Many homeowners, tenants, and businesses are familiar with the problem: Suddenly, ants appear in large numbers. Especially in early summer or summer, they move across patios, paths, window areas, or even through interior spaces. Ant gel is often used in these situations. However, it is precisely during this phase that the gel is often barely accepted.
This does not automatically mean that the ant gel is poor quality or ineffective. Very often, the cause is the ants’ nuptial flight. During this phase, the colony’s behavior changes significantly. The visible ants are often not worker ants searching for food, but winged reproductive ants.
What is the nuptial flight in ants?
The nuptial flight is the reproductive phase of an ant colony. During this period, winged queens and males leave the nest to mate and establish new colonies.
The nuptial flight is typically characterized by:
- sudden mass appearances of winged ants
- large numbers of ants on windows, doors, façades, patios, or near light sources
- short but highly noticeable swarming activity
- frequent occurrence in warm, humid weather
Especially in commonly occurring pavement ants, the nuptial flight can be very alarming for customers. The number of ants may look dramatic, but biologically it is initially a natural process.
Why do ants accept gel less readily during the nuptial flight?
Ant gel works through feeding. Worker ants consume the bait, carry it onward, and distribute it throughout the colony. This mechanism is crucial to its success.
During the nuptial flight, however, you often mainly see winged ants. These ants are not responsible for searching for food. Their goal is reproduction, not feeding. For this reason, ant gel is often accepted less readily or not at all during this phase.
What should you do if the ant gel is not accepted?
If ant gel is not accepted during the nuptial flight, you should not immediately apply more indiscriminately or spray additional insecticide. A structured approach is better.
First, check whether it really is a nuptial flight. It is then important to locate the active worker trails. The bait can be placed precisely there. Competing food sources should be removed. Customers should also avoid using sprays, vinegar, baking soda, or strongly scented cleaning products at the same time.
In cases of heavy or recurring infestations, a professional assessment is advisable, especially if ants are emerging from cavities, joints, insulation, wall connections, or sensitive areas.
Professional ant control requires patience and expertise
Successful ant control involves more than simply applying gel. The key factors are:
- identifying the ant species
- locating nests and activity trails
- eliminating factors that promote infestation
- choosing suitable bait
- placing it correctly
- monitoring bait acceptance
- follow-up treatment if required
Clear information is particularly important during the nuptial flight. The visible number of ants may be very high for a short time, even though gel treatment may be accepted only to a limited extent at that moment.
Conclusion: Poor gel acceptance during the nuptial flight is normal
If ants accept gel less readily during the nuptial flight, this can be explained biologically. The visible winged ants are not ordinary worker ants and generally do not consume the bait. To achieve control, the worker ants that search for food and carry it back to the nest must be reached.
Ant gel can still be an important part of ant control, but timing, placement, and accompanying measures determine its success.
For persistent ant infestations, poor bait acceptance, or uncertainty about the correct procedure, Kaeferlingpro.com offers professional advice and support from experienced specialists.
Expert Knowledge: Recognizing the Nuptial Flight and Using Bait Correctly
Poor bait acceptance does not automatically mean that the ant gel is unsuitable. Winged reproductive ants are often present during the nuptial flight. They do not search for food and therefore generally do not consume the bait.
The online training course “Expert Knowledge: Ants” from Kaeferling Academy teaches participants how to correctly identify ant species and infestation situations, assess them systematically, and select suitable control measures. It also covers targeted bait strategies, safe product use, typical application errors, as well as prevention and follow-up care.
The fully online training course comprises ten lessons with instructional videos, PDF materials, knowledge checks, and a final examination. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.
It is suitable for commercial and private users who want to professionally assess ant infestations, swarming activity, and poor bait acceptance.
Book the “Expert Knowledge: Ants” online training course now
