Great Britain specifically: Are ye noticing a significant uptick in insect populations this year?

Posted by FozzieTortle@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 284 comments

I'm Irish and in our national subreddit we're all discussing how there seems to be WAY more insect life evident around the place this year than the past few decades. For a tangible example, for the first time in many years, people are noticing their windshields are getting a lot of bug splatter again. I was just wondering were you guys observing the same thing over there or if it's just us?

Reply to Post

Reply

284 Comments

[-]

IHateFACSCantos@reddit

I'm glad I found this thread because I thought I was going insane. I'm in Notts and the amount we're getting is utterly insane. We went on a road trip to Wycombe and back and the bug splatter we saw was more dense than we've ever seen. But forget car splatter, I'm getting *shirt splatter* just cycling to Morrisons. I have to wear goggles to not get blinded. I've never been happier to be covered in bugs. Here's hoping they recover.

Reply

[-]

Original-Weight2677@reddit

No mow summer is paying buggy dividends! Councils aren’t doing it because of cuts it’s a decision to do their bit - on my estate they still go out in the same numbers mowing etc every day but they’re leaving as much as they can to go wild. It’s just more sensible. It looks lovely too. Could do without the teeny fruit flies that are plaguing me this year though indoors.

Reply

[-]

Adam-West@reddit

I’ve been thinking about bugs on my car for the first time in years. Are other people thinking the same?

Reply

[-]

ocelotrevs@reddit

That's what made me find this topic. I'm seeing so many more insects on the front of cars than in previous years.

Reply

[-]

BugAdministrative683@reddit

Yep, significant amount of bugs splattered on front of the car from the last warm spell.

Reply

[-]

ocelotrevs@reddit

I've noticed a lot more insects on the front of cars than in previous years.

Reply

[-]

IsopodRare2247@reddit

Live in ayrshire n here big increase this year i have noticed. Clean car n u dont have to drive too far out of town n bugs etc cover front of car.

Reply

[-]

Leather_Awareness_12@reddit

Drove back from north Yorkshire to Suffolk last week whilst working and the front of my truck was completely splattered with bugs. It's a fairly regular journey I have made down the years and it's been a long time since that's happened.

Reply

[-]

Belle_TainSummer@reddit

Driving down the Machars last week, and the bugs were hitting the windscreen so hard and fast it legit sounded like it was raining.

Reply

[-]

Mazza_mistake@reddit

There have been more little flies about

Reply

[-]

fruityfart@reddit

I was cycling last week when we had this brief heatwave and there were tons of bugs flying around. A lot more than usual.

Reply

[-]

Commercial_Sun_6177@reddit

Funny you should ask. Yes! Where's my fly swatter?

Reply

[-]

SimpleParking1617@reddit

Yes, going for a run twice this week and on both occasions I've swallowed something flying and it wasn't a bird. That didn't happen at all last year.

Reply

[-]

LoyalWatcher@reddit

South Wales: Last week a cockchafer beetle got into the house and crawled up my leg. It was enormous and scared the bejeezus out of me. I managed to put it outside and it flew North, so if any of you up there had an eclipse, that was why.

Reply

[-]

Darkwitchery@reddit

I saw two of them in my parents street in Cardiff when walking at night. I've never seen any beetle as big as that 😮

Reply

[-]

Lolfest@reddit

Funny, we had one start flying around our bedroom in the night, woke up horrified thinking it was a hornet. Never seen one inside the house before!

Reply

[-]

LoyalWatcher@reddit

Would have been 1000x worse in the dark! :O

Reply

[-]

GhostSquidd@reddit

Up your trousers?! 🫣 Did it actually manage to chafe your cock? I once had a cockchafer randomly erupt from my footwell into my face halfway through a car journey, absolute scenes. Thankfully didn’t crash!

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

I got one as well last week, never seen one before in my life. The thing was the size of my thumb and its wingbeats buzzed so loud it sounded like a drone or a weed whacker.

Reply

[-]

cubbearley@reddit

Covered. And I've mentioned it. Wasn't as bad at all last year

Reply

[-]

RevolvingGoose@reddit

Most amount of bumble bees that I've seen since a kid!

Reply

[-]

pic_strum@reddit

Not in the air flying around me, but only yesterday I noticed just how many small insects were splattered on the front of my car, especially the licence plate. It seemed a lot more than usual.

Reply

[-]

ProfessorPeabrain@reddit

Drove an hour and a half on the motorway, about 3 insect hits. Whatever you're seeing can't be comparable to the insectageddon that used to be the front of the car after any decent length drive. An uptick in observed insects year on year doesn't offset the fuck up we are making of the environment.

Reply

[-]

cbren88@reddit

I noticed a load spattered all over my mother in law’s car after a long journey recently. So…yes, but all the ones I’ve seen were dead.

Reply

[-]

Eisenhorn_UK@reddit

Has there been a ban on a certain type of pesticide or something...? Or is it just cost? Are farmers still able to afford to use their preferred / the most effective chemicals, maybe?

Reply

[-]

tradandtea123@reddit

Neonicoitoids were supposed to be banned in 2008 but had been given emergency use for the past few years but the new government has stopped this. There's plenty of evidence they harm bees, no idea about aphids, also I think their use has been fairly limited for the past 8 years so even if it has been having an affect I doubt it's the only factor.

Reply

[-]

GovernmentPrevious75@reddit

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/05/labour-to-end-uk-exemptions-for-bee-killing-pesticides-outlawed-by-eu

Reply

[-]

dietsdebunked@reddit

I mentioned this in another comment just now, but many farmers have received subsidies this year for using their fields to plant a variety of wildflowers which promote insect and animal biodiversity. I wonder if this has something to do with it!

Reply

[-]

elethiomel_was_kind@reddit

But if you speak too many they’ll say “government bad” and “no farmers no food”.

Reply

[-]

TescoValueJam@reddit

I use home made pesticides, vinegar/essential oils/high concentration salts, no petrochemicals

Reply

[-]

anchoredwunderlust@reddit

Sorta. Annoying but I guess it’s a good thing. It’s been going down for years and not so good for biodiversity 🤷

Reply

[-]

pickindim_kmet@reddit

I've noticed this in the past week especially, since the sun has come out again. Went for a nature walk last week and I was covered in flies and greenflies, never seen so many in years!

