BBQ plans put on hold for Australian family due to frenzied mating season at their suburban park

A terrified family have been forced to call off a barbecue after thousands of ants took over their lunch spot.

Footage of the insect swarm shows staggering number of flying and crawling ants covering hot plates and a surrounding table.

One of the family members took to Reddit to share the video, which was taken in a suburban Australian park on Monday.

A fellow Reddit user was quick to point out it was an ant swarm, which usually occurs during spring.

‘Have noticed a lot of activity in the suburb over the last week but today was next level,’ the original poster replied, and explained why they fled the area.

‘The kids didn’t enjoy having ants crawling up their legs and didn’t want to trample on them.’

Another suggested the uncleaned hot plates on the barbecue equipment compounded the situation.

Footage of the insect swarm shows staggering number of flying and crawling ants covering hot plates (pictured) and surrounding table

Scientifically referred to as alates, flying ants can be male and female, with their primary life purpose to reproduce and start new colonies. 

This occurs in the form of ‘swarms’, where winged ants take flight and breed mid-air.  

In a brutal cycle of life moment, once they have successfully mated, the male promptly dies.

The queen then lands and finds a safe place to start the new nest.

One of the family members took to Reddit to share the video, which was taken in a suburban Australian park on Monday (pictured are the ants on a wooden bench)