By Rebecca Flood
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A man claims he was unable to pump gas after an infestation of insects covered every inch of an Alabama gas station, prompting people to compare it to the rapture.
Ty Leo was heading out to fill up his car at the Weiss Mart Marina, when a swarm of what looks like mayflies descended onto the forecourt.
The insects covered the walls, windows, floor and all the pumps in incredible scenes, which even Leo himself admitted he had never seen before.
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Leo shared a clip to TikTok on Monday, saying: "Never in my life have I ever saw this many bugs ! Couldn't even pump gas."
More than five million people have watched the video, which features what appears to be a father-and-son frolicking in the pile of insects.
Mayflies are harmless, however their short lifespans can cause them to be a nuisance as piles of dead bugs clog drains, and make roads slippery.
Numerous people commented on the clips with a mix of horror and revolution, with Jay9seek saying: "Kids playing in them like it's snow!"
Similarly Tara Crane asked: "Why is there a kid playing in them."
JustLinaHere commented: "How are these ppl just walking around like there is nothing wrong. I wouldn't even leave my house."
Daughter of Christ asked: "Why is no one talking about the kid standing in the middle of it like nothing."
Chase P suggested: "Someone send this to Stephen King. Book out next fall."
Sam reckoned: "The end times are coming."
Ethereal in E joked: "It's the end of the world as we know it."
"Isn't this in the bible lol," Landon said.
Heath Wiggins compared it to: "The upside down from Stranger Things."
While Ciao added: "Ya'll better go out and put an X on your door or whatever you supposed to do."
Mayfly swarms are abundant in Alabama around May, June and July. The flies are often spotted close to lakes, with Weiss Mart Marina located on the banks of the Coosa River.
Website Al.com noted their resurgence every year, writing: "The appropriately-named 'mayfly' is making its appearance in waters across Alabama as the short-lived aquatic insects rise to the surface, spread their wings and make their one-day mating flights before death.
"The annual hatch, which produces countless millions of the insects on fertile lakes like Guntersville, is a huge food source for many species of fish. It also triggers a rare fishing opportunity for anglers who take advantage of the feeding frenzy."
Newsweek reached out to Leo for comment.
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