Reply

[-]

HungryFinding7089@reddit

Yes - windscreen and reg plate. So much so I had to wipe down reg plate.

Reply

[-]

nothingnew09876@reddit

It seems to be getting back to normal, judging by the number of insects hitting my windscreen. I've even seen a few butterfly's which I haven't seen for the last few years.

Reply

[-]

Expensive-Scheme6817@reddit

OMG yes!! Loads of butterflies and so many varieties too. I love it, what are we doing right to ensure it keeps getting better each year?

Reply

[-]

DogsClimbingWalls@reddit

More awareness for the importance of wildflowers! More and more people are saying no to turfing their garden, instead adding wildflowers and bee friendly plants. Plus council tax cuts have the benefit of fewer trimmed verges, also resulting in insect havens.

Reply

[-]

Public-Guidance-9560@reddit

probably as well I think there are some rules about certain pesticides for farm use that came into effect. Our council cuts a lot of the verges and grassy bits and the park as well but they do leave sections to be wild. I also don't need any encouragement to not do gardening, so we leave our front for quite a while in spring to just grow. It looks proper scruffy at first, but eventually it looks good as it begins to look like a proper wildflower thing and then its rammed full of insects.

Reply

[-]

jackgrafter@reddit

Same. I even had to wash the car. I never do that.

Reply

[-]

YorkieLon@reddit

Thats odd as I read [this article](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/30/alarming-bug-splat-decline-uk-cars-fears-flying-insect-numbers) just the other day. Unfortunately its anecdotal and we've still got a very long way to go before they're on the increase.

Reply

[-]

YorkieLon@reddit

I've just put up a slide in my garden and the thing was covered with little bugs this morning. I didn't really think much of it but will keep an eye on my windshield. That's hopefully positive news and there's an uptick in insect population.

Reply

[-]

Suitable-Ant8840@reddit

There has been talk of this in the British gardening subreddits but opinion is divided on whether it the usual spring uptick or whether it is actually a higher amount of

Reply

[-]

Suitable-Ant8840@reddit

I had to circle back to my comment. I just swallowed a bug by accident. There must be more than normal as this has never happened in my life 😅

Reply

[-]

Aconite_Eagle@reddit

As a gardener; definitely way more this year so far. I have my own schizo theory to do with lack of chemtrailing/sun dimming caused by closing down of USAID meaning UK govt had to scramble to put funding on the books for it - hence the "we'll approve dimming the sun" stories but it may mean they're not pumping neonicitinoids or anything else into the atmosphere making it sunny and warm.... Or....it might just be warmer than usual.

Reply

[-]

cragwatcher@reddit

Sorry, what?

Reply

[-]

Lassitude1001@reddit

>whether it the usual spring uptick or whether it is actually a higher amount Definitely more than usual, I've never seen this amount of aphids near me ever. Last week when it was sunny they were absolutely everywhere, looking through the window onto the petrol forecourt at work and I'd just see them constantly everywhere, almost like if it was a light snow... Of aphids. Walk outside and they'd be all over you.

Reply

[-]

julesharvey1@reddit

Yes we were just discussing this today. Arrived back home after a long drive and the bonnet and front is covered in dead insects and it’s been years since we last saw this.

Reply

[-]

JennyW93@reddit

I picked the wrong year to get a car in finance white :(

Reply

[-]

-TheHumorousOne-@reddit

I'll assume 'Finance White' is White paint mixed with tears of those who returned their car due to no longer being able to afford the monthly payments. Gives the bodywork that extra shine, eh?

Reply

[-]

JennyW93@reddit

It’s that on the outside and… mystery stains on the inside

Reply

[-]

-TheHumorousOne-@reddit

Well thanks for almost making me spit my coffee out! You funny, funny person 🤣

Reply

[-]

boobiemilo@reddit

Yes only the other day we were discussing how the windscreen was ‘bugging’ up

Reply

[-]

MaryBerrysDanglyBean@reddit

Mine was absolutely covered on a long drive I did. Not seen anything like it and my mate said the same

Reply

[-]

Rasputin-69@reddit

Yes even in the North Pennines there seems be an increase

Reply

[-]

Ok-Bus4924@reddit

Yep, my truck windscreen is splattered again, after years of worrying about no pollinators. Happy to see them back - someone invent a force field to save them from windscreens!

Reply

[-]

threeminutesoftime@reddit

Yes Yes Yes!! I thought it was just me.

Reply

[-]

ImHereTooIGues@reddit

I clean my truck windscreen before I leave my depot. Halfway through my shift it’s like I never bothered. It wasn’t like that last year

Reply

[-]

Lost_Exchange2843@reddit

I don’t know if I have or have not but I hope it’s true!

Reply

[-]

SeaworthinessOdd9380@reddit

I work and volunteer in the environmental sector in southern England, nope I have not seen an increase in insect or spider populations. I haven't even ticked off all the common species to be seen in my county for spring yet.

Reply

[-]

marquis_de_ersatz@reddit

My back garden is filled with aphids right now. Thick with them. We have a lot of trees around us but it's more than usual for sure.

Reply

[-]

BoringTruckDriver@reddit

Yes, I've been driving trucks around the UK since 2019 and this is the first time I've actually had to clean my windscreen at least twice a week because it has been absolutely peppered with insect mush over the last month. I would go as far as saying that it's actually a 'nice problem to have' and insect populations are seemingly on the up.

Reply

[-]

Frank_The-Tank@reddit

Plenty more on my windscreen than usual, so I’d say yeah 👍🏻

Reply

[-]

Public-Guidance-9560@reddit

Yep. Car is absolutely coated. My weeping birch or whatever it is in the garden is loaded with green fly. You only have to brush past it whilst mowing and they're all over you. We even had a hornet. Now those are not delightful.

Reply

[-]

Luxury_Dressingown@reddit

I saw a big swarm of sizable insects flying high over the end of my garden in semi-rural Surrey the other day. Haven't seen that in a while. More and different varieties of butterflies too.

