Why Do Ants Swarm?
WouterWhether you’re living in a town, apartment, or rural area, you may have noticed that ants swarm. These insects gather in a mass and can even invade your home. But what are the reasons behind the sudden outbreak? Ants are notorious for following pheromone trails.
Swarming is a common phenomenon that occurs on a seasonal basis. During a swarm, ants from different colonies swarm together, maximizing the chance for mating between the colonies. Swarming also increases the likelihood of a queen finding a mate from another colony.
The most common reasons why ants swarm are for mating and to establish a new colony. In general, a swarm is made up of a large percentage of males.
During a swarm, swarmer ants mate with ants from another swarm to help strengthen genetics. After mating, swarmer ants lay eggs in the brood chamber of the new colony.
Swarming can also be caused by ants’ loss of a food source, water loss, or nest disturbance. The amount of pheremone concentration determines the size of the swarm.
Ants use a variety of pheromones for mating and fighting. Workers also leave a chemical trail on their journey. These pheromones tell the ants where to go and which direction to explore.
Ants usually swarm in the late afternoon. However, a swarming event can occur at any time during the summer. During the spring, ants swarm for mating.
Some ants develop wings and fly away from their colonies. These ants are called alates. They do not fare well in disassembly.
