“Many beaches” in Vendée “have been completely emptied, and even some closed due to the presence of stinging insects” on Thursday August 24, indicates Météo Côtière Vendée. According to the Courrier vendéen, it is an invasion of flying ants, having flocked to the Vendée coast following strong storms. “In case of red patches, apply soothing cream or cortisone”, recommends this Facebook page dedicated to the weather. The commune of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez was the first to take action.
“Following strong stormy episodes and the presence of many insects on our beaches, as a safety measure all the beaches of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez have been temporarily closed,” the city said Thursday mid-afternoon. , on his Facebook page. A few hours later, a new message announced the reopening of “Pège beach, Mouettes beach, Becs beach, Salins beach, Soixante Bornes beach, Demoiselles beach”.
“Indeed, the invasion lasted a few hours,” confirmed the city’s deputy mayor, Vincent Pipaud, adding that “with the wind, it picked up.” According to him, the phenomenon concerned “the entire Vendée coast, with the presence of flying ants and black gnats, but no mosquitoes”.
The municipalities of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Saint-Jean-de-Monts and Bretignolles-sur-Mer also had to close their beaches on Thursday for the same reasons.