Reply

[-]

dobbynobson@reddit

Yes. Got in the car yesterday after 3 days of not driving and realised I'd have to clean the windscreen. The low evening sun made the insect splatter suddenly very obvious. I haven't seen this in a very long time. Also I'm endlessly removing bees from the house who fly in as soon as I open windows. I've made an effort over the last 3 years to replant the garden with bee-friendly plants so perhaps that's why.

Reply

[-]

No_Initiative5355@reddit

Yes! I was wondering if I was mistaken, so I’m glad to see it mentioned here.

Reply

[-]

LungHeadZ@reddit

I’ve noticed an uptick in people asking if there has been an uptick in the amount of flies/bugs so whilst I haven’t actually witnessed this firsthand, I’d tend to agree it’s true.

Reply

[-]

mozzy1985@reddit

Yep defo an uptick in bugs around yorkshire. Both car and van needed a good wash the other day. Both absolutely covered.

Reply

[-]

ThatsLucko@reddit

Yes was commenting on this the other day!

Reply

[-]

coffeewalnut08@reddit

Yes, I’m seeing a ton of bugs just outside my window. It’s odd but a nice change too.

Reply

[-]

Honest-Librarian7647@reddit

I wonder if its anything to with the prolonged dry and settled spell we seem to be having?

Reply

[-]

Lassitude1001@reddit

East Midlands here - Absolute shit load of green flies/aphids about since the sun came out. Can see them literally swarming by the thousands when it's warm, have never seen them like this in my entire life (early 30s). I've also seen numerous vehicles that have got bugs plastered over their front like they used to. Haven't seen that happen for years.

Reply

[-]

RelativeStranger@reddit

The bird population has dramatically fallen since covid. Though I imagine this bug boost may help recover it.

Reply

[-]

BadMachine@reddit

why has the bird population declined?

Reply

[-]

soovercroissants@reddit

Bird flu

Reply

[-]

IntelligentExcuse5@reddit

Surely Bird Flown is more grammatically correct. /S

Reply

[-]

MaryBerrysDanglyBean@reddit

Also some pesticide was recently banned? Might have something to do with it

Reply

[-]

Exact-Put-6961@reddit

Its the weather. Damp winter, gently into warming spring with no overnight frosts or really cold, east wind. For similar reasons, tree blossom is good. Going to be great Apple and fruit crop

Reply

[-]

369_Clive@reddit

Lack of rainfall more likely - March & April have been dry and that's good for insects.

Reply

[-]

Cheapntacky@reddit

Also last winter was mild so more of them will have survived the winter.

Reply

[-]

powpow198@reddit

Probably neonicotinoids, nasty shit if you are a bee or insect https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/23/government-decision-not-to-authorise-pesticide-is-sweet-as-honey-for-pollinators?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

Yeah one thing I definitely noticed over here in Ireland is that there are WAY more bees about this year.

Reply

[-]

cm-cfc@reddit

Awareness of managing green spaces. Like no mow May, and loads of gardens now have plants for insects and are keeping areas overgrown

Reply

[-]

RelativeStranger@reddit

I hope that is the reason. As that means it may sustain for a bit

Reply

[-]

dietsdebunked@reddit

Many farmers have been offered a subsidy to sew a wildflower mix in their fields this year (and for the next few years) which is specifically designed to help improve biodiversity of insect and animal populations. I suspect that might have something to do with it, especially as most farmers have been struggling to break even most years recently. This subsidy is a guaranteed profit at least. Source: stepdad is one of the farmers who was offered and took up this subsidy

Reply

[-]

mickandmac@reddit

Rural Ireland here. Plenty more bugs about, definitely isn't because of help from farmers. I suspect it's bird flu. I keep about a third of an acre wild myself.

Reply

[-]

ToviGrande@reddit

This is great news. I wonder what Reform think of it?

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

Careful, don't get into politics in this subreddit

Reply

[-]

AdministrativeShip2@reddit

Is there a public register of which farms have used the subsidy? I've got vague thoughts if looking for wildflower fields.

Reply

[-]

Lassitude1001@reddit

That's pretty cool tbf it is definitely needed - not sure it fully explains the massive influx of them coming out the grass on the back garden or at my work though. Probably still part of it for sure though.

Reply

[-]

dietsdebunked@reddit

I guess we also need to think those fields also aren’t having pesticides sprayed on them too. A huge number of fields in the country have switched to this- so could explain a large part of it for sure! I suspect other factors also helped, like weather etc

Reply

[-]

Extreme-Self5491@reddit

I'm gonna guess it's the unusual dry and warm weather we've had relatively early in the year that's caused some bugs to take to wing simultaneously early. Just a guess. If we hit enough of them with our cars we can stop this ever happening again. Let's get to work, I want to witness the end of the world happening in Fargage and Trumps lifetime.

Reply

[-]

Tigertotz_411@reddit

Female aphids can reproduce asexually when conditions are good so numbers build up very, very quickly. This is partly why they are so hard to control with insecticides, the traits for resistance can spread through a population easily.

Reply

[-]

ciphd@reddit

Protein shake on my lorry windscreen every afternoon that I drive down the A16 to Peterborough. Another serving past Brampton on the A14 where the little ponds are, driving through those swarms sounds like it starts raining there's so many of those little fuckers getting splattered at once.

Reply

[-]

Commercial-Whole8184@reddit

Yes- the front of my car is far more big splattered than the last few years. And on a less grim note, more flutterbies in the garden.

Reply

[-]

jam_scot@reddit

I'm based in Scotland and I've noticed this over the last few weeks of nice weather.

Reply

[-]

MrFeatherstonehaugh@reddit

West Yorkshire: a lot of midges in the garden right now but our resident bats have yet to awaken from their slumber. Killed a few houseflies early doors but in my experience those wankers are superseded by their blue-arsed counterparts by early June. Looking like a fairly normal invertebrate horror season so far but no doubt we will experience an invasion of the Malaysian Face Eating Giant Death Hornet in the next two weeks. Looking forward to the Flying Ant Day festivities.

Reply

[-]

Thestolenone@reddit

I'm in West Yorkshire and the bats have been out for a couple of weeks now.

Reply

[-]

MrFeatherstonehaugh@reddit

To be honest, now I think about it, I haven't been out at dusk so maybe Lazy Alan is awake and performing his ultrasonic duties as required.

