I thought my patio had been invaded by hundreds of flying ants – then I discovered it was one of nature's strangest summer events

One early evening last week, I looked out onto my patio, and I genuinely thought that something had gone very, very wrong.

Hundreds of flying ants (I'm not exaggerating) had suddenly appeared, swirling around in what looked like complete chaos. My husband and I stood staring at it, trying to figure out what on earth was happening. Our first instinct was to just run in and shut the door, as we had no intention of letting them continue the party inside the house.

We were convinced there had to be a reason they'd chosen our patio. Had we left food out or were they attracted to something we'd done in the garden? It all seemed a bit bizarre, so naturally, I did what I usually do and googled it.

I found out that what I had just witnessed wasn't actually an insect invasion, since there wasn't anything to draw them to that area. And what we'd stumbled across was actually one of nature's annual events. It's something called the nuptial flight.

So I asked experts for some more information on it, so if you come across clouds of flying ants yourself, you'll know what it is and whether there's a need to panic as I did (understandably so if you look at what we witnessed below).

According to Mosh Latifi, co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management, what I witnessed was completely normal.

'What you witnessed is one of nature's most spectacular annual events. The nuptial flight is the moment when the black garden ant colony releases its winged reproductive ants, the queens and males, to mate in the air,' he explains.

'Multiple colonies in the same area respond to the same weather trigger simultaneously, which is why it looks like the ants have appeared from everywhere at once. It can genuinely feel alarming if you do not know what it is, but it is completely natural and typically lasts only a few hours to a day.'

I'd also assumed they had flown into our garden from elsewhere, but, according to Mosh, the reality was quite literally much closer to home.

'Paved surfaces such as patios and driveways absorb and retain heat, creating warm thermal pockets above them that flying ants actively seek out for their nuptial flights. If you have ant colonies established beneath or around your patio slabs, those are almost certainly the source. The ants emerge through the gaps between slabs rather than flying in from elsewhere, which is why it can look like they appeared from nowhere.'

And the timing wasn't a coincidence either, according to Daniel Steward from Shield Pest Control. 'Flying ants are most commonly seen during warm and humid spells, typically between July and August in the UK. Many people refer to 'Flying Ant Day ', but it's not usually a single day. Different colonies can emerge over several days or even weeks depending on weather conditions. Warm temperatures followed by rain or humid air create the ideal conditions for swarms to appear.'

Mosh adds that the weather is the key trigger. 'The trigger is a very specific combination of weather conditions: warm temperatures, high humidity and calm air, usually following a period of rain. This is why it tends to happen on muggy, overcast days, rather than the brightest summer days. When those conditions align, colonies across a wide area release their flying ants almost simultaneously. After mating in the air, the males die and the fertilised queens land, shed their wings and attempt to start new colonies underground.'

The good news is that if you do experience this, there's very little you actually need to do.

'The nuptial flight itself is a one-off event and will pass on its own within hours, so trying to intervene in the moment is usually more trouble than it's worth,' says Mosh. For the longer term, keeping patio joints well-filled with polymeric jointing sand (like this Rhino Power Bond Plus, £59.95 at Amazon) removes the entry and exit points that ants use, which reduces how many colonies can establish beneath your paving.'

Peppermint oil (this 100ml bottle is perfect, from Amazon) sprayed around the patio perimeter is a deterrent to foraging ants throughout the season and makes the area less hospitable for colony establishment in the first place.'

Daniel also recommends focusing on prevention rather than reacting once the swarm has started.

'Flying ants are also attracted to food residue and moisture, so keeping kitchens clean, wiping away sugary spills quickly and fixing leaks or damp areas can help make properties less appealing to them. Outdoors, keeping bins sealed and removing excess food waste from patios and outdoor dining areas can also reduce attraction.'

'For those looking for natural deterrents, diluted vinegar sprays (like Miniml white vinegar spray from Amazon) or soapy water can help disrupt ant scent trails around entry points such as windowsills, door frames and patios. Strong-smelling scents such as peppermint and citrus can also help discourage ants from settling in certain areas, although these solutions usually need regular reapplication during warmer weather.'

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However, he adds that if you notice 'persistent ant activity indoors or large numbers emerging from walls, flooring or brickwork, it may indicate a nest close to the property. In these cases, it's best to contact a professional pest specialist, who can safely identify the source of the infestation and recommend the most effective long-term treatment.'

Thankfully, in our case, the swarm disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. They were partied out by later that evening.

So there you have it! Now that I know what nuptial flight is, I won't be as freaked out if it happens again.

So if you suddenly find yourself fleeing from your patio because hundreds of flying ants have just descended, there's no need to fear. It's just a strange summer spectacle that looks dramatic, but is actually completely normal.

And... breathe....