Residents are feeling ‘imprisoned’ in their own homes as thousands of flies have overrun their village, in scenes akin to the Alfred Hitchcock classic The Birds.
Homeowners in Leicester Park East, Leicester, claim the insects have been tormenting them for years – but this summer has been the most unbearable yet.
The fear of being swarmed by bugs has left people too terrified to open their windows, with the insects even crawling over them while they sleep. Children have been confined indoors, and summer holiday barbecues and parties have had to be relocated indoors or elsewhere.
One local likened the situation to “living in a miniature version of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.”
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Locals, frustrated with the situation, blame a nearby recycling centre, hot temperatures, and bi-weekly bin collections for the problem. They claim the issue is making their lives miserable, with dozens of dead insects collected in flytraps hanging from their ceilings.
(Image: Joseph Walshe / SWNS)
Gemma Clarke, a 36-year-old mother of two who has lived in Maple Avenue for the past nine years, said her children have been reduced to tears and their summer break has been ‘ruined’.
Gemma, who works part-time at a special needs school, said: “I’m swatting flies constantly. I dread cooking a meal and we can’t have any doors or windows open.
“The children cannot play, we cannot sit in the garden. We’ve not had a paddling pool this year. Their summer has just been ruined. The kids hate it. They just end up crying.”
She claimed nine homes were put up for sale this summer because of the issue.
(Image: Joseph Walshe / SWNS)
Another local Derek Johnson, 61, added: “This is the worst it’s ever been. I don’t know how they can expect us to live like this.
“It’s like being in a real-life, but miniature version, of The Birds. It’s got the point where I can’t wait for summer to be over.”
Gran-of-two Alison Smith, 61, said said she is even considering moving house as a result of the infestation.
She added: “The problem started a few years ago but each summer the issue gets worse and worse.
“The recycling place used to just take cardboard but then they started taking wet waste and then the flies began coming – and each year there’s more of them.”
Recycling company Casepak told the BBC the company “always strived to be a responsible operator and a good neighbour”.
(Image: Joseph Walshe / SWNS)
They added: “We are aware of wider environmental issues within the Leicester Forest East area, including the increased fly activity reported by residents.
“At Casepak, we undertake extensive work around pest management.
“Our pest control programme is managed and delivered by an internal environmental technician and our plan is reviewed every year by an external specialist and approved by the EA.”
A representative for the Environment Agency stated: “During the summer months, and while we continue to receive reports of flies in the area, our aim is to visit Casepak weekly to ensure the company is complying with its permit.”
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