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Hello,

Let me start by apologising as I'm sure this forum and yourselves have better things to do. But I have been inundated with flies outside my house for the past four weeks.

I have only moved into the house six months ago, and about mid April suddenly appeared about 100 to 200 flies outside, in my garden mostly around the end of my conservatory and a circular paved area. Both of these are very hot areas.

I have searched on the Internet and I believe I know what these flies are, but I would like it confirming, are they "Cluster flies" ?

The flies are about 7 mm long and either sworm upwards in the air or collided with my head if I go near them.

Also they seem to really like a paved area in full sunshine where they all sit about 50 or 60 at a time.

I have tried to find as much information on the Internet as possible. But they only mention how they survive during the winter and not their habits in the spring, summer.

Now I must admit they are driving me mad as I can't use my garden if it's sunny, if its dull or cool they are not around. They do seem to swarm in zig zags or circles and do not fly away like normal flies.

I am asking for your help on how to discourage these from staying in my garden, what is it about my garden they like?

Every day that I see them, are these new flies or ones from the previous day, (i.e. they are hatching out and form a swarm or forming the swarm to mate?)

Are these going to be here for all spring and summer?

Are there any plants or things I can do to dissuade them from being around my garden? As they seem to have no natural predators!

I have attached a picture of one of them.

If there's any more information you require please let me know.

May I thank you for taking the time and trouble to read this and help.

Regards

Gary

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Gary,
you forgot to say where your home is, it is damn important, isn't it!
Do you have more images?
Fly on photo seems female (swarning is usually a male job), so, are you sure that fly on photo is from swarm you wrote about?
Fly on photo seems Anthomyiidae.

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Hi Nikita.

I live in England near Cambridge.

I have attached another pic, these were sitting on the outside window sill of the conservatory.

Thanks

Regards

Gary

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Hi seems that picture didnt get attached i will try again!

Regards

Gary

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Hi,

I have one another picture, these look diffferent and were on the washing line but not flying. I saw a drop of "water" come out of the base of this fly.

Thanks for your help

Gary

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Ok, Gary, this time males on picture.
Well, family Anthomyiidae is confirmed, my guess is
Delia platura.
To be sure, we need a little bit larger image, better from behind.
Don't be angry on these flies - harmless for you (though, sometime harmful for plants), let they swarm, love is important thing!

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3-d picture - a gnat of Bibionidae family, Dilophus sp., I think (not my group).
Probably Dilophus swarming and Delia platura just take sun bath, thye love so much (though Delia swarm too, but les visible)

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Hi,

I will take some better pictures when i can, but here in the UK its going to rain for next few days!

I will post when i have some more.

Regards

Gary

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"but here in the UK its going to rain for next few days!"

How unusual :p

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Not a cloud in the sky up here :) , been like it all week.

Regards from sunny Shetland
Roger