Reports of ants rocket in the UK during spring as they emerge from their winter homes but they can be hard to clear

Finding you have a stream of ants around your garden or even inside your home can be annoying and uncomfortable. According to pest clearing experts Pest UK, April is the time of year that they get most enquiries on how to clear the insects.

It said: “Depending on the weather they come out of hibernation (or over wintering, insects don’t hibernate in the same way that mammals and rodents do) in March or early April. Often ants in April will forage inside buildings as it may still be too cold outside.

“When its cold they can be difficult to control. The reasons for this are that the metabolism of the ants is still slow and so any uptake of insecticide will take time to work.

“Another reason is that only part of the nest may be active which means that it may take some time for ants from the rest of the nest to come into contact with the insecticides. The ants that you are seeing probably come from several nests.

“They follow pheromone trails left by ants and these trails will attract ants from many different nests. Control is not just finding the nest and killing it because most cases it will not just be one ants’ nest.”

The firm said it uses insecticide bait, a residual insecticide spray or a residual insecticide dust, adding that one or more of these types of treatments may be carried out.

However if you want to try a home grown treatment one expert set out their method using “ingredients you probably already have”. Thach Nguyen, a real estate expert, said: “If you got ant problem in your rental house or even your own primary house, here’s the way how to get rid of it.

“Now you probably have these ingredients already in house, Borox, sugar, cotton balls and water.” He said you should mix together three-quarters of a cup of water, one-quarter cup of sugar and three-quarters of a tablespoon of this Borax.

While Borax is not available on general sale in the UK Borax substitutes that are available will do the same job. These cost as little as £6 for 500g on Amazon.

The expert explained: “Then you take the cotton ball, say, like two or three or four of them, depending how many you need. You dip it inside this mixture where you made then you put these cotton balls where you see a lot, where the ant comes out, and you put it there.

“And then basically, they come and they got to drink this stuff. They’re gonna bring it back to the nest.

“They’re gonna kill all the colony. Now, the next day you wake up, you’re gonna see you ain’t have no ants.”

Metformin is the main treatment for type 2 diabetes but research is also investigating its potential for other conditions, including PCOS

People taking Metformin, the primary treatment for type 2 diabetes, have been informed that it can deliver numerous additional beneficial effects – alongside some adverse ones. Writing on The Conversation website, Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University, explained that it has helped millions manage their blood sugar levels, and has sparked renewed research interest in areas ranging from ageing and cancer to cardiovascular health and fertility.

The drug originates from a plant called galega officinalis, also known as French lilac or goat’s rue, which was originally used in folk remedies for symptoms now understood to be linked with diabetes, such as excessive thirst and frequent urination. During the early 20th century, scientists extracted blood sugar-lowering compounds from the plant, Ms Kamdar explained. Following years of development and clinical testing, metformin proved to be a relatively safe and effective treatment, and was launched in the UK during the late 1950s.

Clinical trials demonstrated that Metformin was successful at reducing glucose levels while also decreasing diabetes-related complications. It subsequently became the principal treatment for type 2 diabetes throughout much of the world.

Scientists are currently investigating whether Metformin could be beneficial for other conditions. Ms Kamdar said: “One common off-label use, meaning a medicine is prescribed for a condition it has not officially been approved to treat, is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

“Many people with PCOS have insulin resistance, which means their bodies do not respond properly to insulin and need to produce more of it to keep blood glucose stable. High insulin levels can stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone.

“Raised androgen levels can disrupt ovulation and contribute to irregular or absent periods. By improving insulin sensitivity, metformin can help reduce these effects and may help regulate the menstrual cycle.”

Ms Kamdar revealed the drug was also being investigated for its potential impact on ageing and longevity. She said: “Although early findings are intriguing, there is still no conclusive evidence that it slows ageing in humans, and it is not approved for that purpose.

“Some research has suggested that metformin may have neuroprotective effects, meaning it could help protect the brain and nervous system, particularly with long-term use. But the evidence is inconsistent, and large, long-term clinical trials are still needed to determine whether metformin really can protect against dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.”

Those taking Metformin may encounter side-effects, Ms Kamdar noted – amongst them nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, changes in taste, and loss of appetite. More seriously, users can also be affected by vitamin B12 deficiency, which has consistently been observed in people with type 2 diabetes who take metformin. “This may happen because the drug reduces how well vitamin B12 is absorbed in the gut.