Reply

[-]

Narrow_Maximum7@reddit

No mow may is working!

Reply

[-]

Intruder313@reddit

Yes, thankfully: I was very sad that last year there were no buzzing buggers in my house and this year I’ve already had to boot out 3 wasps They are all part of the problem ecosystem

Reply

[-]

BuncleCar@reddit

And insects do like a nice warm day :)

Reply

[-]

EmJayBee91@reddit

I had several daddy long legs on the inside of the kitchen window yesterday, usually don't expect to see them untill September!

Reply

[-]

Dyalikedagz@reddit

I noticed a whole lot more on my windshield when I went up and down the M1 last week. More than I've seen in many years actually!

Reply

[-]

queenieofrandom@reddit

Mild winter usually means higher insect numbers

Reply

[-]

Lewis19962010@reddit

I've not seen any in my area, not even midges and they are usually out in force. Pls return the insects you have received back

Reply

[-]

gamecatuk@reddit

Absolutely. As a mountianbiker I've swallowed a handful already. Definitely noticed more this year.

Reply

[-]

tonyenkiducx@reddit

Yes, 100%, I've only been driving for 2 years, so it's a short set of data points, but the last 2 summers I never got any bugs on my car, but this year I've had to taken it to get washed three times already because of the excessive amount of bugs.

Reply

[-]

Itallachesnow@reddit

Definitely more windscreen splatter than most recent years. There is also an increase in hedgerow wildflowers and apple tree blossom. (Cornwall).

Reply

[-]

LumpyTrifle5314@reddit

I got swarmed the other night... I don't remember that happening since my childhood.

Reply

[-]

2ndGenX@reddit

All of this is good news

Reply

[-]

MathematicianOnly688@reddit

This all sounds very promising but I can't pretend I've noticed any difference at all. Not an insect but I've seen almost no slugs so far, I guess that's because of the almost complete absence of rain.

Reply

[-]

jlb8@reddit

My car was absolutely caked in them the past few weeks. Really good to see, hopefully it’s a result of pesticide changes rather than freaky weather.

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

I hope scientists are studying it

Reply

[-]

Background-Rabbit-84@reddit

This is such good news.

Reply

[-]

jesuseatsbees@reddit

I’ve noticed the opposite. My garden is normally buzzing by now but there’s nothing. Even the woodlice that plague me seem fewer this year.

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

What region are you, and are you urban or rural?

Reply

[-]

jccreddit808@reddit

I think a lot of you just have annual amnesia

Reply

[-]

GandalfsNozzle@reddit

I drove through, what must have been a swarm of mosquitoes yesterday. Blood splats all over the windscreen it was gross.

Reply

[-]

CaptMelonfish@reddit

Yes, massively, and honestly it's great. lots for the birds and other's to eat, which means even more animals will thrive. here's hoping the bees also boom this year (though avoid car windscreens)

Reply

[-]

MercuryJellyfish@reddit

Friend of mine drove down to Manchester from Carlisle the other day, and her windscreen was thick with insect corpses in a way I feel like I haven't seen in 20 years

Reply

[-]

AfraidDay4133@reddit

G ugh ugh guy guy guy ccgg ft ft ggg ft ft g xxx😁

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

You alright, mate?

Reply

[-]

Interesting-Sky-7014@reddit

Car was covered in bugs this weekend. Is this good? Or is there an infestation of something new

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

None of the answers have mentioned invasive species, however two or three have mentioned seeing cockchafers, a type of enormous scarab beetle that used to be extremely common all over Europe and are mentioned in classic literature dating all the way back to ancient Greece but had gotten very uncommon since the advent of modern pesticides.

Reply

[-]

Psittacula2@reddit

Might be. Sunny weather this Spring helps but possibly farmer verges allow insect life cycles to complete could be making an impact?

Reply

[-]

dwair@reddit

Moorland Cornwall. No not really. There seem to have been fewer wild flowers and blossom about this year compared to normal so I think that might have something to do with it.

Reply

[-]

coltoncruise81@reddit

I've seen three hornets this week (European not Asian) and I've never seen one before (51 years old).

Reply

[-]

Character_Concert947@reddit

Went to Scotland (from London) and back over Easter and commented to the good Mrs that there was a veritable buffet of bugs on the car - much more than usual in past years. Which is good, I suppose.

Reply

[-]

butterjamtoast@reddit

I’m eating about 3 greenfly’s per km when I go on my runs lately. My windscreen also looks like a war crime.

Reply

[-]

ApprehensiveChip8361@reddit

Yes. Actually had to clean bugs off my windscreen for the first time in years.

Reply

[-]

IcemanBrutus@reddit

Absolutely yes. Only yesterday I noticed the front grill on my car was a splattered bug mess, and was out in the garden for most of the day painting the fence and the amount of honey and bumble bees I saw was a joy to see. We live in a new build estate that is only 5 or so years old so the flowers and plants are established enough now to start attracting more bees and butterflies plus the different birds is very noticeable too.

Reply

[-]

South_Buy_3175@reddit

Yes. My honeysuckles have been absolutely gangbanged by aphids this year. I’ve been finding ladybirds in the garden and sicking them on the bloody things. Praying a horde of ladybirds descends soon.

Reply

[-]

millyperry2023@reddit

Still waiting for the onslaught in West Suffolk Really noticeable last summer though, the box hedges around my block (and indeed the town)were destroyed by a massive infestation of box hedge caterpillars in a matter of days, also covered the paths and crawled all over our main door, but no flies

Reply

[-]

Satoshiman256@reddit

I was thinking I hadn't seen a single Bee yet.

Reply

[-]

mightyfishfingers@reddit

Not on the windscreen but definitely there are more bees around in the garden and earlier than the last few years. Hurrah.

Reply

[-]

SufficientRead1@reddit

Yes! I have mayflies in my garden, the first ones I’ve seen for years! And so many different types of bee and wasp, it’s brilliant.

