Lots of flies, flying around my head!…

If there is one thing we have noticed since returning to Marloth Park a few days ago, it is the incredible number of flies. They are everywhere! Around the veranda, around the doors and windows, outside when we sit at the table, and, despite our best efforts, occasionally inside the house. At times, it seems as if an entire flying insect population is competing with us for space.

So why are there so many flies in Marloth Park right now?

As it turns out, there is a very good explanation, and the timing makes perfect sense.

We are now approaching the end of September, and the weather in this part of South Africa is beginning to change. The dry winter months are behind us, temperatures are climbing, and humidity and rainfall are rising. Nearby Komatipoort has recently experienced warm temperatures, periods of rain, and relatively high humidity. Those conditions are particularly favorable for flies and other insects.

Rain and humidity provide something flies desperately need: moisture.

According to an entomology expert from North-West University, fly populations in South Africa can increase after periods of heavy rainfall because higher humidity improves the survival rate of fly larvae. Those larvae thrive in organic material such as animal dung, rotting fruit and garden refuse. When conditions are dry, many larvae don’t survive. When the environment becomes warmer and more humid, considerably more can make it through their development into adult flies.

And if there is one thing we certainly have plenty of around here, it is organic material.

Last night, as we dined at the table on the veranda, we had to cover our food after every bite. Otherwise, the flies would quickly cover our plates, especially since our dinner consisted primarily of meat, which they seem to love. It was almost comical, except when we were trying to eat! When I prepare any meat in the kitchen, dozens of flies appear within seconds, swarming around the food as if they have been waiting for me to start cooking. I have never experienced anything quite like this except in Baii and Australia. Ugh! Living in the bush certainly comes with some challenges we don’t encounter anywhere else!

Marloth Park isn’t a typical suburban neighborhood where lawns are carefully maintained, and every fallen leaf is immediately removed. This is a wildlife conservancy. Wild animals wander through the park every day, leaving obvious evidence of their presence. Birds, monkeys, antelope, warthogs, and countless other creatures all contribute to the natural environment.

Add animal dung, vegetation, fallen fruit, food scraps and warmer weather to the equation, and we have what amounts to an all-you-can-eat buffet for flies.

Of course, we don’t mind most of the insects that come with living in the bush. In fact, insects are an important part of the ecosystem. Over the years, we’ve learned that living in Marloth Park means accepting plenty of creatures we wouldn’t necessarily invite into our homes.

But there is a difference between appreciating nature and having dozens of flies buzzing around our heads while we’re trying to enjoy our morning coffee!

The flies seem particularly bad around our veranda, which isn’t surprising. We spend a great deal of time sitting outside with the doors open, watching the wildlife come and go. Unfortunately, flies apparently consider our veranda to be a very desirable restaurant with excellent seating.

We have also noticed they seem especially persistent at certain times of day. They land on the table, on us, on anything remotely interesting, and occasionally seem determined to fly directly into our faces. Swatting at them becomes an exercise in futility because another always seems to be waiting to take the place of the one we just chased away.

The good news is that this may not continue indefinitely. As the weather patterns change again, insect populations will change along with them. For now, though, we may have to accept that flies are part of our current Marloth Park experience.

After all, we came back to the bush to experience nature.

Nobody said nature had to be limited to elephants, giraffes, zebras and kudus.

Apparently, it includes flies, too.

And right now, the flies seem determined to make sure we don’t forget that! Just now, I jumped up and sprayed myself from head to toe with repellent, and now they have stopped attacking me for a while! Yeah!

Be well.

 

Photo from ten years ago today, September 24, 2016: