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Summer is well and truly here – along with a growing army of unwanted creepy crawlies that are invading Britain's homes.
Horrified Brits say their houses are crawling with ants, wasps and maggots, with some now 'terrified' to go into the kitchen at all.
So what's behind this invasion? According to experts, the hot weather means bugs are breeding faster and making their way indoors in search of food, water and shelter.
Open windows provide a convenient route inside for the undesirable visitors, which can quickly become a nuisance.
Some are simply annoying, while others can deliver a painful bite or sting if disturbed.
'Summer is the peak season for many household pests,' Paul Blackhurst, head of technical academy at Rentokil Pest Control, told Which?.
'As temperatures rise, insects become more active, breeding cycles speed up and colonies begin to grow.
'That's why homeowners often notice an increase in pests, from ants and fruit flies in the kitchen to wasps in the garden during the warmer months. However, there are a few preventative steps you can take.'
People have gone online to complain of an 'ant infestation' in the UK. Others have shared horrified clips of an army of ants taking over kitchens
Ants
You're bound to find more ants in the summer as they often enter kitchens in search of sugary foods, Mr Blackhurst explained.
Hotspots include larders, kitchen worktops, cupboards and areas around pet food as they offer easy access to moisture and nutrition.
Mr Blackhurst said you can help prevent them by regularly wiping up crumbs and spills, storing food in sealed containers, sealing gaps around doors and windows, keeping bins closed and removing uneaten pet food.
'Seeing one or two ants indoors isn't usually a cause for concern,' he added.
'However, if you notice a continuous trail of ants returning to the same area over several days, it's often a sign a nearby colony has established a reliable route into your home.
'Nests are commonly found beneath patios, in wall cavities, under floors or around the property's foundations, where they can remain hidden from view.
'If ants are a persistent problem, then professional help may be the best option.'
One woman in Norfolk (left) revealed there were lots of wasps buzzing around her garden at this time of year. Another shared a video with a wasp buzzing around her head while she tried to enjoy the sun
Wasps
Terrified Brits have also complained their gardens have become a magnet for wasps this summer.
'Queen wasps emerge from hibernation in spring and look for warm, sheltered and undisturbed places to build their nests,' Mr Blackhurst said.
He recommends looking out for nests in sheds, lofts and roof spaces. Tips for prevention include sealing gaps around eaves and vents, keeping sheds tidy and removing sheltered nesting spots.
'The earlier a nest is identified, the easier and safer it is to manage,' the expert explained.
'However, you shouldn't try to remove active nests yourself. Disturbing a wasp nest can cause the colony to become aggressive, putting you at greater risk of getting stung. So, it's best to bring in the professionals.'
Fruit flies
These tiny black flies are drawn to ripening fruit, recycling, food waste and even kitchen drains.
In summer, a couple of fruit flies can turn into a full–blown infestation, like this person discovered (left). Another lady (right) said she was spending her days chasing fruit flies with a mini vacuum
Although they're spotted year–round, warmer weather shortens their life cycle – meaning they breed more quickly and multiply fast. In summer, a couple of flies can turn into a full–blown infestation.
You can help prevent them by throwing away overripe fruit, rinsing recycling, cleaning bins and drains and storing soft fruit in the fridge, Mr Blackhurst said.
If these tips fail, you can try a targeted chemical insecticide made for kitchen use.
A homemade trap using apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing–up liquid can help catch adult fruit flies.
'The vinegar attracts the flies by mimicking the smell of fermenting fruit, while the washing–up liquid breaks the surface tension, causing them to sink and drown,' Mr Blackhurst explained.
'However, traps only deal with the adult flies, so it's equally important to remove the breeding source to prevent the infestation from returning.'
Fleas
While you might spot fleas on your pet, most of an infestation is actually found in the home, in places such as carpets and soft furnishings.
This woman complained of fleas in a restaurant – likely brought in by dogs. The expert suggests treating your pets regularly, vacuuming thoroughly and washing pet bedding on a hot wash
Regular flea treatment for your pet is important, but if fleas have already taken hold, treating your pet alone won't get rid of the problem, Mr Blackhurst said.
You'll also need to thoroughly clean and treat your home to remove eggs and larvae before they can develop.
He suggests treating your pets regularly, vacuuming thoroughly and washing pet bedding on a hot wash.
Even after treatment, Mr Blackhurst said it's not unusual to continue seeing fleas for a short period of time.
He explained: 'Regular vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to reduce flea numbers, particularly around skirting boards, under furniture and in areas where pets spend most of their time.
'Vacuum contents should be disposed of in an outside bin immediately after cleaning, and pet bedding and blankets should be washed on a hot cycle to help kill flea eggs and larvae.
'Flea pupae can remain dormant for weeks or even months before emerging, which is why infestations can appear to return even when treatment has been carried out correctly.
'If flea activity continues despite treating both the pet and the home, professional pest control may be required.'
Clothes moths can be an issue all year round, but summer is when people are more likely to notice them. Pictured: A girl in Glasgow complaining of clothes moths
Clothes moths
Like fruit flies, warmer weather speeds up the reproductive cycle of clothes moths.
This means that while they can be a problem year–round, summer is when people are more likely to notice them.
Experts suggest keeping an eye out for holes in wool and cashmere, as well as larvae or cocoons in wardrobes.
Storing your clothes when they're clean, vacuuming wardrobes and washing or temporarily freezing affected items can help prevent them.
Clothes moths are attracted to natural fibres such as wool, silk and cashmere as they contain keratin, a protein their larvae feed on.
Mr Blackhurst recommends keeping a watchful eye on valuable clothing, especially when it's stored for long periods over summer.
You can use pheromone traps which – although they won't eradicate an infestation – will help to monitor, locate and reduce flying adult moth numbers. Severely damaged clothes may need to be thrown away.
One girl in Yorkshire shared a starling video showing swarms of flying ants in the sky (left). Another joked that the UK's phone alert should have been for flying ant day (right)
Flying ants
These pests are ordinary ants in a winged reproductive stage, which is why they suddenly appear in large numbers on warm, sunny days.
While they may seem alarming, they're a normal part of ants' breeding cycle and usually disappear within a day or two.
Sealing gaps around windows and doors can help prevent them entering your home, as well as keeping doors and windows closed during peak swarming.
'While flying ant swarms are usually short–lived and don't typically require treatment, persistent ant activity inside the home or repeated sightings from the same area may indicate an established nest nearby and could require professional attention,' Mr Blackhurst said.
Maggots
Maggots are fly larvae that can appear surprisingly quickly in wheelie bins and food waste during warm weather.
Once flies lay eggs, they can hatch within as little as 24 hours, allowing infestations to build rapidly.
Maggots are fly larvae that can appear surprisingly quickly in wheelie bins and food waste during warm weather. Once flies lay eggs, they can hatch within as little as 24 hours, allowing infestations to build rapidly.
Ways to prevent them include bagging food waste securely before binning it, keeping bin lids closed and cleaning up spills.
Storing bins in the shade, where possible, can also help.
'If the infestation is confined to the bin, pouring boiling water over the maggots can be an effective way to kill them, before thoroughly cleaning the bin with hot, soapy water or a disinfectant to remove any remaining eggs or food residue,' Mr Blackhurst said.
'However, if flies continue to return or the infestation persists despite good hygiene, it may indicate a larger breeding source nearby and professional pest control should be considered.'