Residents of Sileby, Leicestershire, have described a 'biblical' plague of flies that has made daily life unbearable, forcing them to keep windows shut and food covered for over a month. The infestation, which locals say is the worst in six years, has prompted investigations by Charnwood Borough Council and the Environment Agency, who suspect a nearby poultry farm as the likely source.
Residents Describe 'Intolerable' Conditions
Local resident Lynn Hill told the BBC: 'I've got around 20 in the room at the moment. It's awful. Every minute I'm in my living room, I can't put food out or anything like that. It is horrendous. They're landing on me. It's been going on now for a whole month, how they get in or whatever, I don't know. It's the sheer volume of flies, it's intolerable, it really is.'
Another resident, Colin Readwin, initially believed building works near his home were to blame, but soon discovered neighbours across the village were facing the same problem. 'We're having building works done and there's been exposure of clay and we put it down to that, but hearing everybody else in the village had the fly infestation, we don't think it is,' he said. 'We've had candles going, we've had fly spray, we've been flicking them with dusters and they're buzzing around your head. It's awful.'
Council Investigation Points to Poultry Farm
Charnwood Borough Council has identified Sunrise Poultry Farms as the 'likely source' of the flies. Officers have conducted inspections and found that the farm already had mitigation measures in place, but further controls have been added following the clearing of a shed, which is likely to have increased fly activity. A council spokesperson said: 'Officers have visited the farm, and the operators already have mitigation measures in place and further controls have been added following the clearing of a shed, which is likely to have increased fly activity. The measures include further insecticidal treatment and reviewing the management of waste.'
The authority is working with the Environment Agency to monitor the situation and hopes the additional controls will reduce the number of flies. An Environment Agency spokesperson added: 'Our officers are investigating these issues and working alongside the council to resolve. If residents have environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline.'
Historical Problem Worsens
Residents say fly problems have affected the village in previous years, but claim this summer's infestation is by far the worst they have experienced. Mr Readwin noted it was the worst infestation the village had seen in six years. For now, many residents say they remain trapped indoors, with windows shut despite the warm weather, as they wait for the swarms to disappear.
