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It's the height of summer. Usually there are loads of insects buzzing around, especially flies. Right now, in the corner of West London, there are none.
The quality of grass here is causing alarm in the farming community here as well.Normally we have loads of butterflies but now nothing - and very few bees. They continue to spray the skies.
Where are all the insects? on 15:56 - Jul 22 by TheChef
Plenty round Edgware, I've not noticed any difference.
That's good to know. I'm genuinely concerned. I mean normally in the front garden there would be plenty buzzing around and lots of flies in the kitchen. There are none.
Without insects our ecological systems will collapse. There should be much more concern about this than there is. For example, a survey by Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife showed a 78% decline in “bug splats” on number plates across the UK since 2004.
Added to the other ecological crises going on, it looks like we're increasingly careering down a steep slope to devastation.
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Where are all the insects? on 16:22 - Jul 22 with 5917 views
Where are all the insects? on 16:12 - Jul 22 by dmm
Without insects our ecological systems will collapse. There should be much more concern about this than there is. For example, a survey by Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife showed a 78% decline in “bug splats” on number plates across the UK since 2004.
Added to the other ecological crises going on, it looks like we're increasingly careering down a steep slope to devastation.
I'd be surprised if you were not the subject of some ridicule!
The delicate balance of mother nature is such, that the smallest living organism plays its role in the greater scheme of things. And yet, look at us, what we are doing, and more importantly, not doing. The decline appears more existential by the day.
'Always In Motion' by John Honney available on amazon.co.uk
The grass verges, where I live are not being cut, to encourage the bees and other wildlife to flourish, rather than cutting costs. I haven't seen a bee and very few wasps.
Currently in West Sussex, loads of moths and butterflies, but again no bees.
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Where are all the insects? on 16:37 - Jul 22 with 5858 views
Where are all the insects? on 16:23 - Jul 22 by HamptonR
The grass verges, where I live are not being cut, to encourage the bees and other wildlife to flourish, rather than cutting costs. I haven't seen a bee and very few wasps.
Currently in West Sussex, loads of moths and butterflies, but again no bees.
Also in West Sussex. I haven't seen one wasp all summer yet, and no more than a handful of bees. Sat in a field on Saturday in Arundel for a music festival, and not once did I have to swat anything away from my food or drink.
Where are all the insects? on 16:37 - Jul 22 by Hayesender
Also in West Sussex. I haven't seen one wasp all summer yet, and no more than a handful of bees. Sat in a field on Saturday in Arundel for a music festival, and not once did I have to swat anything away from my food or drink.
We should be very concerned about this
What were you drinking?
Chairman of the Junior Hoilett appreciation society
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Where are all the insects? on 16:46 - Jul 22 with 5793 views
I haven't noticed the famous annual Flying Ant Day, although there were a couple of days that I didn't go out. How the flying ants coordinate with one another baffles me.
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Where are all the insects? on 16:53 - Jul 22 with 5782 views
Scarring the sky with chemtrails is causing all this rain which is having a huge impact on nature. Butterflies and bees a rare site these days here in NW1 and I'm right next to Regent's Park! Look how quickly it clouds over when the geo-engineers have done their thing.
Wish I could be like David Watts
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Where are all the insects? on 17:03 - Jul 22 with 5736 views
We sent out a request for more........ they will be arriving on a small dingy next few days.
I think you're all mad.
I've seen nothing but bundles of insects, even more flying ants than ever this year. Bee's? Swarmed by 'em mate -- fella whose garden backs onto me has an 8 foot high hive bang in the middle of a dense street in West London (dense as in population, not those who actually live in it) -- I've been stung three times so far. Bumblers? Loads of 'em.... everywhere. Finally, flies. I kin hate 'em and I'm constantly chasing the fluckers out of my kitchen - still loads about.
Has Ealing become a nature reserve?
Butterflies and dragonflies actually in plentiful quantum over Hanwell Meadow (aka Warren Farm but don't get me started
Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal
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Where are all the insects? on 17:04 - Jul 22 with 5738 views
Where are all the insects? on 16:49 - Jul 22 by 222gers
I haven't noticed the famous annual Flying Ant Day, although there were a couple of days that I didn't go out. How the flying ants coordinate with one another baffles me.
Happy to report we had flying ant day last Wednesday in this part of west London. Also happy to report that they’ve all buggered off now.
[Post edited 22 Jul 17:11]
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Where are all the insects? on 17:05 - Jul 22 with 5726 views
Most of us only stay here because it’s a nightmare getting out of this place, a passport, digital tickets, countless regulations, all different, if you want to take some luggage with you, liquids, customs, it’s never ending. If you’re a bee you can take one look at this country, think fck this, and off you go.
Get to net zero and there won’t be a bug in the Northern Hemisphere. They’ll all be sunning themselves down South.
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Where are all the insects? on 17:07 - Jul 22 with 5683 views
Where are all the insects? on 16:49 - Jul 22 by 222gers
I haven't noticed the famous annual Flying Ant Day, although there were a couple of days that I didn't go out. How the flying ants coordinate with one another baffles me.
I had the misfortune to cycle home on flying ant day the other day. Thank od I had my glasses on, i was being peppered with the lad
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Where are all the insects? on 17:24 - Jul 22 with 5597 views
Where are all the insects? on 17:03 - Jul 22 by Lblock
We sent out a request for more........ they will be arriving on a small dingy next few days.
