Residents battle fly infestation

People are complaining their neighbourhood has once again been infested with flies amid the latest heatwave.

On West Heath Close in Congleton, Cheshire, there are 29 homes, and families there are trying a variety of methods to keep the buzzing at bay.

For some, the insects are getting far too close for comfort, with resident Natasha Forster complaining: "They land on you all the time. They are buzzing in your ears, on your face, landing on your face, it's horrible."

Cheshire East Council told the BBC it was an Environment Agency matter. The organisation has been contacted for comment.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for the "relentless invasion" to be addressed.

The petition also calls for investigation into a local recycling company as well as nearby sewage treatment works, rivers and any unmanaged land.

A spokesperson for Tandom Metallurgical Group said they were aware of concerns raised about increased fly activity in the area.

"At this stage, the source of the increased fly activity has not been established," they said.

"A number of potential factors can contribute to seasonal increases in fly populations, and we are working constructively with the Environment Agency, Cheshire East Council and our independent pest control specialists as enquiries continue."

They added that while there was no evidence the flies were breeding on their site, they were taking the matter seriously and had implemented precautionary pest control measures.

A mix of sprays, fly traps, sticky tape, catching bags and fitted screens are being used in a bid to get some peace - and residents say it is not the first time they have been frustrated by swarms.

They said it had happened every year since 2021 between the months of June and September, and has got worse year on year.

The common house fly is able to transmit a range of health complaints that can result in diarrhoea and sickness as well as more minor issues.

Resident Janet Knowles said: "I've got a little granddaughter and the flies are all round her face. They are all over the food and you can't sit outside."

Another resident Bryan Stahl said: "We can't set up a barbecue.

"You feel like you're eating in a prison, it's horrible.

"You feel everything is covered in flies, it's not comfortable."

He uses a bottle to trap flies. "I am pretty much sure 100 or 200 in a bottle in a week isn't normal," he said of the volume of visitors.

Mother-of-two Sophie Heywood said: "I can't keep my children cool and open the windows, as you just get infested with flies."

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