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Flies in the greenhouse

ScraggiesueScraggiesue Posts: 11
in Problem solving
We have recently installed a new greenhouse and having a problem with common black flies which are congregating at the top of the glass (there are lots of them!). Can anyone please advise me of the best way to deal with this? We have thought of putting some fine mesh around inside of the top vents but as these open automatically when the greenhouse warms up, this could be difficult. I don't want to use sprays and have put up some sticky papers as a temporary measure but would be grateful for any helpful suggestions and to know how other people have overcome this problem, thanks, Sue. 
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  • ScraggiesueScraggiesue Posts: 11
    Hi, thanks for your reply but that's the problem. The windows open automatically, the flies are coming in and then congregating inside the roof of the greenhouse, they don't seem to want to leave! I suppose it's because of the warmth. Maybe I could have a chat with them and ask them nicely to go! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Are they causing a problem?  They'll probably go as quickly as they came once the weather improves ... at the moment they're doing what most sensible beings do when it's wet and cold ... hanging out somewhere warm and dry.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ScraggiesueScraggiesue Posts: 11
    No they are not causing a problem really, there are just so many of them and it freaks me out a bit. Your advice is good, I will just try and be patient and wait for them to find a better place to hang out, many thanks. 
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
    Sounds like cluster flies.
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    Yes, sounds like cluster flies to me too. Count yourself lucky - I have them all over the bathroom and have no idea where they're coming from1
  • lucy 981lucy 981 Posts: 3
    We have a terrible problem with flies in our conservatory as the weather starts to warm up. Hundreds of them gather and it's really irritating - the buzzing is terrible. We are surrounded by farm land so I suspect that's the problem. 
    There are fly traps you can buy from farm and pet shops which you hang up outside near your greenhouse/conservatory - https://www.farmchem.co.uk/red-top-fly-catcher-694-p.asp?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7uS448el2gIVBZ3tCh0M7g8bEAQYASABEgLDj_D_BwE  It doesn't get rid of them completely but it does significantly reduce them in numbers. Don't listen to the theory of hanging up bags of water to repel them - trust me, it doesn't work.

  • ScraggiesueScraggiesue Posts: 11
    Thanks for all replies and advice received so far, it's much appreciated. Yes, we are also in a rural area so that may be the problem. I have sticky papers but hate killing anything. I plan to try and attach some fine mesh near the vents so that they can't get in if we can find a way to do it (talking to them & saying they weren't welcome didn't work !!!) 
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    Hi Sue,

    Might be worth getting some carnivorous plants ...

    https://www.littleshopofhorrors.co.uk/trumpet-pitchers

    I've got 3 sarracenias in the greenhouse and don't seem to get too many flies.

    Bee x

    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  • ScraggiesueScraggiesue Posts: 11
    Hi Bee,

    Thank you for the suggestion of getting some carnivorous plants & for the link, I will certainly give this a try. The plants won't go hungry! x 
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    I am tagging onto this as I have suddenly inexplicably started getting alarming numbers of flies in my greenhouse. I think they are bigger than cluster flies (we have those in our house in France. One time an inch deep in some rooms after leaving it all autumn, an event now known a Flymageddon.) Why would I get them? What would attract them to the greenhouse? (If I know I might be able to ameliorate the situation.) I can't spot anything dead in there, or any animal faeces (thank goodness). The windows are open and the door also wide open in this heat. This explains how they get in, but... why?!
    I am growing tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and chillies in there, so of course I can wash things, but not happy about it! There are a lot.
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