“Over time, low vitamin B12 can lead to anaemia or peripheral neuropathy. Anaemia means the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen properly, while peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage, usually in the hands or feet, that can cause tingling, numbness, pain or weakness.”

Read the full article here.

Confirming the news, Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “In honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.

Firefighters are tackling the wildfire as it continues to burn throughout the night

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A fire in the peak district is causing clouds of smoke in the Glossop area as residents are issued warning by the fire service.

There is a wildfire burning into the early hours of Friday, May 1 off Snake Pass in the Peak District.

Snake Pass is a 26-mile scenic route in the Peak District National Park linking Sheffield and Manchester.

Partners from the Fire Operations Group (FOG) are currently dealing with the blaze.

The fire service were first informed of the incident at 8.58pm on Thursday, April 30 and flames continue to burn.

There is a large amount of smoke coming from the inferno according to Derbyshire Fire and rescue Service.

Residents have been issued a warning to shut all windows and doors as firefighters work to control the blaze.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We received the call at 8.58pm on April 30. The fire is likely to be causing a smoke plume in and around the Glossop area.

“Keep windows & doors closed.”

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have already put out a warning ahead of summer after there have already been six wildfires in the area this year.

Official data has revealed there have been 83 wildfires across Greater Manchester since 2021, including a significant rise in 2025 when 38 incidents were recorded.

Six wildfires have already been recorded so far in 2026, with warmer and drier conditions during the spring and summer likely to increase the risk, GMFRS said.

“Recent incidents have also highlighted the challenges faced by firefighters tackling wildfires,” a spokesperson said. “Crews have responded to multiple large-scale moorland fires in difficult terrain, often working for extended periods in remote locations and changing conditions to bring incidents under control and prevent further escalation.”

The US justice department says the video also shows Allen “casing the area” at the hotel, on the day before the dinner, when prosecutors say the defendant checked in as a guest. It appears to show him walking down a hotel corridor on the eve of the gala and popping into the hotel gym.

Further statements will be provided to give background to the treatment and care Laura Vasilisina received before her death.

A coroner will review the mental health treatment and care received by a teenager before her death. Laura Vasilisina died aged 19 at her home in Cambridge.

The hearing by Coroner Simon Milburn took place on Wednesday, April 29, at Vantage House in Huntingdon. Mr Milburn decided the inquest will need to look at the treatment and care Miss Vasilisina received for her mental health and drug and alcohol use before her death.

Miss Vasilisina had been in contact with the liaison psychiatry service provided by Cambridge University Hospitals. She was being treated for a history of drugs and alcohol use that had affected her mental health, and had also been in contact with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

A toxicology report showed there was a mix of drugs and alcohol in her system at the time of her death. Further statements will be provided by the liaison psychiatry service and doctors who had been in contact with Miss Vasilisina before her death.

The pre-inquest heard that Miss Vasilisina’s treatment and care history prior to her death “will be relevant to the background” for the inquest. The inquest was adjourned and will be reviewed in 12 weeks after the statements have been provided.

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​Colin Straker has applied to turn a five-bed property at at 40, Gladstone Street in Scarborough into a seven-bed House in Multiple Occuptaion (HMO) for nine people.

​However, neighbours and councillors have objected to the proposed conversion of the property, which is an eight-minute walk away from Scarborough Railway Station.

​According to the applicant, the property is currently underutilised, and its conversion into an HMO would “optimise its use without significantly reducing the availability of family housing in the area”.

​Local residents are “beside themselves” over the scheme, according to councillors on Scarborough Town Council’s community and place committee.

​Speaking at a committee meeting on Wednesday, April 29, Cllr William Stuart said: “The supplementary planning document is clear that no more than 10 per cent of residential properties within a 100-metre radius of an application site should be in HMO use in order to protect community balance and avoid harmful overconcentration.

​He added that the area already “appears likely to meet or exceed the 10 per cent threshold set out”.

​Submitted plans state that a “thorough analysis of the local area has been undertaken to ensure that the introduction of this HMO will not lead to an overconcentration of HMO’s, thereby maintaining the community balance”.

