Towns in the vicinity of the Ijsselmeer are currently being overrun by insects.
Many buildings and cars parked near the coast of the large body of water seem to be surrounded by a cloud of the buzzer midges, a nonbiting midge species.
There are noticeably higher numbers of midges in Stavoren and the Afsluitdijk in particular. The insects tend to land on windows and the facades of buildings and can cause problems for cyclists and drivers.
The midge invasion is an annual occurrence, and their numbers are likely especially strong this year due to unseasonably warm weather.
The midges do not bite or sting, but they can leave a mess behind on cars and windows. After mating, they lay eggs and then die.