Reply

[-]

Shawn_The_Sheep777@reddit

Swarms of green fly. Last week. Got covered inthem

Reply

[-]

HelloW0rldBye@reddit

Thought the same thing over the weekend, driving through North Devon and got bug splatter on my windscreen. Never been happy to see the before lol

Reply

[-]

PurahsHero@reddit

I can only say for my neck of the woods, but this year my garden has been full of bees and butterflies compared to previous years. Barely 2 years ago I could go for days without seeing either, and now I see at least one every time I step out. And you know what? Its bloody brilliant.

Reply

[-]

BromleyReject@reddit

No. Because there hasn't been any sort of uptick whatsoever. Stop making things up

Reply

[-]

noseysheep@reddit

Conditions this year have just been more favourable for insects this year and there's a few more than usual

Reply

[-]

michaelisnotginger@reddit

Yes bugs absolutely covered my car windscreen after every drive ATM, not seen this for a while

Reply

[-]

AMorghulis@reddit

Seems to be a number of factors but I also wonder if changing gardening trends are contributing. Stones used to be all the rage the past couple of decades but the millennial generation are getting rid of them in favour of grass and additional beds including wildflowers. That includes our own garden which is thriving this year! Then no mow may on top. Gardening seems to be having a bit of a revival in general.

Reply

[-]

jaymatthewbee@reddit

It’s me, I didn’t mow the lawn for four weeks. You’re welcome.

Reply

[-]

TescoValueJam@reddit

No it’s me… I let my lawn grow all year round, and interesting thing is by winter it kinda self mowed itself, and looked almost identical to everyones

Reply

[-]

Calm-Glove3141@reddit

Great news I was sure they are all dying off

Reply

[-]

Grotbagsthewonderful@reddit

Yes, however still little to no bees, we have had however a glorious spring, our garden is about 6 weeks early for everything, some summer flowers started blooming in April, and some spring flowers started coming up in October before I'd even started removing last years summer annuals. To be fair the climate for the past few years has been a little topsy turvy.

Reply

[-]

Jack_202@reddit

All that rain last year must have helped them out.

Reply

[-]

AutomaticInitiative@reddit

I live somewhere where we have the least tree canopy in the country and some of the least green space per capita, haven't noticed anything unfortunately.

Reply

[-]

__IZZZ@reddit

It's a problem I've been aware of for ~6 years or so and absolutely noticed an increase this year. But over the last few years there has been a significant effort from both myself and a few neighbours to grow wild areas which are picking up nicely so maybe just a local thing to my road.

Reply

[-]

ninoruk86@reddit

Yes it makes me so happy! Long may it continue!

Reply

[-]

Feeling_Pen_8579@reddit

In London, yeah, loads more, we've got a ton of caterpillars outside that ive not seen since my daughter was a baby. It's pretty neat.

Reply

[-]

Scarboroughwarning@reddit

Yes, vast! Front of my car was covered. Went to work, and my colleague said, "have you seen my front bumper?" Caked in them

Reply

[-]

dont_kill_my_vibe09@reddit

I was actually thinking about this whilst on a walk with my dog yesterday. Can't ever remember it being so full of insects in the UK and I currently live in a rural area.

Reply

[-]

FlimsyDistance9437@reddit

Yep. I wonder if it’s because of a change in Farming subsidy where they are now being paid to grow wild life friendly plants instead of crops. Government recently had to close the scheme because too many had signed up.

Reply

[-]

luujs@reddit

Great news for insect biodiversity. I’m pretty sure that’s been declining for decades now

Reply

[-]

dietsdebunked@reddit

I think it’s this too- only thing that has changed on my stepdads farm is the planting of the wildflower seed mixes and the increase in insects is HUGE. Great to see!!

Reply

[-]

LynxAdonis@reddit

My car is painted a metallic black. After 2 weeks of commuting to work on A-Roads, I could park my car in a hedgeline, and it it was facing you, I guarantee you'd struggle to find it. It's no longer a smooth paint feel, it's now resembling a highly textured stone with dry moss growth.

Reply

[-]

CptFlwrs@reddit

I saw a thread on this the other day of which I now don’t have the link… someone said it was the very wet, warmer than usual winter I think. Please correct me if I’m misremembering that.

Reply

[-]

JourneyThiefer@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/jxedjec4o1ze1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b74928717043d08245a53d21c4d4a679844de107 Autumn looked absolutely soaking for a lot of England though, then also still dry for NI and Scotland (lucky us lol)

Reply

[-]

JourneyThiefer@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/ku8pflevn1ze1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=83e356a1c6e1272c1e230b71e75e2aca4a4b1672 Pretty average across England and Wales, then fry for NI and Scotland

Reply

[-]

SocieteRoyale@reddit

I drove to Shropshire and back from Liverpool, my van windscreen was covered in squished flies! haven't seen that many for years

Reply

[-]

mozchops@reddit

hope everyone's been leaving their lawns alone, - no mowing until June! No mow May! :)

Reply

[-]

AnonymousTimewaster@reddit

Yeah been getting shitloads of bugs on the windscreen again. Guess it's a good thing.

Reply

[-]

HullGuy@reddit

Absolutely. Car’s covered in them.

Reply

[-]

complicatedsnail@reddit

I thought this myself a few days ago when I saw a neighbours car covered in insects. I've not seen that in about 10 years

Reply

[-]

CrepuscularNemophile@reddit

I took a [4s video of our rabbit](https://imgur.com/a/oT73GAb) yesterday and thought there was a lot of dust in the air when I watched it back, but looking around me properly I realised it was insects.

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

That is definitely significant

Reply

[-]

bigjig5@reddit

Certainly gone up since the nonmember in strike in Birmingham

Reply

[-]

vikatoyah@reddit

Yes! My car was covered in them after a long drive this weekend and I was wondering where they had all come from. The fluffy dandelion seeds are also so abundant it’s been like snowflakes a couple of times this week. Beautiful to see and hopefully a good sign for nature.

Reply

[-]

Jammastersam@reddit

I wish. Sadly all our insect populations, especially pollinators are facing a sharp decline. The good weather will bring the existing population out but nowhere near close to the numbers they used to come out in.

Reply

[-]

Queenoftheunicorns93@reddit

Aphids are the blight of my life lately. I’ve not seen this many since I was a kid. Wasps are huge. Seeing more butterflies and bees. Not many spiders yet though.

