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.
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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 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.
