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Flies on and around Laurel bush

jabilyukjabilyuk Posts: 9
in The potting shed
Having just moved into a new house, I was surprised at how many flies there were in and around two areas of Laurel bushes.  Why would this be? (there isn't an open compost bin nearby) How can I get rid of them?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What kind of flies?
    If they're the bog standard type, there could be something dead nearby, or cat cr*p under/behind the laurel. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jabilyukjabilyuk Posts: 9
    They appear to be bog standard flies.  There’s nothing dead nearby and no cat poo. It’s weird because there’s a laurel bush at the front of the house and a bush in the back garden and both are swarming with flies.  I’ve never seen this before and haven’t come up with an answer after googling it
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is it flowering just now?
    Some flowers attract certain insects.

    Mine are only in bud just now, so I can't say if there's any unusual activity. Our weather isn't very conducive to any flying insects at the moment either.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jabilyukjabilyuk Posts: 9
    Oh no they don’t look like that. Are they flying ants?
     I’ll take a picture in the morning. 
    Actually I’m going to spray them with diluted washing up liquid tomorrow too to see if that gets rid. The thing is every time I open the front door some fly in and then I have to fly swat them to get rid.  :(
  • jabilyukjabilyuk Posts: 9
    Fairy girl, no they’re not in flower at all. The sun has been shining for the past 3 days however they were there long before the sun arrived!
  • jabilyukjabilyuk Posts: 9
    I will take the photo first thing. Thank you so much for responding too I meant to say that before to you and fairy girl for taking the time and trouble to help my dilemma x
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No probs @jabilyuk.
    Hopefully a pic will help us to offer some further advice.  :)
    I can't think of any reason why you would have loads of flies though. Laurels don't attract a lot of pests or diseases other than shot hole. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jabilyukjabilyuk Posts: 9
    There was a frost overnight and there are few less at the moment but the sun has warmed up the bushes. Here are couple photos
  • jabilyukjabilyuk Posts: 9

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - bog standard flies. I can't see any reason why you would have a large amount of them, unless you've got a body buried there  ;)
    The laurel looks a bit rough though. Probably just some weather damage mainly, although it looks a bit yellow, but that might be the sun on the foliage. At a later date, you can apply a liquid feed of seaweed if you have it, or something similar, but they're pretty tough, and don't usually need anything other than water. 
    You could prune it back a bit, and give it a little general feed round the base, a water and a mulch with compost or similar. That will set if fair for a while, especially if the ground is a bit poor. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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