Wrexham Shoppers Attacked By Swarm Of Flying Ants

Shoppers in Wrexham have been plagued by a swarm of flying ants this afternoon.

The swarm were flying around Yorke Street, High Street and Eagles Meadow landing on shoppers who desperately tried to swat them away.

Cliff Ottley-Thistlethwaite who owns Inkxperts on Yorke Street said a number of customers had come into his shop to take refuge from the flying ants.

Meanwhile shoppers walking along the bridge into Eagles Meadow ran a gauntlet as they tried to dodge past them.

One lady had to abandon her attempts to eat her lunch on the bench, she said: “It’s absolutely disgusting, they’re everywhere!”

Several @wrexham followers got in touch to report the problem, Adam Griffiths (@AdamGrif1) said: “Must be like a million Flying Ants in Eagles Meadow today.”

Lauren Davies said: “There’s so many flies or flying ants in eagles meadow @wrexham it’s vile! Landing on everyone!”

Below is a video of flying ants crawling down the side of Yorke Street.

Where do the flying ants come from?

Flying ants usually make an appearance once a year during hot spells of weather.

Branded “Flying Ant Day” the ants come out of their nests as they embark on their annual mating ritual.

According to Dr Mark Downs of the Society of Biology the ants pick a day by sensing temperature, humidity and day length.

Warm, humid conditions are preferred as it makes it easier for them to fly and humidity makes the ground softer for mated queens to dig nests.

The Society of Biology is currently carrying out a flying ant survey and asking anyone who spots them to make a note of the time, date, location and weather conditions, and submit records through an online survey www.societyofbiology.org/flyingantsurvey.