Reply

[-]

0x633546a298e734700b@reddit

Yup. I'm out in the sticks in Aberdeenshire. Driving along some roads is like driving in heavy rain with the number of thuds you get on the windscreen from bugs

Reply

[-]

marquoth_@reddit

This week, since the sun's come out, the front of my car is covered in splattered insects. First time I've ever had that in seven years of driving.

Reply

[-]

marquoth_@reddit

This week, since the sun's come out, the front of my car is covered in splattered insects. First time I've ever had that in seven years of driving.

Reply

[-]

cayosonia@reddit

Just killed a 2 inch cockroach in my bathroom with my slippers. Never seen a big ish cockroach in the UK before

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

You sure it was a cockroach? Last week a gigantic beetle flew into my bedroom that I'd never seen before in all my 41 years. Turns out it was something called a ["cockchafer"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockchafer). Wikipedia says they used to be way more common, all around Europe, but pesticides led to a drop in numbers. Apparently, they're making a comeback in recent years, but last week was the first I'd ever seen one or, frankly, even HEARD of them.

Reply

[-]

cayosonia@reddit

Might be an American cockroach, almost tempted to go through the bin to dig it out

Reply

[-]

cayosonia@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/xqd7dw8sa1ze1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b715f00b8d4a27345bd78f565f1924862a38e5e It was bigger before I thwacked it

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

Yuck! I hope you don't get any more!

Reply

[-]

cayosonia@reddit

Good idea but it was lighter in colour, am just having a google. Never heard of a cockchafer either so thanks for sharing that

Reply

[-]

blinky84@reddit

Honestly I thought it was cos I got a new (used but shiny, not rusty!) car last month and was just being sensitive to it

Reply

[-]

AlGunner@reddit

Nope. Im on the south coast and if anything its less than usual. The countries going down the drain and even the insects are leaving.

Reply

[-]

Helloimnotimpotant@reddit

Debbie downer

Reply

[-]

Helloimnotimpotant@reddit

The bmw is splattered and my partners Juke is like a murder scene at the front , her windscreen was plastered I had to clean the windscreen on Saturday for her

Reply

[-]

Important_March1933@reddit

Yes alot of bees around so far I’ve noticed.

Reply

[-]

Aconite_Eagle@reddit

YES massively so; swarms of midges/greenfly/blackfly in the garden being blown around on the wind - went for a drive the other day, windscreen was covered in bugs, like in the old days. Very weird; I guess its the warm weather.

Reply

[-]

snapper1971@reddit

No. There are fewer. My fruit trees weren't pollinated.

Reply

[-]

Sea-Still5427@reddit

I think so. The bats in the nature reserve near me are going crazy eating them over the river at night.

Reply

[-]

369_Clive@reddit

Lack of rainfall in March & April has helped. A drier spring is good for insects.

Reply

[-]

itsableeder@reddit

I was commenting on this to my partner last week. Our back garden is warming with midgies and greenfly, we've got ladybirds, we've even got butterflies, and I haven't seen any of the above in meaningful numbers in years. Not sure what's caused it but I'm not made about it.

Reply

[-]

1FlamingBurrito@reddit

“We’ve even got butterflies” is such a sad line to read. It shows how far the UK has fallen. Get planting people! Also fyi, stinging nettle is the caterpillar food plant for 5 native British butterflies so leave a patch if you can (and like butterflies).

Reply

[-]

itsableeder@reddit

We have tons of stinging nettles in our garden hiding behind the shed and I have no plans to get rid of them, so that's very good to know!

Reply

[-]

South_Dependent_1128@reddit

I went out during a nature walk and noticed there was algae by the side of a lake, loads of flies and webs along the path in the grass covered in dandelion seeds. I'm thinking due to pollution and the hot weather its increasing the bug population and also increasing the number of spiders as well equally. Its fascinating seeing how the ecosystem has changed but the pollution is a real problem that needs dealing with.

Reply

[-]

NebCrushrr@reddit

God I hope so

Reply

[-]

Realistic-Machine772@reddit

I remember years ago when you would get bugs splattered all over the car windscreen

Reply

[-]

PumpkinSpice2Nice@reddit

I was thinking about this not that long ago and it occurred to me that I never have to clean bugs off my windscreen like my parents did on our car trips in the 80’s. Yet my modern car is much more powerful.

Reply

[-]

KirstyBaba@reddit

A big part of that is apparently aerodynamics, coupled with the catastrophic collapse in insect populations. Read somewhere that the increase this year is due to the ban on nicotinoids- long may it continue.

Reply

[-]

Realistic-Machine772@reddit

Interesting never though of that

Reply

[-]

TheEmbarrassed18@reddit

Come back from a roadtrip today. Absolute pandemonium on my windscreen

Reply

[-]

handtoglandwombat@reddit

I’ve been noticing this for a few years now in my region, pretty much since the “no-mow-May” initiative started. I think it’s really great but it needs a better name.

Reply

[-]

StereotypicallBarbie@reddit

Can happily report I’ve seen a fair few more bee’s in my garden than I have usually at this time of year. But I’ve been growing wildlife encouraging plants and I’m doing no mow may

Reply

[-]

cognitiveglitch@reddit

Yes. Lots of honey bees and bumble bees too!

Reply

[-]

daisymayfryup@reddit

I'm noticing that too here in the North of Ireland. Washed two motors this morning and there a lot more insect corpses than I've seen in the past load of years. That's good news

Reply

[-]

revpidgeon@reddit

I have all the spiders in my house it seems.

Reply

[-]

CaptainQueen1701@reddit

Yes. I noticed my windscreen is way worse than it has been in years.

Reply

[-]

One-Cardiologist-462@reddit

Yes. This last week in particular where we've had normal weather, they seem to be gunking up my windshield more on the way to work.

Reply

[-]

jeffbailey@reddit

The number colliding with my eyes when I ride a Line scooter has been really high this past week.

Reply

[-]

Alexa302@reddit

There's so many green flies, my back garden is full of them. I've never seen so many flies in one spot before.

Reply

[-]

mumwifealcoholic@reddit

Yep. My car is plastered. On my cycle ride today I swallowed so many bugs.

