Reflections on the Australian Bush Fly

Hate Them! They move with you in small clouds around your face. It's kind of unpleasant to eat outside on patios/street cafes. They are NASTY!!
Some information for your reading enjoyment:

The Victorian Fly Suppression Unit describes the problem as follows:

"The bush fly has been identified as the primary outdoor pest, especially at social functions, sporting activities and other pursuits in open areas. It occurs around homes in the outer suburban areas each summer and can also be a problem in the inner suburbs and the city itself in certain 'plague' years. House flies, stable flies and blow flies are secondary problems in and around homes, particularly at backyard barbeques or other outdoor leisure activities. Unlike bush flies they usually do not travel far from their breeding source and large numbers can generally be traced to neglected plant or animal waste in the near vicinity."

"The Fly Suppression Unit has confirmed that the bush fly does not breed in the metropolitan area but is blown in from farming areas. Its main breeding source is cattle dung and during summer breeding takes place throughout pastoral areas of Victoria. In winter, the fly dies out in Victoria, but each spring returns from States to the north of us, carried on the northerly winds."

It is not unusual to see Aussies break off smaller branches from gum trees and use them as switches to keep the flies at bay. This is my switch with a view of the Lorne Foreshore in the background.