Llanelli, a seaside town in South Wales, is experiencing a severe infestation of flies, which residents describe as a "biblical plague." The swarms have become so overwhelming that locals report difficulty in cooking and dining without insects landing in their food. Patrons at local establishments have resorted to covering their drinks with beer mats to prevent flies from falling in.
This year's fly problem is reportedly the worst in a decade, intensifying during a recent heatwave that saw Wales record its hottest June day. Residents attribute the persistent infestation to a nearby recycling center, a concern they have raised for the past ten years. Efforts to combat the flies, including setting up fly traps and using electric zappers, have proven largely ineffective, with some shops reporting that fly repellent is sold out.
Paige Richards, manager of the Seaside Sports and Social Club, described the flies as "invasive" and noted that installed fans, intended to deter insects, only cause them to hover beneath tables. "People come here to get away from the flies in their houses but they're everywhere. It's a nuisance and a health hazard," Richards said.
Carl Phillips, a local plasterer, characterized the situation as a "plague of biblical proportions," stating that for every fly killed, more appear. He added that the insects land on people at night, disrupting sleep. Another resident, retired steelworker John Thomas, jokingly noted that his son's extensive use of fly papers makes them resemble "curtains." His wife, Ann Thomas, expressed frustration over the inability to prepare food without flies constantly landing on it, reporting that her grandchildren have refused to visit for meals.
Gill Phillips, a resident who has lived with the infestation for ten years, has fitted nets to her windows and doors. While they offer some relief, she stated that flies still manage to enter her home. She has also purchased an electric zapper and fly papers, but found that even these measures do not prevent flies from landing on food in the kitchen. Phillips observed that the flies tend to stay close to the ground, avoiding higher areas like her bedroom.
Carmarthenshire County Council is investigating the residents' concerns as a priority. Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, the council's Cabinet Minister with responsibility for public health, stated that Environmental Health and Public Protection officers have conducted numerous inspections of affected areas and potential source locations. The council is collaborating with Natural Resources Wales, the regulator for permitted waste sites, to identify contributing factors and ensure appropriate control measures are implemented. The council has also reviewed drainage and cleansing activities in the area, though current evidence does not suggest highway drainage systems are a contributing factor to the infestation. Investigations are ongoing, with a focus on evidence-based conclusions and daily site inspections.
