This winter a number of Matsapha Residents have noticed flies around their homes. The flies most likely bothering you this winter are cluster flies, fruit flies and house flies. With the seasons changing and temperatures cooling like many insects, flies move inside for the winter to seek out warm, moist places such as your homes. They cluster together in large groups on the sides of the walls to soak up the sun and stay warm. They may also look for cracks and gaps leading them into your home, either behind the walls or attics and basements. Common access points include cracks in windows, door trims, fans and lights or other utilities.
After Council received a number of complaints on the infestation, Inspectors were sent to inspect at the reported sites. Thorough inspections were done at the sites and surrounding areas to identify the sources of the problem. No direct source was discovered which has resulted to the inspectors asserting it to be a natural invasion, which is quite a common occurrence as temperatures change.
As a local authority responsible for public health issues in the town, Matsapha Town Council will be placing fly traps at the highly infested areas to help reduce the number of flies. Ratepayers are also encouraged to also take measures which will reduce or get rid of flies in their homes. These may include:
- Look for sources of rotting or fermenting food in your home such as garbage bin. Clear and clean it out any possible fly sources. Make sure garbage bins are lidded until refuse is collected by Council as scheduled.
- Tidiness and cleanliness are vital allies in fighting flies. Make sure you clean up any spills in and outside of your house. Remember to adequately discard of pet excrement.
- Seal off access points such as window frames or door trims and around utility lines like pipes.
- Hang sticky fly traps outside and make sure not to have them inside your house.
- Use odourless insect sprays inside your home.
The infestation is a temporary occurrence which will reduce when the temperatures get warmer. For now, Council encourages all affected homes to take the above stated merges.
