You know summer's nearly here when the great Australian fly migration begins. One minute you're enjoying a peaceful morning walk, the next you're performing the national gesture we've all mastered—the Aussie salute.
That distinctive wave-and-swat motion that's as Australian as meat pies and complaints about the weather has returned with a vengeance this spring, as anyone who's ventured outdoors recently can attest.
A viral video captured the struggle perfectly, showing early morning walkers along Bondi's coastal path battling determined swarms of flies.
People were seen using everything from caps to jumpers as makeshift shields, with one particularly resourceful woman wielding a twig like a tiny sword against her buzzing adversaries.
If you've noticed the flies seem particularly persistent this year, you're not imagining things. There are solid scientific reasons why 2025's fly season is shaping up to be a memorable one.
Why this year's fly invasion feels worse
Bush flies, Australia's most iconic species, are essentially flying water seekers who 'slake their thirst on the sweat and tears of mammals' and linger around our faces searching for moisture. These determined little creatures can travel up to 300 kilometres in a single day when blown by strong winds, and can fly up to five kilometres under their own power.
'Flies seek out humans who act as mobile water drinking fountains for them'
According to Associate Professor Theo Evans from the University of Western Australia, strong easterly winds have been a major factor this year, blowing flies from the hotter, drier eastern parts of Australia into western regions. Meanwhile, the increased temperatures during spring and summer naturally lead to increased insect activity, as these cold-blooded creatures become more active with rising environmental temperatures.
Julian Bracewell from Sydney-based pest control company Pest2Kill notes that temperatures soared to 30 degrees over the weekend, which may have exacerbated their abundance, while climate change continues to create longer, warmer seasons that favour fly reproduction.
Meet your flying opponents
Australia's main fly troublemakers
Bush flies (Musca vetustissima): The classic Aussie fly responsible for the 'Aussie salute.' Found nationwide, they're attracted to moisture from sweat and tears
House flies: Common around homes, attracted to food scraps and garbage
Fruit flies: Target ripening fruit and vegetables, numbers peak in warm weather
Blow flies (bluebottles): Larger, metallic blue flies often seen around bins
Bush flies are found country-wide and are so persistent they're credited with inspiring the famous 'Aussie salute.' These small explorers are otherwise harmless and pose no serious threat to health or home beyond being a mild nuisance.
The timing of their arrival varies by region. In southwestern Western Australia, winters are too cold and wet for bush flies to survive, so they die out over winter, with immigrant flies blown into the region each spring once the weather warms and dries.
The regional fly experience
Your fly experience depends largely on where you call home. Western Australia's sandy, quartz-crystal soil makes it particularly easy for flies to breed, leading to the infamous 'West Australian Salute' as people constantly wave flies away.
Weather patterns significantly affect fly populations—when November is cool and wet, it slows down fly reproduction, but when December brings warm, dry conditions with little rain, it creates perfect breeding conditions.
There is good news in this story
Before you despair about spending summer constantly swatting, here's some perspective that might surprise you. Fly numbers are actually much better now than they were 30 years ago, thanks to the introduction of dung beetles by CSIRO, which bury dung and help decrease fly populations.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Australia's dung beetle program has been one of the most successful biological control projects in the country's history. These industrious insects bury animal dung that would otherwise provide perfect breeding grounds for flies, significantly reducing fly populations compared to previous decades.
Despite our daily battles with a few troublesome species, flies are among the most diverse animals on the planet and are utterly crucial for healthy ecosystem function, with many species serving as important pollinators supporting agricultural production.
Your defence strategy
The key to managing flies is prevention rather than elimination. The primary goal should be to deter rather than kill them, using simple remedies like topical repellents containing DEET or Picaridin, wearing loose-fitting clothing outdoors, installing and maintaining fly screens, keeping food covered, and minimising standing water.
Essential fly prevention for your home
- Keep food covered at all times, especially when eating outdoors
- Empty bins regularly and use tight-fitting lids
- Install and maintain fly screens on doors and windows
- Remove standing water from pot plant saucers and water features
- Clean up pet food and water bowls promptly
- Check garden areas for decomposing organic matter
For your garden and outdoor areas, experts recommend checking for food scraps lying around, regularly disposing of garbage and double-bagging bins, using physical screens on windows or doors, and getting rid of mulch or leaves building up.
