Plague of flies

[Fitzgeraldo]

I have been extremely irritated by a recent dramatic increase in the population of flies in my small back-garden. In particular, I have noted large numbers of shiny, iridescent green flies. I have also observed several horseflies. As I do not keep horses, I have wondered as to the reason for this phenomenon.

Have other members of the Forum noticed a similar increase in the numbers of these insects? Is there evidence of release by malicious fly-breeders? Could it be part of a maverick ?Rewilding? project? (Perhaps providing food for birds and other insectivores).

Tobacco smoke and alcohol vapour (slowly escaping from a glass) together seem to have little deterrent effect. Do members have suggestions for keeping these unwanted pests at bay?

[seenbeen]

I can always tell if any neighbourhood cats have deposited in my garden because of the number of green shiny flies around + the smell. Apparently the green shiny ones like dead things too.

[LJC56]

Yes, there do seem to be more of these about this year. It usually means there is something decaying in the garden somewhere, not always obvious, often fox or cat poo. But just today I saw a dead slug in the birdbath, covered in flies....ugh.

[EDmummy]

We?ve also noticed more. They are great pollinators

[Countrlass22]

That's green bottle flies u get them anyone leaving food reminents. Sweet drinks spilt fox poo.

We had our Dulwich property garden due neighbours gard not regularly clearing up fox poo.

Lots it.

I regularly cleaned my bit so only flies got were from neighbours.

If ate outside spilled I'd discenfected worked well.

[singalto]

I too have noticed a big increase in those big flies but also a big decline in bees and bumble bees. I haven?t seen any wasps at all.

[LJC56]

Wasps all over the fennel just now. Evidently fennel is a wasp magnet, which rather puts me off it. Lots of bees too, on the lavender.

[RedstarGreen]

Swarms of flying ants around last week.

[Mariamadeit]

Yes tonight was particularly bad for the green bottles- they seem partial to Parmesan! Several wasps also. Interested to hear deterrent ideas.

[KidKruger]

Assume the green bottles have just been on a dog/cat/fox poo in the next garden.

[zork]

So many flies tonight we had to move our al fresco dinner indoorsco

Been here 10 years, never happened before, noticed increase in flies pre-heatwave too!

[TE44]

LJC56 Wrote:

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> Wasps all over the fennel just now. Evidently

> fennel is a wasp magnet, which rather puts me off

> it. Lots of bees too, on the lavender.

Are you sure its not hoverflies, they love yarrow.

[Brian Tee]

I?ve noticed this too, on the area around Peckham Rye Park. We?ve had an unprecedented number of the shiny green flies, which are partial to our dog?s poo, but also to nothing food based. Perhaps it?s a consequence of all the open air spaces increase in human poo. There?s a human turd lurking behind almost every Bush in Peckham Rye Park. The dog owners pick their dogs ?gifts? up. Why not the humans?

[yeknomyeknom]

Yes, near the park too. They seem to come in the afternoon specifically.

[Fitzgeraldo]

Within minutes of walking into the garden this morning I became the focus of a cloud of small black flies. I was just about to rush indoors when I caught a whiff of something unpleasant. Examination of left shoe revealed large deposit of Dulwich foxshit. So, guess there is some truth in previous postings. However, no green, shiny flies - or large horseflies - so where did they go?

[JohnL]

I saw a green bluebottle (if thats what you cal it)

Got a spray of insect killer in its face.

[DulwichFox]

Flies hate the smell of Essential Oils like lemon grass, peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus.

Apart from the Smoke the smell of Joss Sticks also deters them.

Burning a couple near an open front door stops them coming into the house.

Foxy

[KidKruger]

That's why we're strictly shoes-off in the house !

Fitzgeraldo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Within minutes of walking into the garden this

> morning I became the focus of a cloud of small

> black flies. I was just about to rush indoors when

> I caught a whiff of something unpleasant.

> Examination of left shoe revealed large deposit of

> Dulwich foxshit. So, guess there is some truth in

> previous postings. However, no green, shiny flies

> - or large horseflies - so where did they go?

[DulwichFox]

I have been feeding Our Foxes for years. They are there every night.

They never leave any unwanted deposits outside my house.