Reply

[-]

ShinyHeadedCook@reddit

I cleaned my car on Saturday and the front end was absolutely splatted in bugs

Reply

[-]

Dramatic-Bad-616@reddit

No, I reckon it's lies. Dirty vicious Irish beef lies

Reply

[-]

Happy_fairy89@reddit

I was just talking about this with my husband today! Yes!! I’ve noticed that the local councils have started taking good care of our countryside - introducing trails and felling trees in areas presumably for good reason. There’s also been a massive increase kites and another massive bird (can’t remember its name) but those things dive for roadkill and completely cover my windscreen which is terrifying. I said to my husband that re introducing those birds and the care going into maintaining the woodland has likely improved the ecosystem, right down to the bugs. That said, my house was infested with ants, took care of that problem and now they’re in my car !!! It’s hell!

Reply

[-]

gogbot87@reddit

No sadly, also way down on snails and slugs

Reply

[-]

solar-powered-potato@reddit

Yes and they're all trying to fly straight into my mouth.

Reply

[-]

Zesty-Close13@reddit

I think it's just a really good spring for insects and growth, warm and dry. Last year was the opposite.

Reply

[-]

No_Title_615@reddit

Nature is healing

Reply

[-]

No_Title_615@reddit

Yes I have about 6 spiders currently in my room.

Reply

[-]

DazzlingClassic185@reddit

Drive up to Leeds and back a couple of weeks ago, from the west mids. Up through Manchester, down via Derby. I haven’t seen so many bug splats on my windscreen! Arguably, there *was* an uptick, until they got smeared across my cars front…

Reply

[-]

RosieFudge@reddit

Yup, husband drove from London to Northumberland and back last week and the windscreen was so smeary it looked like someone had filmed a porno on it

Reply

[-]

themcsame@reddit

Getting a lot more bug splatters on the car than I have been in previous years, despite making fewer long journeys. Hell, I'd go as far as saying in the last month I've had more bug splatters commuting to work and back than I had on the entirety of our Scotland trip (\~1400 miles)... And I've had a whole week off and 2 bank holidays off during that time with very little driving. Not even down to the time of year either, we'd probably just be polishing off a bacon cob and a brew in Inverness bang on this time last year.

Reply

[-]

Competitive_Time_604@reddit

yes, probably related to the mild winter

Reply

[-]

derpzy101@reddit

I've just arrived home from a wedding in the West of Ireland. We drove and caught the ferry. There are a load more bugs than last year when we did the same journey at a similar time of year. But the weather was a lot nicer this time so not sure if it's the heat or a trend. Maybe next year we will get a better indication if bugs are back about. Would that mean good news for nature or what might it indicate not sure but seen a few posts now about increase bug splatter and we spoke about it on the drive too

Reply

[-]

DNQuk@reddit

Yes there are i think

Reply

[-]

thegamesender1@reddit

Yes this year there are way more insects. My truck was spotless last year around this time, but this year I'm having to wash it daily as wipers don't get the edges and the rest of the front.

Reply

[-]

Crabbies92@reddit

Never mind windscreen spatter, my cycle to work is an hour each way and I’ve been getting shirt spatter!

Reply

[-]

NobleRotter@reddit

Interesting. I live on the South coast. I don't notice it here. But I do drive north quite a bit and have been getting a lot of bug splatter then I do that

Reply

[-]

ArmouredFlump@reddit

I think there's a few things going on. The first is that the wild bird population has been battered by bird flu over the last few years. The second is a drop in herbicide and pesticide use, councils and gardeners are more aware of the risks and har. And are using less. Last but not least, habitat creation. No mow may means more food for insects, longer verges, likewise. Long may it continue!

Reply

[-]

MLMSE@reddit

Not noticed it. But given how terrible last year probably was for insects it makes sense they would make up for lost time.

Reply

[-]

chriscringlesmother@reddit

Yes and it’s good news, my raid is now only for wasps that refuse to leave after 10 minutes, and we try to scare them out by spraying it away from them to try to box them out the open window so they can go on and live their lives. Flies are just a pain in the arse but we need the bugs.

Reply

[-]

ParadiseLost1674@reddit

Yes! Teesside to Swindon and back via Manchester last week and my windscreen was covered. With the decline in insect numbers over the past decade and the impact on the bird population this is a small positive. It could just be that the milder winter and a few weeks of temperatures closer to average this year have helped.

Reply

[-]

NCC-2000-A@reddit

More insects and more birds..I barely heard birdsong last year and it was so sad

Reply

[-]

Gildor12@reddit

Huge numbers of aphids this year

Reply

[-]

roddz@reddit

Yes but I just assumed it was because I finally have a proper garden

Reply

[-]

BirchyBaby@reddit

My car is peppered! Not been like this is nearly a decade!

Reply

[-]

Electronic_Cream_780@reddit

Yes, I'm having to relearn cycling with my mouth closed!

Reply

[-]

geoakey@reddit

I have noticed this too, but I also read an article the other day saying the numbers are concerningly way down this year

Reply

[-]

FozzieTortle@reddit (OP)

Where was the article?

Reply

[-]

Weary-Description773@reddit

Less actually

Reply

[-]

Pankratous@reddit

Driving around the North of Scotland the last few days. Yes, noticed it. Discussed it today even with my wife.

Reply

[-]

sillyquestionsdude@reddit

Yes, screen on the car was covered in flies when i went out on a trip the other day, i have not had that in years. The bats in my lane in the early evening are more numerous.

Reply

[-]

plant-strong@reddit

A lot more flies than last year, though fortunately for my garden far fewer grasshoppers

Reply

[-]

Ginge04@reddit

Washed my car a week ago before driving to get the ferry over to Ireland. Within about an hour of driving, I could barely see out of the car with all the insect guts splattered across it. Not seen that for a long time!

Reply

[-]

braapstututu@reddit

driving to alton towers last week we had audible bug spatter every few seconds in some areas. definitely dont remember that much any time recently.

Reply

[-]

Dennyisthepisslord@reddit

Been loads on my running and walking routes by the river! Can't say noticed much elsewhere

Reply

[-]

Ok_Owl_8062@reddit

yep - did a big drive recently which ended up as more of a bug drive. Windscreen was splattered noticeably more than before.

