Villagers in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, are grappling with what they describe as a 'plague' of flies, making it almost impossible to enjoy the recent hot weather with open doors and windows. The persistent infestation has led to widespread calls for immediate action from local authorities and environmental bodies, with residents reporting hundreds of insects entering their homes daily.
The severity of the problem is highlighted by accounts from locals, including Luke Gascoigne, 33, who lives on Coggan Walk. He described killing more than 80 flies in his kitchen in a single sweep using a salt gun, a device that fires ordinary table salt to eliminate bugs. Gascoigne noted that the issue has become so dire that even electric fly swatters struggle to cope, and a neighbour's pet rabbit reportedly succumbed to 'fly strike' – a condition where maggots infest a live animal.
The Calverton Miners Welfare social club has also been significantly affected, with club secretary Viv Corcoran, 72, stating they have tried numerous methods to deter the insects. The club has resorted to handing out fly swatters to regulars and encouraging them to use beer mats to cover their drinks. Corcoran recounted a recent community celebration for youth football teams where flies descended on the barbecue in their 'hundreds and thousands', creating an 'awful' experience.
Both Gedling Borough Council and the Environment Agency (EA) are actively investigating the source of the infestation. Residents have pointed towards a recycling centre, Pro Environmental, located on the village's outskirts. A spokesperson for Pro Environmental confirmed they have a pest management plan, including daily fly spraying which has been accelerated for greater effectiveness. They also acknowledged awareness of local bin collection delays, suggesting this, alongside the extreme heat, could be contributing factors.
The EA has inspected the Pro Environmental site following public reports and identified 'permit non-compliances', instructing the operator to rectify these issues. However, the agency has not yet definitively identified the source of the broader problem, stating their investigation is ongoing. Gedling Borough Council, while denying delays with its own residential and street bin collections, added that these are 'unlikely to be the source' of the flies. Independent councillor Andy Meads, representing Calverton, emphasised the overwhelming number of complaints, urging the EA to provide a clear explanation and implement measures to resolve the situation.