Cornfield Ant Swarm Season Is Coming to Central and Coastal Maine
If you step outside on a warm afternoon over the next few weeks and notice a number of flying ants over the lawn, don’t be surprised. Cornfield ant swarm season is approaching in Maine.
Cornfield ant swarm season is approaching in Maine.
Cornfield ants are extremely common in lawns, along driveways, and around other sunny, open areas. Most of the time, they’re pretty easy to overlook. But in late summer, that can change quickly when winged ants emerge from established colonies and take to the air.
By the second half of August, we’re entering the time of year when these late-summer flights can occur. So, if flying ants suddenly start showing up over the lawn, there’s a good chance cornfield ants could be behind all that activity.
When Do Cornfield Ants Swarm in Maine?
Cornfield ants (Lasius neoniger) are especially common in turf. In fact, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension describes them as the most common ant species found in lawns and other grassy areas throughout New England.
Around Maine properties, they often nest in lawns, beneath stones and bricks, and near sidewalks, driveways, and other sunny, open areas.
Late summer is when things can become much more noticeable. UMaine documented a winged cornfield ant queen during a swarm in Wales, Maine, on August 28, 2023, providing a good example of when these flights can occur.
As late August approaches, homeowners in Augusta, Waterville, Brunswick, and communities throughout Central and Coastal Maine may start noticing clouds of winged cornfield ants over lawns and other sunny areas around their properties.
Why Are There Suddenly Flying Ants Over the Lawn?
A cornfield ant colony can go unnoticed for much of the year. You might see a few workers crossing the driveway or notice a little loose soil around an opening in the lawn and think little of it.
Then the swarm season arrives.
Winged males and queens leave mature colonies to mate. After mating, the queens head off in search of suitable places to start new colonies.
When a large number of ants emerge around the same time, a colony that was barely noticeable a day ago can suddenly be pretty hard to miss.
And yes, seeing dozens—or even more—flying ants swarming over part of the yard can be a little startling.
The good news is that a late-summer swarm doesn't necessarily mean your home is infested. According to UMaine Cooperative Extension, cornfield ants primarily live outdoors. They may occasionally wander inside looking for food, but they very rarely nest in homes.
Where Do Cornfield Ants Nest Around Maine Homes?
Despite the name, you definitely don't need to live next to a cornfield to have cornfield ants.
Around homes in Central and Coastal Maine, common nesting spots include:
Lawns and other sunny grassy areas
Along driveways and walkways
Beneath stones and bricks
Near sidewalks and other paved areas
You may also notice small amounts of loose soil around a nest opening where ants have been excavating underground.
If you've seen ants coming and going from the same part of the lawn this summer, keep an eye on that area as August moves along. An established colony can become much easier to spot once the winged ants emerge.
Are Those Cornfield Ants or Carpenter Ants?
Cornfield ants aren't the only winged ants Maine homeowners may run into, but the time of year can give you an important clue.
Carpenter ants generally have their mating flights earlier in the season, with winged ants leaving established colonies in spring or early summer. Cornfield ants can take flight much later, as the August 2023 swarm documented in Wales shows.
Where they're coming from can offer another clue. If a swarm is rising from a sunny lawn or another open area in late summer, cornfield ants are a possibility. Large winged ants showing up in or around the house—especially earlier in the season—could point to carpenter ants.
Carpenter ants are also considerably larger than cornfield ants.
Of course, ants don't always make identification easy. If you're seeing a lot of winged ants and aren't sure what kind they are, having them properly identified is the best way to know what you're dealing with.
What If Cornfield Ants Are Taking Over Your Yard?
Seeing an occasional cornfield ant outdoors isn't usually a big deal. They're a normal part of Maine's insect population.
But if ants seem to be everywhere around the property, they're repeatedly making their way indoors, or you're not sure whether those winged ants are cornfield ants, carpenter ants, or something else, it may be time to have someone take a look.
That's where Advanced Pest Solutions can help.
Our local, family-owned pest control team works with homeowners throughout Central and Coastal Maine, and we know the ant species that tend to show up around Maine homes throughout the season. Cornfield ants are among the pests covered by Advanced's residential pest control programs.
If you're seeing ants all over the lawn, finding them indoors, or simply aren't sure what kind of ant you're dealing with, contact Advanced Pest Solutions to request an estimate. Our local team can identify what's going on and recommend the right solution for your property.