Strange fly infestation at home!

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

For the last few days I've had a bizarre fly infestation at home and I've no idea how or why. If I shut all of my doors and windows they just appear from nowhere.

Now, I actually had the same 2 years ago and after maybe a week or so they never came back, until now. Interestingly, 2 years ago was also a hot summer, whether that's coincidence or not I don't know.

They INCREDIBLY dosile, and often when I do first see them they're already dead. I'm tending to clear them up as and when through the day but I was out all day yesterday and, I'm not kidding, I came home to find a good 80 of the fkers sprawled across my living room, dining area and kitchen (these 3 areas are all open plan).

Last time I actually found little things from where they hatch embedded in my rather deep pile carpet, but I can't for the life of me find where they're coming from now.

I'm not sure what they are, but they're pretty gross and it's a bit concerning. I'm not an untidy or dirty person, for reference!

Any thoughts?!

[magpie215]

bird fallen down the chimney died= maggot food.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

magpie215 said:

bird fallen down the chimney died= maggot food.

Hmmm, good call. I haven't used my fireplace for a very long time. I'll chuck some stuff in there and try to burn the fkers if they're up there

[Wacky Racer]

I think they are called cluster flies, usually only around for a few days a year.

When you go to swat them they don't fly away like normal flies.

They will be gone in a week.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Wacky Racer said:

I think they are called cluster flies, usually only around for a few days a year.

When you go to swat them they don't fly away like normal flies.

They will be gone in a week.

Yes! They're very docile and easy to swat. I hope you're right, that happened last time but it's still horrible!

Appreciate your response! Any idea why I have them?!

[Wacky Racer]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

Yes! They're very docile and easy to swat. I hope you're right, that happened last time but it's still horrible!

Appreciate your response! Any idea why I have them?!

I seem to get them every year about this time, if one is on a table and you hover your hand six inches over them they don't fly away, almost like they are drugged or have a death wish

Then, a week later. no sign of them.

Very strange.

[Simpo Two]

I had this too, about three days ago. I emptied the kitchen waste bin but it didn't have any effect. I must have killed about 50 of the fkers.

They just seemed to materialise in the kitchen; I can't think there are any rotting carcasses I don't know about.

I call them greenbottles.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Simpo Two said:

I had this too, about three days ago. I emptied the kitchen waste bin but it didn't have any effect. I must have killed about 50 of the fkers.

They just seemed to materialise in the kitchen; I can't think there are any rotting carcasses I don't know about.

Well I'm glad it isn't just me!!! It's really rather alarming, makes the house feel dirty

Hopefully they'll be gone soon. I don't think today has been quite as bad as yesterday, but hard to tell because I've been cleaning them up as and when.

[waa]

I would check your loft with a large can of fly spray.?

[Simpo Two]

waa said:

I would check your loft with a large can of fly spray.?

In my case the flies were only downstairs. I did wonder if the wind was blowing them in from outside as it was a hot period and I had the doors open.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Simpo Two said:

waa said:

I would check your loft with a large can of fly spray.?

In my case the flies were only downstairs. I did wonder if the wind was blowing them in from outside as it was a hot period and I had the doors open.

Same, I have none upstairs at all. They generally seem to be more prominent as the day goes on and gets warmer. This morning hasn't been too bad, I think I've cleared up 6 or 7 only (which obviously includes any to have come about overnight).

[Mobile Chicane]

Cluster flies.

They get into nooks and crannies in old buildings.

Nothing to worry about other than continually Hoovering them up at this time of year.

Just wait until you get ladybirds coming in to hibernate they bite.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

They appear to have gone now, thankfully! No ladybirds to speak of..... Yet

[Blackpuddin]

They somehow grow up in our upstairs window frames, first opening of the year and about 100 of them stagger out.

[JagYouAre]

Blackpuddin said:

They somehow grow up in our upstairs window frames, first opening of the year and about 100 of them stagger out.

Yes, I found hundreds of cluster flies in the window frames last year (only on one side of the house, strangely, presumably the other side gets too much sun). I gave all the frames a good and thorough clean one day and they have not been back since. They leave all sorts of crap around where they have been which smells bad, so important to clean. You can get some specific spray stuff to help prevent cluster flies but I forget what it's called.

[Silvanus]

Wacky Racer said:

I think they are called cluster flies, usually only around for a few days a year.

When you go to swat them they don't fly away like normal flies.

They will be gone in a week.

Yep, harmless but seriously annoying. Not much you can do to prevent them as they will be most likely coming from off your property. The only option is to kill/catch/prevent them entering somehow.