As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, Sydney's skies are abuzz with more than just the sounds of summer.

A 'fly-pocalypse' has descended upon the city, leaving residents swatting and swiping at the air in frustration.

This isn't your average seasonal annoyance; experts are calling it a 'bad' Sydney problem that's driving Aussies 'crazy', and it shows no signs of abating anytime soon.



If you've stepped outside recently, you've likely encountered the onslaught of flies that have taken over Sydney's outdoor spaces.

Social media is rife with videos and images of the insects coating clothing and bombarding beachgoers, turning leisurely strolls into battles against the buzzing hordes.


The cause of this insect invasion? A perfect storm of weather conditions. According to Julian Bracewell from Pest2Kill, a Sydney-based pest control company, the mild winter and warm spring temperatures have created an ideal breeding ground for flies.

'It's been pretty bad for a few months and will likely continue until autumn or winter next year,' Bracewell explained.

‘You always see an increase in moths, butterflies, flies, and mosquitoes around springtime because it’s hot and humid, and it’s when plants and organic life flourish.’

The early onset of El Niño and a hotter-than-ever August have exacerbated the situation, leading to a significant increase in fly-related call-outs for pest control services.



Entomologist Dr Dan Bickel, a Senior Fellow in the Australian Museum's Entomology department, added another explanation.

He pointed out that 'warm winds from the interior [of the country], beyond the Dividing ranges,' are responsible for bringing in the flies, which can reproduce in great numbers in those conditions.

‘This sudden influx of flies is common with the first hot winds blowing after winter,’ he said.

One Sydney local, @jaassy17, captured the extent of the issue in her video online that quickly went viral, amassing over 600,000 views.

‘Flies take over Sydney this morning,’ she captioned her video.



‘I thought I was crazy,' one person commented, while another asked, 'Is it just me, or has it never been this bad with flies?'

‘It was TERRIBLE today,’ another wrote, while another said they ‘got harassed by 50 that tried to get in my eyes and ears’.

‘I can tolerate anything except a pestering fly. They drive me crazy,’ one admitted.

The conversation has spilled over to online forums, where residents share their dismay and seek solidarity in their fly-fighting efforts.

‘Mate, they’re hectic at the moment,’ one user said.

‘I am a recent expat from the UK, and I did NOT expect the flies. Now I understand the stereotypical Aussie hat with the corks,’ another replied.



Bracewell warned that more flies would be expected inside homes, ‘around their gardens, food, and bins’.

He urged residents to maintain high levels of hygiene and cleanliness, especially around food and bins.

‘It’s important to check if there are any food scraps lying around and make sure you’re regularly disposing of any garbage and double-bagging your bins,’ he advised.

‘You can also use physical screens on your windows or doors, implement various fly systems, get rid of mulch or any leaves building up, or if the situation gets really bad, book a pest control company.’

Dr Bickel, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed approach, suggesting that while flies are a nuisance, they aren't a significant problem.

‘Well, I could just say “chill”. They are not a real problem otherwise, stay indoors,’ he joked.

‘If you are outdoors, just give the “Australian salute”!’

You can watch @jaassy17’s video below:

Have you found an effective way to keep them at bay? Or perhaps you've embraced the Aussie spirit and learned to coexist with these airborne annoyances? Share them with us in the comments below!