The Night Of The Flying Ants?

[rawhod]

Is anyone else experiencing the night of the flying ants tonight? (or is it just us)

Edited May 9, 2013 by rawhod

[stoneyboy]

Have you had rain recently ?

[rawhod]

Have you had rain recently ?

You mustn't live in Chiang Mai if you have to ask...

[ARISTIDE]

Its the flying ants season (in fact they are termites) as I was told by the builder that fix my house ruined by the termites

[rawhod]

Its the flying ants season (in fact they are termites) as I was told by the builder that fix my house ruined by the termites

No...these are definitely big black ants.

[T_Dog]

The ants and termites always take over after the first rains of the season. Not too many this year yet.

[stoneyboy]

Have you had rain recently ?

You mustn't live in Chiang Mai if you have to ask...

No I live in Phetchabun,but had an invasion myself the other night after the rain came.

[Greenside]

We had about a million the other night and they were definitely termites.

[Goshawk]

basically 2 types right now.. maeng mao (more common) often swarms around lights, and maeng mun (prized delicacies that emerge from the ground)

we spent the last 2 early evenings maeng mun hunting.. no luck, although there's been a few for sale in our local market. Expensive they are too...

[ripstanley]

basically 2 types right now.. maeng mao (more common) often swarms around lights, and maeng mun (prized delicacies that emerge from the ground)

we spent the last 2 early evenings maeng mun hunting.. no luck, although there's been a few for sale in our local market. Expensive they are too...

Very correct Goshawk The maeng mun are very prized. The OP could make a good profit

[Gerald14]

Yes we had the with the first rains millions of the b----, flying termites in the first stage. Later they change lose the wings etc.

[masuk]

they are a delicacy, and are nice stir fried - so I'm told.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termite

[rawhod]

They were definitely ants and not termites as you can see from my photo...

Quote...

WINGED ANTS

The majority of ants are wingless. However, at certain times of the year, swarms of winged ants become a common sight. These winged ants often are called alates, swarmers or reproductives. Winged ants have elbowed antennae, thin waists constricted at the thorax and hind wings smaller than their front wings. This helps distinguish them from another insect that produces winged individuals, termites. Winged termites have straight antennae, broad waists and wings that are equal in length.

All ant species include three castes—queens, males and workers. Female winged ants are larger than male winged ants. Worker ants, or infertile female ants, are commonly seen crawling and foraging for food. Some species of ants have winged worker ants, while other species do not. There can be thousands of winged ants in one established colony.

All ant species live in colonies established by fertile females, or queens. Winged female ants and males typically swarm after a day of heavy rain in a particular season. Queens begin as winged ants and usually shed their wings after mating. Reproductive males die soon afterward.

When winged ants are found within a home, it is likely that a colony has already been established or entered through an opening like an open window. A pest control professional should be contacted to treat any ant infestation.

[Phayun]

They were definitely ants and not termites as you can see from my photo...

You are correct:

[sharktooth]

Noticed them on my balcony three nights ago. Woke up to find a million wings and no ants.

[BB1955]

I had them too . Wife turns on the lights at the gate before any lights go on in the house . Once they swarm the gate lights they generally stay there . Then when the neighbors come home and turn on there lights we shut off the gate lights and they go across the street ....

[Goshawk]

basically 2 types right now.. maeng mao (more common) often swarms around lights, and maeng mun (prized delicacies that emerge from the ground)

we spent the last 2 early evenings maeng mun hunting.. no luck, although there's been a few for sale in our local market. Expensive they are too...

Very correct Goshawk The maeng mun are very prized. The OP could make a good profit

These are maeng mun...

paid 20 baht from a friend this morning for this small bag.. (normally around 70 baht in the local market)

[trainman34014]

My Sister-in-Law collects the Maeng Mun, cooks them and sells them in the market. She rings wifey and tells her to collect them as well and they share the proceeds, which are considerable as Thai's love to eat them. Other types are eaten on the ground by Birds once daylight arrives.