We get an invasion of thousands of flying ants every August. They shoot out from under rocks, the steps, patio and flower beds like "fireworks". As soon as we see them coming, I spray them with RAID and also the holes they're coming from. The only place where I can't spray is under the rocks around our pond as insecticides would seriously damage the fish and plants in the pond. Why are they coming out by the thousands and what can we do to get rid of them? We have tiny red ants all over our LARGE YARD and they are really irritating me to no end. This annual ritual is something I could live without!!!!!!!

Sounds neat!  But I guess only an exterminator would say that.  Actually, as long as the ants aren't bothering you by getting inside, biting or tearing up your lawn or garden, there isn't anything you HAVE to do.  The flying stage is just "Nature" - their way of reproducing and it can happen every year - as you have noted. You CAN do something about them, but it requires you to use an insecticide on your lawn (or wherever they are) and you might have to do this a couple of times.  It wouldn't hurt the plants in the pond, it might well kill the fish. My take?  If they're not bothering you, don't worry about it and don't waste money buying the Raid. If you want to do something yourself, get back to me and I'll give you all the gory details! Hope this helps. ----john

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