Huge swarms of flying ants have been seen around Liverpool city centre, causing frustration among residents and visitors. The sudden appearance of the insects over the past couple of days has made it difficult for people to walk down the street without wafting them away.
Why are flying ants appearing?
Warm weather and high humidity are the main triggers for flying ants, with recent rainfall also contributing. The phenomenon, known as Flying Ant Day, occurs when winged male and female ants leave their colonies to mate and start new ones. According to the Royal Society of Biology, there is not always a single day; around 96% of days between June and September bring sightings of flying ant swarms.
Public reaction and expert advice
Many people across Merseyside took to Reddit on Tuesday, July 28, to express frustration. One user asked: "Anyone know what’s up with the flies in the centre of town?" Another wrote: "Just got swarmed heading into my back garden. Seems to be flying ant time." A third commented: "It’s like the plague has arrived," while a fourth said: "It's flying ant day."
Liverpool Pest Control said it has seen a "significant increase in enquiries" this year. In a statement shared with the ECHO, the company said: "We’ve certainly noticed a significant increase in enquiries relating to flying ants this year. It’s been one of the busiest summers we’ve experienced for this type of seasonal pest, with considerably more customer enquiries than we would typically expect."
The company explained: "Flying ants are a completely natural seasonal phenomenon, known as the nuptial flight. During this period, winged male and female ants leave their established colonies to mate and start new ones. While it can appear as though there’s a sudden infestation across the city, it’s actually thousands of colonies emerging at around the same time. The prolonged spells of warm weather, higher temperatures and occasional humid conditions we’ve experienced this summer have likely created ideal conditions for these swarms, which is why so many people are noticing them simultaneously."
Advice from the experts adds: "Although they can be alarming due to the sheer numbers, they are generally harmless and the swarms usually disappear within a day or two." They also note that if flying ants repeatedly emerge from inside a property, it could indicate an established nest, and professional assessment may be needed. Their key message: "Our advice is not to panic. In most cases, the swarms are short-lived and form part of the ants’ natural life cycle."
The increase comes after months of hot weather in Merseyside. While some UK areas are experiencing a fourth heatwave, temperatures in the North West are set to remain in the mid 20s this week.
