Flying ants invasion nearly over, says bug expert

A rainy June and a hot summer have produced the perfect recipe for swarms of flying ants.

Some Calgarians trying to have a barbeque or a drink at a patio bar were inundated with the bugs, but experts say the problem is already mostly over.

Calgarian Rich Merkel says he’s noticed a ton of ants in his garden.

"They're in all my plants so ... even though I’m a nature lover, they better not fool with my flowers," says Merkel.

Entomologist Ken Fry at Olds College says the ants aren't really interested in eating your plants or attacking you although they can bite if they're bothered.

Actually, he says the ants are more interested in each other.

Once they mate, Fry says the males die while the females head off to find a nice place to survive the winter.

Fry says people are really noticing the flying ants this summer because they're emerging all at once.

"Numbers are what's most noticeable this year and it's likely due to the high productivity of this summer ... good moisture for the plant material to get going in the spring, good heat units for good reproduction, food availability."

Fry says the good news for those bothered by the ants is that the sudden emergence, and mating, doesn't last long so any nuisance factor is likely already gone in most areas.