​The applicant added that the HMO would be professionally managed, “ensuring tenant screening, property maintenance, and responsible occupancy”.

​“The conversion ensures minimal impact on local amenities, addresses parking concerns, and contributes positively to the housing mix in Scarborough.”

​However, North Yorkshire Council’s housing team said the proposed floor plans “predominantly consist of self-contained studio units which do not meet the current space standards for the number of occupiers”.

​“The proposed studios fall significantly below the expected minimum standards, with many being approximately half of the required floor space,” officers said.

​A neighbour, Joanne Burnley, said: “There is only parking on one side of the street with double yellow lines on my side of the street.

​“It is hard enough to park in our zone as it is without an extra residence of seven people with the potential of seven more cars. This could really impact the value of our houses on our street.”

“Our street is quite busy with traffic, and with more cars it will become busier.”

​Cllr William Stuart said: “Gladstone Street is a constrained residential street with parking available on only one side of the road. Parking pressures in the locality are already significant. Intensifying occupation to seven unrelated residents is likely to further increase demand for on-street parking in an area that is already struggling to accommodate existing residents and visitors.”

​Cllr Robert Everall added: “I’ve already been contacted by two people who live in Gladstone Street and they are absolutely beside themselves regarding this. They cannot park their cars there as it is.

​“I know that a lot of the neighbours are really, really worried about this.”

​North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the proposal which is currently open to representations from members of the public.

A commercial pilot has shared cockpit footage of what it looks like to land a plane – and people have said one detail is so ‘terrifying’ they could never do it themselves

If you’ve ever assumed being a pilot was straightforward work, you might want to reconsider.

When you step aboard an aircraft, you place enormous faith in your pilot to deliver you safely to your destination. Most of us recognise they face considerable challenges, requiring years of costly training and meeting rigorous requirements to obtain a pilot’s licence. In reality, you cannot even begin pilot training unless you satisfy strict criteria, including specifications around your height and eyesight.

These criteria exist to ensure you’re in optimal condition to operate an aircraft carrying passengers from one airport to another across the globe. While it’s a demanding profession, hundreds of thousands of pilots worldwide undertake this responsibility every single day.

But have you ever pondered what the actual process of operating an aircraft looks like from their viewpoint?

Most of us drift off to sleep or become absorbed in an in-flight film when travelling by plane, meaning we don’t fully appreciate the complete experience of flying through the air. One pilot on social media has allowed the public a peek at what landing an aircraft entails – leaving some viewers utterly stunned.

Mattias, an A320 commercial pilot, frequently posts videos on TikTok and Instagram showcasing his life as a pilot. In one recent TikTok video, he demonstrated what landing an aircraft involves, including precisely what occurs when the plane descends through the clouds back towards the ground.

The pilot, who uses a fixed-mounted camera to capture his footage so he can remain fully focused on flying, first revealed the brilliant blue sky the aircraft was cutting through, with clouds stretching out beneath the plane.

Yet as he began his descent, the plane plunged through the clouds into murky conditions below. The cloud cover was so dense that the camera couldn’t pick out any details until the runway lights suddenly emerged — along with neighbouring houses that appeared alarmingly close.

Mattias brought the plane down flawlessly and was seen guiding it to the gate, where passengers disembarked without a hitch, yet viewers were left utterly “terrified” by what they had witnessed.

Some questioned whether pilots were simply “guessing” where they needed to land, given there appeared to be virtually no visibility, while others claimed the footage sent their “heart to the roof”.

One person wrote: “So… you’re just guessing?”

Another added: “I know it’s their job and what they are trained for, but just watching that landing sent my heart to the roof. The speed!! Carrying 1000s of people to safety. God bless all pilots!”

A third posted: “Well, that’s even more terrifying than I thought.”

How do pilots know where to go?

Pilots navigate the skies using a pre-loaded flight plan stored in the aircraft’s computer, which links up via virtual GPS waypoints. They rely on a blend of methods, including cutting-edge satellite navigation such as GPS, ground-based radio beacons, and instructions from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to remain on course.

According to a YouTube video posted by easyJet in 2021, the flight plan generates “virtual signposts” in the sky to steer the pilot in the correct direction, alerting them when they need to turn. These function even in poor visibility, meaning pilots can safely navigate the skies and land aircraft even in foggy or wet conditions.