No, the Soutpansberg is not suffering from a fly epidemic as the higher concentration of flies is quite common for this time of the year.

This is according to Mr Alan McMurtrie of the Department of Environmental Affairs in Louis Trichardt.

Over the past weeks, residents have seen a dramatic increase in fly numbers and started speculating as to the cause of this. One conspiracy theory is that this is due to Louis Trichardt’s continued sewerage problems.

McMurtrie, however, says that the increase is a natural occurrence.

“This time of the year, when it starts getting warmer and before the first rains, is the worse time of the year with regard to an increase in fly numbers,” says McMurtrie. He adds that flies are seasonal and that the numbers should decrease after the first good rains. So too, residents will experience a decrease in mosquitoes as a result of the dry conditions. Flies, on the other hand, like the dry conditions.

As for the conspiracy theory with regard to the town’s sewerage problems, McMurtrie says that flies do not need sewerage to breed, although they might be attracted by the smell.

“People should not see flies as dirty insects that should be killed at all cost,” McMurtrie says. They play an important role in human survival as they break down dead matter very quickly. This is especially true with regard to animal carcasses at roadsides and in the field.