Arborfield residents invaded by flies
By Lewis RuddJune 20, 2011
Residents and business owners in Arborfield have spoken about the “constant battle” to tackle a swarm of flies which have descended over the village and are making lives a misery.
The flies began blighting the village about six weeks ago and since then both villagers and local businesses have said the problem has escalated.
Fly spray and swatters have become a necessity for many as the insects, which have been identified as the lesser house fly, continue causing problems across the village.
At The Bull Inn in Arborfield Cross, the infestation has become so irritating its management team have been forced to call in a pest control company.
Manager Bruno Bellemere told The Wokingham Times how he has spent £700 to have the pub professionally sprayed with an insect deterrent.
“It has been a nightmare,” he said.
“A few weeks ago it was really, really bad, but then the problem seemed to disappear. But last weekend, when the weather was warm, the flies reappeared again.
“It is a constant battle to keep them outside. We haven’t had to close the kitchen but we have had to call in Rentokil to spray the restaurant and windows.
“We also have a nice garden patio and people have been trying to eat outside, but it has just been a nightmare because they are having to come back inside to eat.”
Although ongoing investigations have so far failed to identify why the flies are migrating to Arborfield, environmental bosses at Wokingham Borough Council believe it could be because of rotting vegetation or the spreading of manure in nearby fields.
One resident, who asked not to be named and is using scented sticky paper to try and kill the flies, said she is disappointed more is not being done to identify the cause of the problem.
She said: “There are hundreds of them and they are everywhere. As soon as you finish bleaching the house they are once again on your worktops and all over the house. At one point it was easier to eat outside.”
Dave Woodwards, who is the departing landlord at The Swan in Eversley Road, also believes the problem escalates whenever the fields are treated with manure.
“It seems to happen when muck spreading takes place,” he said.
“When it happened the first time earlier in the year the place was infested with flies; you would kill two, look up and there would be another three.
“It calmed down but then started again a few weeks ago. We are using everything – swatters, spray and the sticking tape. Obviously it is annoying for the customers who are eating, but most of them are local and are understanding.”
Advice released by the council encourages villagers to bleach outside drains and gullies, remove or relocate any accumulation of damp leaves, mulch or compost and dispose of any animal excrement.
They are also asked to keep refuse areas and bins as clean and tidy as possible.
A statement said: “The environmental health team has been investigating renewed infestations of flies throughout the Wokingham and Arborfield area in particular.
“Ongoing investigations have so far failed to identify the primary source which, in this instance, is likely to be rotting vegetation or manure.
“The presence of numerous stables, farms, smallholdings and other agricultural activities within and beyond the borough has made the task more difficult.
“It is anticipated this problem will stop as suddenly as it began, particularly if there is a downward turn in the local temperature levels.
“In the meantime the usual range of fly traps and sprays should also help in reducing the problem.”
http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2094656_arborfield_residents_invaded_by_flies_
Capybara says:
It seems to be a large case of cluster flies and no doubt they have infested a few properites in the village. Cluster flies are a constant problem and no doubt they'll return (usually twice a year). We haven't heard of a fly repellent spray for us on the exterior of the building and we can't imagine one working too effectively.
If they are cluster flies, £700 for a treatment seems excessive. Usually with cluster flies a smoke bombing or fogging device should be used and possibly a residual insecticidal spray.
On domestic properties the costs should range between £70-150, on commercial properties it's dependant upon size.
Learn more about cluster flies at www.capy.co.uk
The flies began blighting the village about six weeks ago and since then both villagers and local businesses have said the problem has escalated.
Fly spray and swatters have become a necessity for many as the insects, which have been identified as the lesser house fly, continue causing problems across the village.
At The Bull Inn in Arborfield Cross, the infestation has become so irritating its management team have been forced to call in a pest control company.
Manager Bruno Bellemere told The Wokingham Times how he has spent £700 to have the pub professionally sprayed with an insect deterrent.
“It has been a nightmare,” he said.
“A few weeks ago it was really, really bad, but then the problem seemed to disappear. But last weekend, when the weather was warm, the flies reappeared again.
“It is a constant battle to keep them outside. We haven’t had to close the kitchen but we have had to call in Rentokil to spray the restaurant and windows.
“We also have a nice garden patio and people have been trying to eat outside, but it has just been a nightmare because they are having to come back inside to eat.”
Although ongoing investigations have so far failed to identify why the flies are migrating to Arborfield, environmental bosses at Wokingham Borough Council believe it could be because of rotting vegetation or the spreading of manure in nearby fields.
One resident, who asked not to be named and is using scented sticky paper to try and kill the flies, said she is disappointed more is not being done to identify the cause of the problem.
She said: “There are hundreds of them and they are everywhere. As soon as you finish bleaching the house they are once again on your worktops and all over the house. At one point it was easier to eat outside.”
Dave Woodwards, who is the departing landlord at The Swan in Eversley Road, also believes the problem escalates whenever the fields are treated with manure.
“It seems to happen when muck spreading takes place,” he said.
“When it happened the first time earlier in the year the place was infested with flies; you would kill two, look up and there would be another three.
“It calmed down but then started again a few weeks ago. We are using everything – swatters, spray and the sticking tape. Obviously it is annoying for the customers who are eating, but most of them are local and are understanding.”
Advice released by the council encourages villagers to bleach outside drains and gullies, remove or relocate any accumulation of damp leaves, mulch or compost and dispose of any animal excrement.
They are also asked to keep refuse areas and bins as clean and tidy as possible.
A statement said: “The environmental health team has been investigating renewed infestations of flies throughout the Wokingham and Arborfield area in particular.
“Ongoing investigations have so far failed to identify the primary source which, in this instance, is likely to be rotting vegetation or manure.
“The presence of numerous stables, farms, smallholdings and other agricultural activities within and beyond the borough has made the task more difficult.
“It is anticipated this problem will stop as suddenly as it began, particularly if there is a downward turn in the local temperature levels.
“In the meantime the usual range of fly traps and sprays should also help in reducing the problem.”
http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2094656_arborfield_residents_invaded_by_flies_
Capybara says:
It seems to be a large case of cluster flies and no doubt they have infested a few properites in the village. Cluster flies are a constant problem and no doubt they'll return (usually twice a year). We haven't heard of a fly repellent spray for us on the exterior of the building and we can't imagine one working too effectively.
If they are cluster flies, £700 for a treatment seems excessive. Usually with cluster flies a smoke bombing or fogging device should be used and possibly a residual insecticidal spray.
On domestic properties the costs should range between £70-150, on commercial properties it's dependant upon size.
Learn more about cluster flies at www.capy.co.uk
