You know the whole 'Plagues of Egypt' thing?

[FurrySlipperBoots]

I have something similar going on over here. Except instead of locusts, it's crane flies. After dodgy summers, we get a few, after decent summers, we get a lot. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS! There are craneflies, on top of the crane flies, on top of the crane flies, on top of everything else... (Craneflies are those daddy-long-legs winged floaty insect things that disintegrate if you glance at them). They're all in various stages of 'demise', crawling brokenly about. Has my home been singled out or is it the same everywhere?! I used to have a full on phobia of them and I would have gone out of my mind with fear a few years back. I just have a strong distaste for them now, and freak out a little bit if they get near my face or touch me. Absolutely revolting things and a ridiculously flawed design. What's even the point in a creature that's purpose in life if to fall apart and die slowly and miserably? What are they adding to the world?!

Anyway, rant over. I just wanted to know if everyone else is overwhelmed with them too?

None here in Somerset.

Not just you, here in Sussex too. I nipped into a public loo today and they were everywhere, in the cubicles, over the walls and crawling over the basins. My need for a wee overcame my distaste of them, though

Big creepy spiders in my house. Weirdly slow - not your usual scuttly types

I was only saying at the weekend that I haven't seen one this year; they're all in Sussex and wherever you are OP! (You can keep them)

Squillions bumping around all over the place here in South Wales too!

I have got flies; larger than houseflies, but not as large as bluebottles.Horrible. I have reluctantly resorted to fly spray.

They always remind me of my school days. To get to the lunch hall we had to go along a walkway under a corrugated plastic roof. Every September, when we went back, that roof used to be heaving with the bloody things. We all used to race along that passage to avoid being attacked. I know they are harmless, but they always appear a bit drunk and not entirely in control of themselves - the thought of them getting caught in our hair was truly terrifying 😁

@Ohyesiam

Are you rural or urban? Weirdly I did a temp nanny job near Wells throughout October a couple of years ago, and there wasn't a single one!! I can't get my head round that. I'm in Cornwall, and if anything you think they'd like it less here because it's coastal and windy!

I have a vivid memory of running across the school playing field as a 9 year old in September and a vast brown, wibbly wave of crane flies rising up out of the grass at me.

Hopefully they'll all get nommed up by the big fat garden spiders.

I have got flies; larger than houseflies, but not as large as bluebottles.Horrible. I have reluctantly resorted to fly spray.

Urgh, we have them too! 'Cluster flies'. I made the mistake of opening the window this morning and it was like opening Pandora's box! I actually screamed and staggered backwards as they came swarming into the room.

Hundreds of them here in rural Surrey. They are waiting for me on the doors to my house...

I feel like these plague events don't happen so often any more. When I was a child (I'm mid 30's), I remember numerous flying ant days and crane fly days. They were horrific! Don't recall any as an adult though. I wonder what changed?

I live overseas now in the Middle East. We caught the tail end of a locust swarm here last year (by tail end I mean I saw 3 😁). Three was enough. I can't imagine a plague of those monsters, they're so huge and uncoordinated.

I'm in rural SE and haven't seen a single one since moving here 4 years ago. Plenty of spiders and other creepies though. In the city we were plagued with them each Autumn

The poor things only have a life of 10 - 15 days. They won't hurt you, they don't even have any jaws and the larvae is really good for the environment.

Rights for Daddy-long-legs!! ✌🏻

You need a cat. They eat crane flies.

We've got thousands of the hideous things here too. I went out for a bit last night, and just took the back door keys. The entire of the back of the house was covered in them, like a moving brown wall.
I'm not ashamed to say I woke dh up to let me in the front door instead!

My worst nightmare. Honestly, I'd rather be locked in a room with a spider than a crane fly, or a moth. I've not seen any yet (rural Scotland) but the moths are out. Luckily the bats eat them!

Hair spray kills daddy longs.

Daddy long legs

@OctopusNow

Oh? What do the larvae do that's good? I'm guessing the 15 days is when they're cranefly form rather than including the leatherjacket phase?

I'm glad they've got a spokesperson in you! If you'd like to open a sanctuary you're welcome to take mine! You will need an articulated lorry to take them all though.

You need a cat. They eat crane flies.

I have a dog, but thank goodness she DOESN'T eat them! I think the only thing worse than having them would be to witness my lovely girl eating the buggers!

Leatherjackets wreck your lawn.

I saw something in the news about a massive invasion of crane flies. Apparently breeding conditions have been absolutely perfect.

Two years ago here it was black flies here. The rabbit population had exploded the year before thanks to fantastic breeding weather, myxomatosis had killed them off in great numbers and as a result, the dead rabbits meant that the flies were everywhere. (not envy) You couldn't open a window for five seconds without filling the house with them! Standing in the garden for a chat with the neighbour was impossible.

We’re not usually overrun with crane flies but do normally see them about. Not a single one this year, really strange.

No moths either.