To ask WHY I have this problem with flies

[Ihaveaquestionn]

Got my daughter a plastic playhouse last summer. It seems like flies are attracted to the roof and I have no idea why.

There’s also a couple of spots on the decking in my garden that they seem to gather, but mainly it’s the playhouse roof.

We had our patio doors open all summer and hardly any flies in the house.

i tried those sticky fly traps but that is not a long term solution as my daughter is getting taller and I don’t want her to touch them, plus it looks awful

Any ideas at all on why they are attracted to the roof and what I can do about it? We’ve been outside the last few days and it’s started again with a vengeance.

many thanks

Could you do nothing about it and simply ignore the flies? If it stops them coming into the house I would be happy - like a playhouse tapas.

Hi OP, have you tried any of the home-made repellents? Or tried lemongrass oil or similar? It’s worth a shot, you may have to do it everyday/everytime DD plays, but a quick spray may be better than loads of flies on the roof. However, whatever works for the roof, I’d also spray around your patio doors too so the flies don’t divert into your home. Good luck 🪰

What colour is the roof?

I think they like certain colours! My ds used to have a yellow football top that got covered in bugs whenever he wore it outside, or if it was hanging on the line.

What kind of flies are they? Buzzy green ones? Or the smaller quieter type that gather in clouds?

Are you in the countryside with fields around you?

If so they could be cluster flies.

https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/media/nqaecyzh/cluster-fly-fact-sheet.pdf

No advice I'm afraid but we have a number of colourful plastic items in the garden that flies seem to like.

Do you need to do anything about it? The playhouse is outside I presume.

I was going to ask this too! They definitely seem attracted to bright colours.

i spray painted our plastic playhouse (not for this reason). But the roof looks lovely in grey and it might solve your problem.

Thanks everyone

Yes @CagneyAndLazy our house does back onto fields/open countryside

And the playhouse roof is green @idontlikealdi

So I guess I know why it’s happening now!

might paint the roof and see what happens.

thanks, all