I think you're all mad.
I've seen nothing but bundles of insects, even more flying ants than ever this year. Bee's? Swarmed by 'em mate -- fella whose garden backs onto me has an 8 foot high hive bang in the middle of a dense street in West London (dense as in population, not those who actually live in it) -- I've been stung three times so far. Bumblers? Loads of 'em.... everywhere. Finally, flies. I kin hate 'em and I'm constantly chasing the fluckers out of my kitchen - still loads about.
Has Ealing become a nature reserve?
Butterflies and dragonflies actually in plentiful quantum over Hanwell Meadow (aka Warren Farm but don't get me started
Had mobs of flying ants pouring out of about 3 separate locations in my garden on Wednesday last week.
Got a couple of these for dealing with flies. Also works a treat on larger moths, but struggles with tiny stuff.
"Someone despises me. That's their problem." Marcus Aurelius
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Where are all the insects? on 17:25 - Jul 22 with 5602 views
The wet and cool weather in late spring/early summer causes honeybees to stay in their hives, eating the honeycomb. They only appear once the temperature warms. Other pollinators are the same, so you might see small bumblebees as they haven't been out and are under weight.
Less insects is impacting bat numbers as there is less to eat.
I'm in SW London and the insects have only just started appearing in the last couple of weeks as we finally have some summer weather.
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Where are all the insects? on 17:28 - Jul 22 with 5586 views
If you want to see more insects, and in particular bees plant sea holly in your garden or in a deep pot so it can establish itself. Other insects use it but it is huge in attracting and helping bees.
Also if you have room build a pond and put pond plants like frog bit and water lettuce around it. Also oxygenating plants in the pond. You can build a pond in an old tyre and just put a liner in it and back fill it.
Where are all the insects? on 17:07 - Jul 22 by robith
I had the misfortune to cycle home on flying ant day the other day. Thank od I had my glasses on, i was being peppered with the lad
A bloke passed me on his bike at the weekend and he had what looked like a bee keepers mask covering his face and it was connected to his cycling helmet.A very good idea I thought. We normally have a lot of flying insects out here in the countryside,but there hasn’t been many this year so far.A few hot and sunny days will bring a few more out in the open.
[Post edited 22 Jul 17:43]
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Where are all the insects? on 17:44 - Jul 22 with 5523 views
Okay, I have just done a tour of the neighbourhood in the interests of research and the LFW community. I walked 2.9 miles (according to my phone) through W9, W10 and NW10.
I tried to cross the canal at Ha'penny Steps, but they were closed off by police tape and there were police all over the place on the south side, because of the young lad who was murdered there yesterday afternoon. So instead I worked my way around to Great Western Road, over the bridge and down into Meanwhile Gardens. By this stage, I still hadn't seen a single fly, bee, hoverfly, or butterfly in any of the gardens, not even on the stands of buddleia dotted here and there. I did see one large wasp. So I thought I would go and see what was happening in the community gardens where there are full time gardeners. I popped my head into their shed and said: where are all the bees!
They laughed and said, you're the third person who's asked that today!
So it's not just me then. However one of the gardeners said 'come with me' and she showed me around the insect friendly beds, where I am happy to report I saw loads of bees, hoverflies, some cabbage whites, a mayfly and even a red admiral. We then discussed the issues of the lack of insects in the rest of the area. She put it down to a combination of no bee friendly flowers, weather and... "something going on with the bees...''
I continued my walk along the canal to Ladbroke Grove, nearly getting run over several times by maniac cyclists, and then to Kensal Green cemetery, in the hope of continuing my research there, but I discovered that the East Gate is closed at 4.30 pm. On my way back, I paid homage to our beloved club by visiting the site of our formation at St Jude's Institute (now St Jude's Hall) on the corner of Ilbert Street and 4th Avenue. In Queen's Park Gardens opposite I saw plenty of bees and other insects in the wildflower beds, but everywhere else I walked was strangely barren of insect life, apart from one hollyhock filled garden, which sported a solitary bumble bee.
So all in all, an inconclusive survey. Summat's up, I tell thee. Good to read all of your reports above though.
Where are all the insects? on 17:03 - Jul 22 by Lblock
We sent out a request for more........ they will be arriving on a small dingy next few days.
I think you're all mad.
I've seen nothing but bundles of insects, even more flying ants than ever this year. Bee's? Swarmed by 'em mate -- fella whose garden backs onto me has an 8 foot high hive bang in the middle of a dense street in West London (dense as in population, not those who actually live in it) -- I've been stung three times so far. Bumblers? Loads of 'em.... everywhere. Finally, flies. I kin hate 'em and I'm constantly chasing the fluckers out of my kitchen - still loads about.
Has Ealing become a nature reserve?
Butterflies and dragonflies actually in plentiful quantum over Hanwell Meadow (aka Warren Farm but don't get me started
The LBoE have done tremendous work rewilding Horsenden Hill, and long may it continue.
The saddest most annoying thing, however, is when I'm back and walking around the area, and you see trash just discarded. Ignorant cnts needing a slap.
'Always In Motion' by John Honney available on amazon.co.uk
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