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Help - Can anyone identify these flies?

bakerboo_666bakerboo_666 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi - new member, desperate for some help. For about 2-3 weeks now I've had a recurring infestation of some type of fly. My parents, very keen gardeners, say they are not greenfly. I've been spraying/pouring warm soapy water on whatever they've settled on (mostly furniture) every day but more keep coming/hatching. I've posted a short video of them on YouTube https://youtu.be/i8SqGHIXARg Any help on what they are and how to get rid of them would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Sarah ☹

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited May 2018
    It looks like a common green lacewing, but I can't see that clearly. They change colour as they mature. They do sometimes infest houses but are a great help in the garden. Do they look like this up close?


    They may have been overwintering and just come out. If it is these, most recommendations I have seen is just do nothing, they will be gone shortly. Just a note that The RHS and many online garden stores sell lacewings as a natural garden hero and effective predator of damaging 'pests'.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't see it clearly enough either. Can you take a photo?

    If they are lacewings, you're very lucky. Beautiful, and a great addition to the garden. I've only ever seen them a couple of times here, and that was in a previous garden.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Lucky, yes, but I can see why you wouldn't them in your bed.
  • bakerboo_666bakerboo_666 Posts: 4
    I'm not sure that they look like that picture. I've taken a couple of photos to see if that helps identify them
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Are the white things casings the insects have shed?
  • bakerboo_666bakerboo_666 Posts: 4
    No, they are smaller but moving... I assumed babies?
  • paul_in_surreypaul_in_surrey Posts: 239

    “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
  • bakerboo_666bakerboo_666 Posts: 4
    Well, I think you have just proved my parents wrong Paul - I reckon the picture in that article is what I have... and to back up the theory, I have a huge sycamore tree covering most of my garden, so I guess they are falling into my garden with the constant rain of sycamore flowers. I guess I will just have to persevere with the soapy water spray. 

    Thanks for the replies all - really appreciate it.
  • paul_in_surreypaul_in_surrey Posts: 239
    Apparently I get one thing right every time there's a royal wedding.
    “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Is there any sure fire way of telling whether it's an aphid?
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