When chemicals become necessary
If flies become overwhelming, avoid broad-spectrum bug bombs and sprays that harm beneficial insects. If chemical intervention is necessary, choose selective sprays rather than pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. Similarly, noise-emitting, electrified or smelly gadgets promising fly-free existence are best avoided as most are either ineffective or harm more than their intended targets.
Health considerations for active seniors
While bush flies pose no serious health threat beyond being a nuisance, it's worth being mindful that some fly species can carry bacteria. Mosquitoes, which are technically flies, remain a more serious concern as they can transmit diseases including Ross River Virus, chikungunya, zika and dengue.
For seniors spending time outdoors, using appropriate repellents and covering exposed skin during peak fly times (usually mid-morning to late afternoon on warm, still days) can make outdoor activities much more enjoyable.
Looking ahead
Climate change means 'the world is getting warmer, so the issue shows no sign of slowing down,' according to pest control experts, suggesting that fly seasons may become longer and more intense in coming years.
However, as entomologists suggest, the warm weather also presents an opportunity to appreciate these remarkable insects and consider both their diversity and the vital roles they fill in our ecosystems. The natural world—us included—would not be the same without them.
As for dealing with them outdoors, perhaps the best advice comes from the experts: embrace the Aussie spirit, perfect your salute technique, and remember that this too shall pass. After all, we've been sharing this continent with flies for thousands of years—and we're still here to tell the tale.
What's your tried-and-true method for dealing with Australia's fly season? Have you noticed them being particularly persistent this year? Share your fly-fighting wisdom in the comments below—your fellow Aussies would love to hear your strategies.
Original Article
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/r...e49795ea3ca645229705fa8861ed46?from=rss-basic
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: They slake their thirst on the sweat and tears of mammals and so linger around our heads, shoulders and faces in search of a refreshing drink.
Excerpt: Bush flies, Australia's most iconic species, are essentially flying water seekers who 'slake their thirst on the sweat and tears of mammals' and linger around our faces searching for moisture.
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Why flies are particularly annoying this summer
Cited text: They can be blown by the wind up to 300 kilometres in a day and they can fly under their own power up to five kilometres a day,” Associate Professor E...
Excerpt: These determined little creatures can travel up to 300 kilometres in a single day when blown by strong winds, and can fly up to five kilometres under their own power.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2021/january/why-flies-are-particularly-annoying-this-summer
Why flies are particularly annoying this summer
Cited text: The University of Western Australia Associate Professor Theo Evans, from the School of Biological Sciences, said a major reason for the increase in fl...
Excerpt: According to Associate Professor Theo Evans from the University of Western Australia, strong easterly winds have been a major factor this year, blowing flies from the hotter, drier eastern parts of Australia into western regions.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2021/january/why-flies-are-particularly-annoying-this-summer
Why flies are particularly annoying this summer
Cited text: “So with these really strong easterlies we have been having the last week or two, a lot of flies in the hotter, drier, eastern parts of Western Austra...
Excerpt: According to Associate Professor Theo Evans from the University of Western Australia, strong easterly winds have been a major factor this year, blowing flies from the hotter, drier eastern parts of Australia into western regions.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2021/january/why-flies-are-particularly-annoying-this-summer
Common Spring and Summer Pests You Find in Australia
Cited text: With temperatures increasing during spring and summer, an increased bug activity is to be expected. It is for this reason that swarming pests may seem...
Excerpt: the increased temperatures during spring and summer naturally lead to increased insect activity, as these cold-blooded creatures become more active with rising environmental temperatures.
https://www.pestpolice.com.au/pests-youll-have-to-watch-out-for-as-spring-and-summer-comes/
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: Bush flies (Musca vetustissima) are the iconic Australian fly, and are found country-wide.
Excerpt: Bush flies are found country-wide and are so persistent they're credited with inspiring the famous 'Aussie salute.'
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: They’re so persistent that they’re credited with inspiring the “Aussie salute”.
Excerpt: Bush flies are found country-wide and are so persistent they're credited with inspiring the famous 'Aussie salute.'
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: These small explorers are otherwise harmless, and pose no serious threat to health or home beyond being a mild nuisance.
Excerpt: These small explorers are otherwise harmless and pose no serious threat to health or home beyond being a mild nuisance.
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Why flies are particularly annoying this summer
Cited text: “In the south west of WA, the winters are too cold, wet and harsh for bush flies to survive so they die out over winter, with immigrant flies blown in...
