Things Are Hotting Up In More Ways Than One.
Summer Insect Activity In SOUTH YORKSHIRE AND DERBYSHIRE
We have had a bit of a heatwave during the last couple of months, which means that Summer insect activity has started in earnest in our area.
In the last couple of weeks, we have found ourselves tackling issues involving rats, ants and the humane relocation of bees from properties around North East Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
One of the most interesting events is about to take place in our region. This is the time that, when conditions are hot and muggy, black flying garden ants leave the nest in droves.
The ants you generally encounter in the garden or house are worker ants, small female ants that you see busily going to-and-fro around the nest. At the same time, the queen is producing male and female young which will go on to form new colonies in nests of their own. To do this they swarm in their millions.
Traditionally known as ‘flying ant day’, these incredible sights occur when these young ants, which are larger than workers all take to the air simultaneously and mix with ants from neighbouring colonies, find mates, and breed. The males then die, while the female queens go on to start new colonies.
You may not like it when the ground is covered and the air is thick with flying ants, but the birds love it for one particular reason. It represents a wonderful ‘airborne banquet’.
In Hampshire, West Sussex and Dorset this Summer, the air was so dense with flying ants that the weather satellites picked the clouds of insects up on their radar thinking it was rain. An extraordinary event.
What Else Is Getting Our Attention?
We have taken a few photographs as we have tackled various infestation problems in recent days, when rats have been a particular nuisance. You will see from the images below that they are highly skilled at gaining access to anywhere they think there is food.
From kitchen waste bins to piles of rubbish that provide the perfect environment for rats, we see it all.
Our advice, as ever, is do not let rubbish and discarded waste pile up, or you might as well erect a ‘Rats Welcome Here’ sign.
More Summer Insect Activity
Our old friends the Wasps are now starting to leave the nests in search of food and you will no doubt have seen them around the garden and your windows and doors.
A Leaf Cutter Bee in the garden.
Bees are highly welcome in our gardens and many of us do what we can to attract them by planting suitable flowers and shrubs. However, we don’t want them in wall cavities or eaves, so if you find a bee’s nest and would like it humanely removed then let us know.
The Coronavirus lockdown has found more people than ever enjoying their gardens and wandering the local countryside. Yes, Summer is a particularly interesting time for wildlife of all types – you just don’t want it infesting your property.
If you have a wasp, ant or other insect infestation at home or work and you live in the Sheffield, Chesterfield, Rotherham or Worksop area, phone 01909 562813 and we’ll do our best to help you. You can also contact Anston Pest Control here.
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ants, coronavirus, flying ants, Lockdown, wasps in south yorkshire
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