling insects and wasps too. But it’s worth being extra careful how and where you use them, especially if you have young children around.
"Boiling water is particularly good for cracks in paving, or nests in lawns where any activity is spotted. Simply pour boiling water onto the area and this should not only get rid of any ants you can see, but any pupae it touches as far as it penetrates the ground. Try to avoid your flower beds and borders, or any planters, as you don’t want to steam your coleus in the process.
"Washing up liquid works just the same way as it would be used on your plants for aphids – just add a generous squirt to a spray bottle filled with water, shake to disperse and get spraying those ants.
"Artificial sweetener is one to put you off using the stuff yourself, as it is deadly to insects. You’ll need to mix it with something like apple juice to make it palatable to the ants, but this then creates a paste that is toxic to them. Simply pour a bit near to nesting sites and the ants will carry it back to the colony – meaning masses of them will consume the poisonous paste and knockback the population.
"Sprinkling cayenne pepper and cinnamon around your plants and garden will help keep ants at bay. Ants hate the smell of things like cayenne pepper, cinnamon, mint and garlic.
And similar to the washing up liquid trick, simply fill a spray bottle with a mixture of water and white vinegar and get spraying. If you find you need something stronger you can ditch the water and spray affected areas with white vinegar alone."
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