A SWARM of flies has plagued a coastal beauty spot and residents claim it’s only getting worse.
The pests have been attacking the seaside town for more than 10 years leaving locals unable to eat, sleep or even open windows.
The residents believe a nearby recycling plant is the source of the flies Credit: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency
The problem has got so bad that fly spray has run out in stores Credit: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency
Residents of Llanelli, Wales, believe a nearby metal recycling centre is the source of the fly problem, which they say have “invaded” their lives.
Those living in the coastal town claim they are unable to cook and eat without a swarm of the flying insects, and many are forced to keep windows shut despite the hot weather.
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The issue, first reported in 2018, has only worsened over time, yet Natural Resources Wales said it doesn’t believe the AMG Resources plant is “currently contributing to the reported increase in flies”.
The extent of the problem has even led shops surrounding the affected areas to run out of fly spray, with residents resorting to netted windows, electric zappers, and fly papers.
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Fly swatters hang in the Seaside Sports and Social Club in LLanelli to try fight off the swarms Credit: Huw Evans
Residents claim it is hard to eat, sleep and cook as a result of the infestation Credit: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency
One resident, Carl Phillips, said: “It’s a plague of biblical proportions. If you kill 100, another 100 will come back.
“At night you’re in bed trying to get to sleep and they’re landing on your head.”
Retired steelworker John Thomas joked that his son had hung so many fly papers that they look ‘like curtains’.
‘They call him the fly assassin but they keep coming back,’ he said.
Mr Thomas’ wife Ann, 72, said: ‘You can’t prepare food without them landing on it all the time. It’s disgusting.
‘My family came for a meal but there were flies landing on their food. They said they’re not coming back until we get rid of the flies.’
Resident David Jones said this isn’t the first year the area has seen the problem.
He told WalesOnline: “You can’t open the windows or doors to let a breeze in, even when it’s boiling hot, because they just swarm in.
“You can’t leave food out for a second and you’re constantly fighting them off.
Beyond being a nuisance, Llanelli locals also believe the number of pests is a “health hazard” and are frustrated by the lack of action from the council.
Others have also suggested the source of the flies could be the area’s drains, which they believe have not been cleaned as regularly as they used to be.
In response, Aled Vaughan Owen, Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet minister, said: “We are continuing to investigate the concerns raised by residents and businesses in parts of Llanelli regarding increased fly activity as a priority.
“Environmental Health and Public Protection officers have carried out repeated visits throughout the affected area this week, including inspections of potential source locations, monitoring activity, engagement with local communities, and direct support for affected sites.
“This is a multi-agency issue and we are working closely with Natural Resources Wales, which is the regulator for permitted waste sites in the area, and other relevant partners to investigate all potential contributing factors and ensure that appropriate control measures are in place.
“Investigations remain ongoing and it is important that any conclusions are evidence-based. However, residents can be reassured that significant officer time and resources are being devoted to this issue, with enquiries and site inspections continuing on a daily basis.’
“As a precautionary measure, the County Council has reviewed drainage and cleansing activity as well as inspecting drainage assets in the area.
“However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that highway drainage systems are contributing to the infestation.
“We will continue to review the situation carefully and work with partner organisations to take any appropriate action to protect residents and minimise nuisance.”
