ANT-MAGEDDON!
It’s Flying Ant Day! Millions of bugs swarm across UK in breeding frenzy
MILLIONS of flying ants have swarmed the country today in a breeding frenzy.
Social media has been abuzz with pictures of the insects encroaching pavements and back gardens.
4
But some pictures also showed dozens of seagulls circling through the skies.
The insects are known for making a yearly appearance in the warmer months, but there is one day in the year when they flee their nests across the country.
That day is Flying Ant Day, and this year it took place today on July 16.
Male and female ants head out of their nests in a bid to look for other ants to mate with.
Queen ants emerge from the nest to begin their nuptial flight with the male ants usually flying alongside.
Birds, especially seagulls, spot the insects and flock out in huge numbers in a bid to feast on the flying ants.
Bill Lankford said on Twitter: "It always amazes me how ants of same species but in different nests, synchronise nuptial flights.
"It's flying ant day here."
Twitter user April photographed the birds appearing eager to catch the insects, and she said: "Happy flying ant day, the seagulls are loving it!"
Not all Brits appeared amazed at the phenomenon, with one social media user tweeting: "While walking home a Flying Ant flew in my nose.
"IN MY NOSE!"
FLYING ANT DAY
The flying ant season usually happens in July, lasting up to two weeks.
It's thought that the phenomenon is provoked by wet weather followed by hot, humid conditions - but boffins have suggested it might not be as predictable as first thought.
Flying Ant Day occurs when the ants sprout their wings and head off on what's known as a "nuptial flight".
During this time, the insects look around to find a mate, before landing to start a new colony.
Queen ants emerge from the nest to begin their nuptial flight with the male ants usually flying alongside.
The most common type of wflying ant is the black garden variety (the Lasius niger), hose nests have a single queen and anything from 5,000 to 15,000 workers.
MOST READ NEWS
Thankfully there are ways to get rid of the insects, if they are stopping you from getting on with your gardening.
You can try spraing them with dish-washing soap mixed with water; it makes the ants dehydrated.
Aspartame-based sweetener can also be used, but experts have disagreed on how effective this method is.
Combining it with juice to form a paste means the critters will carry it back to their colony - killing off some of the ant population in the process.
4
4
4
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.