A number of Sydneysiders have taken to social media in recent days to express outrage over the increase in flies, which have “attacked” those at the beach or out for walks as the weather warms up.
And according to one expert, they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
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“We’re probably going to see more flies this year than in the past couple of years,” Keith Bayless, an entomologist and research scientist at the Australian National Insect Collection at the CSIRO told news.com.au.
Mr Bayless said El Nino and the early increase in the temperature has contributed to the rise.
“Flies are cold blooded insects. If it’s warmer out, they will develop more quickly … Since it’s been a hot spring so far, the development of a lot of these insects went faster. So things that would emerge in early summer are instead out now in September and October.”
While Mr Bayless said the number of flies could drop off if the weather gets cold and rainy, he expects we’ll be seeing more flies around until autumn.
Aussies are also warned to expect more flies inside their homes as the heat continues.
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“Some flies might have been able to find enough food sources in the bush, but if it’s quite dry and there’s not enough for them to eat, they might be more likely to come into people’s houses or gardens,” Mr Bayless said.
“And if it’s another summer with bushfires, then other insects escaping the fires might also be noticed by people in their houses.”
With around 30,000 species of flies in Australia, Mr Bayless said it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which flies are out bothering people, but suggests the culprits are likely march flies, which are larger and bite, or bush flies, whose populations will increase around the country throughout summer.
Those living in residential areas close to bush or farmlands can also expect to see more flies as we head into warmer months.
“Often the flies can reproduce with the livestock and then fly over into the residential areas,” he explained.
Beachgoers beware
One common spot people have been “attacked” by flies is by the beach, with TikTok videos showing fed-up beachgoers swatting away hoards of flies as they relax on the sand or walk nearby.
“There’s a lot of flies that live at the beach,” Mr Bayless said. “If they’re biting, they might be things like sandflies or March flies. But if they’re not, they could general bush flies or house flies, which will often land on people to get their sweat, they want some water and salts.
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“Again, I would attribute to the hotter, drier weather … So we’ll probably see more flies at the beach this spring and summer than in the past couple years.”
Mr Bayless said those doing outdoor physical activity are also be likely to be targeted by biting flies or mosquitoes.
“They have good vision, and they have a very good sense of smell, so they can smell both the carbon dioxide that would exudates in our sweat or other components of breath.”
How to avoid flies
Mr Bayless recommends using insect repellent, particularly for mosquitoes, where there is a “potential for diseases to be transmitted”.
“If you have a garden, make sure there’s no standing water for the larvae of mozzies, don’t leave compost unattended or rotting and close your windows.”
While he admits flies are a “nuisance”, he encourages not to let them stop you from enjoying the warmer weather.
“It’s a warmer spring and summer so get out and look at the wildflowers and other insects even if the flies are a bit of a nuisance.”
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
