Ventnor hit the national headlines on 14th August 1925 – 100 years ago today – when it was reported that the South Wight town had been hit by a flying ant invasion.
The roads and pavements of the High Street, other thoroughfares, the Esplanade and the beach were said to have become literally smothered with myriads of these insects.
Holidaymakers were forced to return to their rooms, and those venturing outside were said to have been covered by ants from head to foot.
Such was the effect of the swarms of winged insects that it brought a complete halt to traffic in the seaside resort. A police sergeant was apparently forced to return to his station with his resplendent blue uniform turned dark brown by multitudes of these clinging pests.
Ants were not the only insect plagues to have hit the South Coast on that Summer’s day a century ago. It was also reported that vast swarms of small black flies were crossing the English Channel from France under the cover of fog en route to England’s seaside towns.
Ants were not the only insect plagues to have hit the South Coast on that Summer’s day a century ago. It was also reported that vast swarms of small black flies were crossing the English Channel from France under the cover of fog en route to England’s seaside towns.
now it is vast swarms of human flies arriving by dinghy, ready to leech off the uk benefit system
At least they were disposable with insect spray.
The only flys in Britain are Patriots