Irish urged to do 8 things in home NOW amid ‘larger than usual swarms' warning as thousands of flying bugs to hit skies
Every
2
The 'Flying Ant Day' sees millions of bugs take to the sky at once
'Flying Ant Day', also known as the nuptial flight, is not a single-day event but an extended period during which winged ants emerge from their nests to mate mid-air and establish new colonies.
This year, the alternating spells of wet and warm
And high humidity can help to keep ants' wings and bodies moist during flight.
This swarming strategy is believed to help more ants survive by overwhelming their predators such as swifts and gulls.
Read more in News
After mating mid-air, the male ants, which are smaller, fall to the ground and die, while the newly fertilized female queens shed their wings and burrow into the soil to nest and start new colonies.
The event also sees millions of bugs take to the sky at once.
The winged ants are harmless and won't bite or invade your property permanently - in fact they can be beneficial as they feed birds, aerate soil and recycle nutrients.
However, they can understandably be a nuisance if you want to sit out with a drink in the sun.
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
Ireland's leading pest control provider Rentokil has issued a warning of increased ant activity in the coming weeks.
From worm bread to mealworm kebabs... could eating bugs and insects in everyday food be the future?
Colm Moore, Regional Technical Manager for Rentokil in Ireland, said: 'We expect to see high levels of
"While people often refer to 'Flying Ant Day', it is in reality a series of swarming events that take place over several weeks.
"These insects may be a nuisance, particularly during outdoor dining or events, but they also play a role in the ecosystem, aerating the soil and serving as food for birds.
'However,
"Ants leave pheromone trails when they find a food source, attracting more ants to the area. Prevention is key to avoiding a problem."
EIGHT THINGS TO DO NOW TO SEAL HOME
Here are some ant prevention tips from the pest experts at Rentokil...
Block entry points by sealing cracks and crevices around doors, windows and pipework.
Sweep up food debris from under kitchen appliances and units.
Clear up any food or liquid spillages immediately.
Store your food in airtight containers wherever possible.
If you have a pest, clear away uneaten food promptly.
Make sure all rubbish bins have tightly sealed lids.
Keep compost enclosed in your garden.
Keep windows and doors shut, or install fly screens to allow ventilation while keeping insects out.
While these seasonal swarms may disrupt a picnic or barbeque, they are a natural and temporary part of the summer months.
To prevent ants and other pests from entering your home, it's important to seal any cracks or gaps around doors, windows, and pipework using caulk or appropriate sealants.
Households are also advised to regularly sweep and clean under kitchen appliances and cabinets to remove any food crumbs or debris that may attract ants and other insects.
Use bins with secure, tightly fitting lids to stop ants from accessing food waste and empty them regularly to avoid a build-up.
Clean surfaces thoroughly with a strong detergent to eliminate the invisible pheromone trails left by foraging ants, which can otherwise lead more ants straight to a food source in your home.
Vinegar spray and other essential oils can also be used as natural deterrents around entry points.
If ants do find their way in, don't kill them near food, as this can attract more to follow.
Instead vacuum them up and remove them from your house.
2
The warm weather is likely to create the ideal conditions for larger-than-usual swarms this year
Credit: Getty
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Irish urged to do 8 things in home NOW amid ‘larger than usual swarms' warning as thousands of flying bugs to hit skies
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The Irish Sun
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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Warning issued ahead of annual 'Flying Ant Day' in Ireland
A warning has been issued ahead of 'Flying Ant Day', with Rentokil offering some prevention tips to counteract the increased ant activity over the weeks ahead. 'Flying Ant Day', which is more formally referred to as the nuptial flight, is not actually a single-day event but rather, an extended period of time when winged ants leave their nests to mate mid-air to establish new colonies. Because of the fluctuation between wet and warm weather this summer, it is likely to bring about the perfect conditions for greater swarms. The increase in humidity is also set to help keep ants' wings and bodies moist while flying. "We expect to see high levels of ant activity this summer, particularly during warm and humid spells in July and August," Colm Moore, Regional Technical Manager for Rentokil in Ireland, said. "While people often refer to 'Flying Ant Day', it is in reality a series of swarming events that take place over several weeks. These insects may be a nuisance, particularly during outdoor dining or events, but they also play a role in the ecosystem, aerating the soil and serving as food for birds. "However, ant infestations in homes or businesses can escalate quickly. Ants leave pheromone trails when they find a food source, attracting more ants to the area. Prevention is key to avoiding a problem." Rentokil has issued some advice to limit the effects of the 'Flying Ant Day':
