Nuptial flights
When and where to catch a queen ant in Texas
18 species that commonly fly in Texas, with their usual months, the weather to watch for and a way to start each one.
| Species | Flight months | Ideal conditions | Queen size | Type | Recommended setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern black carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus | April to July | Warm evenings, often the day after rain | about 16 to 18 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Red carpenter ant Camponotus chromaiodes | April to June | Warm evenings in spring | about 16 to 18 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Winter ant Prenolepis imparis | February to April | Cool, damp days; the first flight of the year | about 7.5 to 8.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Big-headed ant Pheidole bicarinata | June to August | Warm, humid days | about 5.5 to 6.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Thief ant Solenopsis molesta | July to September | Warm, humid days | about 4 to 5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| American carpenter ant Camponotus americanus | April to June | Warm, humid evenings | about 14 to 17 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Pavement ant Tetramorium immigrans | May to July | Warm, humid days; often seen on pavement | about 7 to 8.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Pale field ant Formica pallidefulva | June to August | Warm, sunny days in spring | about 9 to 11 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Winnow ant Aphaenogaster rudis | June to August | Warm days in spring | about 7 to 8 mm | Fully or semi-claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Acrobat ant Crematogaster cerasi | July to September | Warm, humid evenings | about 7 to 8 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Little black ant Monomorium minimum | June to August | Warm, humid days | about 4 to 4.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Odorous house ant Tapinoma sessile | May to July | Warm, humid days | about 4.5 to 5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Big-headed ant Pheidole dentata | May to August | Warm, humid evenings | about 6 to 7 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta | March to October | Warm, humid days after rain | about 8 to 10 mm | Fully claustral | Not recommended See the Scout |
| Red harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus | June to August | Humid mornings after monsoon-season rain | about 11 to 12 mm | Semi-claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| California harvester ant Pogonomyrmex californicus | July to August | Warm mornings after summer rain | about 8 to 10 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Desert honeypot ant Myrmecocystus mimicus | July to September | Evenings after monsoon-season rain | about 10 to 12 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Northern fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex septentrionalis | May to June | Warm evenings after rain | about 8 to 10 mm | Needs a fungus garden | Needs a fungus garden we do not supply See the Scout |
How to use this table
Months are approximate. Flights follow warm, humid weather, often after rain, and shift from year to year and across the state. For the weather signs and what to do with a queen, read how to catch a queen.
A queen starts best in a test tube. The Scout takes a 16 mm tube as it is, and the Founder is the next room. See Start here for the order.
Want to see what flies this month? Use the live flight finder.
Before you catch
American Ant makes housing equipment only: nests, outworlds and parts. We do not sell or ship live ants. Check your state and local rules before catching or keeping any ant. Some species, such as imported fire ants, are regulated.
Questions about Texas
- What is the easiest beginner queen ant to catch in Texas?
- Camponotus pennsylvanicus (Eastern black carpenter ant), Camponotus chromaiodes (Red carpenter ant), Camponotus americanus (American carpenter ant) are among the easier queens to start in Texas. Months and conditions vary by year.
- When do queen ants fly in Texas?
- Across the species listed for Texas, flights fall roughly between February to October. Each species has its own months, and weather decides the exact day.
- Does American Ant sell queens or colonies?
- No. American Ant makes nests, outworlds and parts only. We do not sell live ants.