As I was walking round the forest, I noticed something moving on the floor. Upon closer inspection, I realised that the entire track was quite literally crawling with what looked like flying ants. This 'crawling' was evident for the entire 3 miles.

By my calculations, if we estimate that there were 500 beasties per square foot, then in total there were 63,360,000* which is quite a lot. Anyone else noticed more flies and similar this year?


*give or take a dozen or so.

Hit a "patch" of them when out riding yesterday. Maybe a km or so, the road was crawling with them and it was hard to breathe without inhaling some. I had quite a few in under my clothing when I got home.

Are they one of those: gone in a day type things?

I noticed two large “patches” of them riding home the other day, huge clouds that required me to put my mask on!!!

I can't say I have noticed more than usual, but I do wonder how and why all these ants know to start flying at the same time.
Is it some kind of lunar pull or sense? Because surely it can not be temperature or rain based. It does always seem to be relatively close to August BH.

I've been thinking that there seem to be more insects around this year too....

Opposite for me, seeing far fewer insects, and I’ve only seen 6 wasps!

I’ve seen more bees and wasps this year than I can remember for quite a while. The heather out front had what looked like 3 different species swarming all over it and the head height honeysuckle had loads of small bees or wasps hovering up and f out down it.

Apparently warm and wet weather leads to bumper populations of insects and spiders

Anyone else noticed more flies and similar this year?

No - we sent them all over to you...

Encountered swarms of flying ants up the top of Shutlingsloe (edge of the Peaks) yesterday. Usually busy, especially when the sun's out. Can see why no one was sticking around though. You could see them swarming and there was a constant mosquito-esque drone round the trig.

Yes Wednesday about a mile was just them everywhere ( they stayed on the ground but grim

do wonder how and why all these ants know to start flying at the same time.

text message is my guess (long period of warm humid weather is the boring but correct answer

More importantly, when do they go away again?

Fewer here too but lots of ants. I am prepping my meadow area and keep ripping the top off ants nests.
Usually have flying things stomping around inside my helmet but seems to be fewer this year.
This is not true for horseflies but even only had one bite this year.
I have been studying one - named Mr Angry - that occupies the patio table and attacks any other flying insect that comes into its air space.
Not so brave when the Dragonflies come close.