Residents in the seaside town of Llanelli, south-west Wales, are enduring a severe fly infestation that has left them feeling 'physically sick' and unable to cook or eat in their own homes. Described as a 'recurring nightmare' by locals, the problem has escalated since June, with many calling it a 'biblical' plague.
Residents Describe a 'Recurring Nightmare'
David Jones, a resident, told WalesOnline: 'It's been going on for a few weeks now this summer but the truth is this is a recurring nightmare that keeps coming back to plague us year after year. It affects every single part of daily life. 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.'
He added: 'You feel like a prisoner in your own home surrounded by sticky fly-papers just to try and keep the numbers down. We pay our council tax and rates and we shouldn't have to live like this in our own homes. It's about time a definitive source was found and sorted out once and for all.'
Health and Financial Toll on Families
Another resident, Heather Jones, reported spending heavily on eating out and fly sprays, but noted the sprays have almost no impact. 'We have had a problem for a few years. This year is the worst I've had them,' she said. 'I suffer with depression and it's getting really bad because you can't sit in the living room for flies landing on you and you can't make food because they are landing on everything so we are eating out. The cost of eating out and buying expensive fly spray that does nothing [adds up].'
Sue Rees, a third resident, expressed concern for her baby grandson, as flies constantly land on him and his bottles. 'Right now we can't cook, eat, or even sit at home without flies crawling over us, our food, and our kids. It's making people feel physically sick and many residents believe it's why so many are unwell.' She added that many have contacted the council but remain 'desperate' for a solution.
Local Businesses Affected
Publican Garry Rees-Andrews of The New Cornish Arms pub said: 'I've just bought an air conditioning unit because we can't open the doors in the kitchen because of the flies and the heat in there is incredible. It's getting to biblical proportions now, it's like a plague. We're all trying so hard. It's so frustrating.'
Council and Multi-Agency Investigation
Carmarthenshire County Council is investigating the issue 'as a priority,' with environmental health officers conducting daily visits. Cabinet member Aled Vaughan Owen stated: 'Carmarthenshire County Council continues 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.'
He emphasised this is a multi-agency issue, working with Natural Resources Wales, the regulator for permitted waste sites. '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 inquiries and site inspections continuing on a daily basis.'
As a precaution, the council has reviewed drainage and cleansing activity, but found no evidence that highway drainage systems are contributing. Residents are encouraged to report issues to 01267 234567 or publicprotection@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
