Flying Ants

Flying Ants Armies Overrun Jakarta’s Commuter Line During the Rainy Season

Share:

As the rainy season enveloped Jakarta, a multitude of natural events unfolded within this bustling metropolis. On November 7, 2023, an extraordinary occurrence took place when countless flying ants swarmed the commuter line train carriages in the city.

A video capturing this phenomenon was shared on Instagram through the account @jktcreativemedia, revealing a massive swarm of flying ants inside the carriages and on the station platform. Passengers appeared visibly unsettled as these flying ants darted in various directions, causing significant disruption.

 


Since its initial upload, the video has garnered over 90,000 views and has received numerous comments from commuter line users. Many of them noted that the presence of flying ant in the video signified the onset of the rainy season in Jakarta.

This occurrence is not unfamiliar in Indonesia. Being a tropical country, various insect species coexist with the daily lives of its inhabitants, and flying ants are among the insects that emerge only as the year draws to a close and the rainy season approaches.

What You Need to Know About Flying Ants

Flying Ants
Source: The Spruce

Flying ant belong to the category of winged termites and are characterized by their brown color and transparent wings. They are relatively small, measuring around 8.5 to 9.7 mm. Typically, flying ants emerge as the air temperature rises, leaving their nests when the local temperature reaches 25-28 °C.

These insects are strongly attracted to sources of bright light, which often leads to clusters of flying ants around house lights and other illuminated public areas. They commonly shed their wings as part of their reproductive process, leaving these wings on the floor or ground.

To mitigate issues with flying ant, it’s advisable to extinguish light sources such as lamps, electronic devices, and televisions. Additionally, sealing off ventilation openings in the house can help prevent moths from entering.

Interested in this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat!

Share:

Content Writer

Yuriz absolutely loves content writing and exploring the nitty-gritty of various topics. It all started by chance, but writing quickly became an essential part of her life! Plus, she is a huge K-pop fan, jamming out to it all day, every day!

Related News

September is a great time to meet new people, build professional connections and become more involved in the expat community in Jakarta. As the month gets underway, Social Expat is bringing together a varied programme of community events designed for expats and locals who want to socialise, network and make new connections. From singles nights […]

Jakarta Dessert Week (JDW) returns to the capital from 1–20 September 2026, bringing together pastry chefs, restaurants, emerging dessert makers and creative brands across the city. This year, however, the festival is looking beyond the dessert plate. Its chosen theme: Dangdut, turns one of Indonesia’s most recognisable musical traditions into a broader conversation about culture, […]

The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday, 15 August 2026, has risen to 68, with 213 people reported injured, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as reported by ANTARA News. The earthquake struck Flores early on Saturday morning, with its epicentre near Nagekeo in […]

Moving to a new city such as Jakarta involves many adjustments, including navigating the healthcare system. For expatriates, dental care is often one of the first services they seek, whether for routine check-ups, preventive care or urgent treatment. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare can make the experience smoother, safer and more reassuring. […]

Expat Events

Indonesia Visas

Expat Event

Social Networking
IDR 200.000
Poolside, Grand Hyatt Jakarta
Social Networking
IDR 150.000
Erre & Urrechu, Gran Melia
Business Networking
IDR 150.000
Parc & 9th, Le Parc Residence

Indonesia Guide

Just For Fun

Write For Us

Exclusive Promotions

Event Gallery