Reply

[-]

sayleanenlarge@reddit

Yes, Imwas thinking it earlier today because there were shit loads of green flies. And then last week in the garden there were a tonne of other flies. I don't know if it's a good thing or not. They might just be robust against global warming but out competing other insects.

Reply

[-]

MattyLePew@reddit

Hard to judge but I think I'm noticing more dead bugs on the front of my car and windscreen than last year. It might also be because I've recently purchased a new car which is a different colour, so might be more noticeable on this one.

Reply

[-]

Salty-Package9202@reddit

Absolutely yes. I just did a 400+ mile trip from England to Scotland. I had to stop halfway and clean my windscreen because I physically couldn't see out of it anymore without being constantly distracted by all the dead bugs. Wipers were doing nothing. I had to clean it again at the end of the journey. The front of my car is plastered in dead bugs!

Reply

[-]

borokish@reddit

Teesside to Leeds and back the other day and our car was covered in death, definitely a lot more than usual Also noticed a significant increase in the amount in our garden and around the village Good to see if I'm honest

Reply

[-]

SeverusSnape__@reddit

I was walking home the other day and did notice loads of dead bugs on the fronts of cars. Feels like years since I saw such large graveyards on cars.

Reply

[-]

KarateGirl1021@reddit

I’ve noticed this. It’s probably because of the sunny spring, as I remember the same in 2020.

Reply

[-]

Agitated_Map5105@reddit

Oh my god, yes!! I drive quite a lot weekly as I'm a gigging musician and I noticed this!

Reply

[-]

jlangue@reddit

Yes that’s true in northern England.

Reply

[-]

Yoguls@reddit

Yes, and if my crazy work colleague is to be believed, it is because of all the chem trails forcing the bugs down and closer to the ground as to get away from the toxins

Reply

[-]

ClevelandWomble@reddit

He isn't. It was because, instead of snow, we had sunshine. It might even be a blessing if newly hatched insects die off with the colder weather that we're having now.

Reply

[-]

Yoguls@reddit

Yeah I don't subscribe to his particular brand of mental

Reply

[-]

ClevelandWomble@reddit

That's what I took from your comment. Sorry if that didn't come across in my reply. Why insects would be at 35,000 ft where there's no air, food or heat is a puzzle even he might struggle to explain.

Reply

[-]

Yoguls@reddit

He refuses to explain anything, only that it's the governments doing

Reply

[-]

TomSurman@reddit

Last week, I was having to clean bugs off my windscreen every day after coming home from work. It was maddening.

Reply

[-]

Ill-Photograph-9994@reddit

out in london and ive noticed green flies stuck on my clothes, some squashed but yeah theyre more prevalent now even down south

Reply

[-]

SmegmaSandwich69420@reddit

I've not noticed it but the front of my work van sure has.

Reply

[-]

ArtisticPay5104@reddit

Omg I’ve been talking about this all week. I made a long motorway journey and at the end of it my windscreen was dotted with bug splats. I’ve been driving for about 15 years and I don’t think I’ve experienced them at all in that time. I don’t want to be naive but it’s giving me a little bit of hope…

Reply

[-]

rapafon@reddit

Yes, and though it's annoying as it makes a mess of your car and they love to fly in the house, I'm hoping it's a good sign, that some biodiversity is returning perhaps.

Reply

[-]

noddyneddy@reddit

Nope not in NW anyway

Reply

[-]

TeaBoy24@reddit

That's a good thing given the rapid decline over the past decades.

Reply

[-]

RelativeStranger@reddit

The amount of green flies (not greenflies) in Newcastle eas so prevalent it made the local news last week. Was strange

Reply

[-]

RedNightKnight@reddit

Yes. I noticed this last week! It’s been a while since there was insect splatter on my windscreen!

Reply

[-]

No-Body-4446@reddit

Loads more. Drove to Scotland and back the other day. (6 hour round trip) and the front of my car was covered in them. Been years since I’ve seen that.

Reply

[-]

_gingercat@reddit

Yep. By the mass murder scene of green flies on the front end of my car last week in the hot weather, I agree. There wasn’t a single cm of my windscreen without one. This was in the Yorkshire countryside on a main road.

Reply

[-]

KirstyBaba@reddit

Yes! It's brilliant.

Reply

[-]

MushyBeans@reddit

Ive noticed that the front of my car is plastered in them. First time it's been this much since the 90s

Reply

[-]

TheDawiWhisperer@reddit

I have seen a lot of people saying the same but tbh I haven't noticed it being any better or worse than usual

Reply

[-]

pm_me_boobs_pictures@reddit

Yeah I work outdoors in woods and gardening. No more or less than usual

Reply

[-]

Motor-Trouble194@reddit

I seen more green fly in the last week than in my whole life. The air was full of them on afew afternoons last week. If you walked out the door they would be on you straight away. I walked to the bin and back and had about 10 on me. As the sun got lower you could see the flys everywhere in the sky

Reply

[-]

Shadakthehunter@reddit

Yep. I've driven back home to Liverpool from Scotland this weekend. Carnage on my windscreen.

Reply

[-]

Klutzy-Rock-8293@reddit

Huh, I drove from Skye to south west England last week and thought there was a lot more bug life on the front of the car than I’d seen in recent years.

Reply

[-]

_Sad_Ken_@reddit

Yes. I mentioned it a few days ago on here and got a lot of sarcy replies.... But there's definitely been a huge increase. I walked the dog on Thursday and the air was thick with midges. Swarms of them everywhere.

Reply

[-]

Optimal_Collection77@reddit

Yeah. I lot more on my windscreen than normal

Reply

[-]

Rumhampolicy@reddit

I've noticed a lot more on my car.

Reply

[-]

Independent-Try4352@reddit

Certainly more that the last few years, but can remember far more around 15 years ago. Could be the unusually warm dry weather.

Reply

[-]

Personal-Cress-3610@reddit

Yes, I cycled home from work and had bugs on my t-shirt for the first time

Reply

[-]

Pale_Slide_3463@reddit

Yes I have noticed the increase of midges wanting my blood this year compared to the last 8. Wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have such a reaction to them. My car window screen is being splattered a lot more

Reply

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - When repling to submission/post please **make genuine efforts to answer the question given**. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*

Reply