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Big flies all over my garden!

TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
in Problem solving
Hi all.  I'm confused (doesn't take much). 

This year (5th summer in this house) I'm overrun with flies in the garden.  Not little green or black flies but big bluebottle type flies; the kind that sometimes end up in the house and drive you mad buzzing all over the place really quickly and noisily. 

Any idea what has driven them into my spot?  They "sleep" on my ivy; wisteria; daisies; lavender etc at night and then dive-bomb me during the day.  I have seen a few caught by some little white-bodied spiders hiding in the plants; they then get wrapped up in a web whilst still alive.  It's grim but at least I feel the spiders are helping a little.  

I'm just very confused as to why they are here en masse. Have I done something to attract them this year?  

Any ideas....? :)
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Posts

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I feel that there are more than usual too jamessayersbrown and put it down to the hot period at Easter just when I put some manure on the veg patch.  Since they breed better than rabbits I'm assuming they are very overpopulated  :D 
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    herbaceous said:
    I feel that there are more than usual too jamessayersbrown and put it down to the hot period at Easter just when I put some manure on the veg patch.  Since they breed better than rabbits I'm assuming they are very overpopulated  :D 
    I'd rather be overrun with bees or butterflies :smiley:  I may start to help out the spiders with reducing the population..... 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited July 2020
    Flies are essential to us,  they eat all the muck, road kill,  my OH complains now that there are not enough flies, cattle are treated, hedgerows and fields sprayed.
    Actually the flies don’t but their maggots do. 😀
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Just in case it might apply, this sometimes happens if slug pellets have been used and the flies lay eggs on the dead slugs.  Similarly, poisoned rodents dying in their nests can be a source, as can pet poo in neighbouring gardens.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Essential for getting rid of dead stuff.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I know another source - a dead bird in your chimney. We recently had a five day infestation in the sitting room and conservatory.
    Rutland, England
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    BobTheGardener said:
    Just in case it might apply, this sometimes happens if slug pellets have been used and the flies lay eggs on the dead slugs.  Similarly, poisoned rodents dying in their nests can be a source, as can pet poo in neighbouring gardens.
    Thanks Bob. You may have hit the nail...... I used organic slug pellets in spring and I've never used them before. I barely have any slugs now so I'm guessing they worked. This is my payback. Thanks, buddy. 
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Well, it looks lovely, annoying flies notwithstanding!
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Pianoplayer said:
    Well, it looks lovely, annoying flies notwithstanding!
    Thank you :smile:
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