Excerpt: In southwestern Western Australia, winters are too cold and wet for bush flies to survive, so they die out over winter, with immigrant flies blown into the region each spring once the weather warms and dries.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2021/january/why-flies-are-particularly-annoying-this-summer
Why is Western Australia filled with flies in the summer? I remembered eastern Australia wasn’t so bad. - Quora
Cited text: Answer (1 of 7): Western Australia has very sandy soil in the South West.
Excerpt: Western Australia's sandy, quartz-crystal soil makes it particularly easy for flies to breed, leading to the infamous 'West Australian Salute' as people constantly wave flies away.
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Wester...-I-remembered-eastern-Australia-wasn-t-so-bad
Why is Western Australia filled with flies in the summer? I remembered eastern Australia wasn’t so bad. - Quora
Cited text: Flies breed in it easily. We have what’s called “The West Australian Salute”, as people start waving to swat the flies away.
Excerpt: Western Australia's sandy, quartz-crystal soil makes it particularly easy for flies to breed, leading to the infamous 'West Australian Salute' as people constantly wave flies away.
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Wester...-I-remembered-eastern-Australia-wasn-t-so-bad
Why flies are particularly annoying this summer
Cited text: “This year, November was exceptionally cool and wet, and what that did was slow down reproduction of the flies. Then December was nice and warm, with ...
Excerpt: Weather patterns significantly affect fly populations—when November is cool and wet, it slows down fly reproduction, but when December brings warm, dry conditions with little rain, it creates perfect breeding conditions.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2021/january/why-flies-are-particularly-annoying-this-summer
Why flies are particularly annoying this summer
Cited text: Then December was nice and warm, with almost no rain, so conditions have been perfect for fly breeding.” · Associate Professor Evans said although fli...
Excerpt: Fly numbers are actually much better now than they were 30 years ago, thanks to the introduction of dung beetles by CSIRO, which bury dung and help decrease fly populations.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2021/january/why-flies-are-particularly-annoying-this-summer
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: Flies are among the most diverse animals on the planet, and are utterly crucial for the healthy function of our ecosystems. Many, like hover flies, ar...
Excerpt: Despite our daily battles with a few troublesome species, flies are among the most diverse animals on the planet and are utterly crucial for healthy ecosystem function, with many species serving as important pollinators supporting…
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: For the minority of flies that prove a recurring annoyance, the primary goal is to deter rather than kill them. In this case, the remedies are simple:...
Excerpt: The primary goal should be to deter rather than kill them, using simple remedies like topical repellents containing DEET or Picaridin, wearing loose-fitting clothing outdoors, installing and maintaining fly screens, keeping food covered,…
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: Avoid reaching for the bug-bombs and sprays, which have devastating impacts on beneficial insects. If a chemical last resort is required, choose selec...
Excerpt: If flies become overwhelming, avoid broad-spectrum bug bombs and sprays that harm beneficial insects.
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: Finally, and famously, are mosquitoes.
Excerpt: Mosquitoes, which are technically flies, remain a more serious concern as they can transmit diseases including Ross River Virus, chikungunya, zika and dengue.
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: More serious is their role as vectors for diseases that have helped to topple empires, and which remain a significant health burden, especially in the...
Excerpt: Mosquitoes, which are technically flies, remain a more serious concern as they can transmit diseases including Ross River Virus, chikungunya, zika and dengue.
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Fly season: what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away
Cited text: As the warm weather rolls around, then, take the opportunity to look a little closer at our nimble neighbours, and consider both their staggering dive...
Excerpt: entomologists suggest, the warm weather also presents an opportunity to appreciate these remarkable insects and consider both their diversity and the vital roles they fill in our ecosystems.
https://theconversation.com/fly-sea...common-flies-and-how-to-keep-them-away-215335
Seniors Discount Club
Latest Articles
-
Supermarkets are bringing unexpected food items to the shelves. What's driving this food trend forward?
- Started by Danielle F.
- Replies: 0
-
Smart and subtle: A new addition to your favourite messaging app could make chatting feel safer
- Started by Danielle F.
- Replies: 0
-
When ‘saving a spot’ goes too far: Driver accused of ‘super rude’ act at local shopping centre
- Started by Danielle F.
- Replies: 0
-
.png){kind=icon}
with me come fly 