Billions of daddy long legs to invade homes for two weeks during mating season

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Daddy long legs could run riot as billions of new bugs emerge from the soil and look for a mate over the next two weeks.Experts say the hot spells this summer provided ideal weather conditions for the insects to breed and multiply.

The creatures may have unnervingly odd bodies, but experts emphasise they're an important part of the ecosystem.About 200 billion new bugs could hatch, according to the charity Buglife.

As frightening as that may sound, daddy long legs - also known as crane flies - are harmless and Brits are encouraged to catch and release them outside.A spokesman for the group said: "Although they can cause a bit of bother in homes with their incessant fluttering, they are placid creatures, literally incapable of hurting a fly." The insects are good for the environment, reports the Daily Star, as their larvae help enrich the soil, turning dead organic matter into nutrient-rich material.

The Buglife spokesman added: "And they're also breakfast, lunch and dinner for birds, bats, amphibians, spiders, other insects, reptiles and fish, which are building up reserves to see them through winter." The baking hot summer - with less rain to affect them in their underground tunnels - means there could be a record number of bugs this year.