Stormont fly swarm like scene from a film, says MLA

A number of rooms at Stormont are set to be fumigated after an infestation of cluster flies.

The insects, as their name suggests, often form in clusters when hibernating in the autumn, and can usually be found in the upper rooms and roof spaces of buildings.

Rooms on the third floor of the building are set to be treated on Friday afternoon.

Foyle assembly member (MLA) Mark H Durkan said his office was one of those affected.

In a post on Facebook, Durkan said after entering the room, he noticed a number of flies on the window.

“Being the nice guy that I am, I opened it to let them out,” he said.

“As I was pulling the window up, I noticed that the external windowsill was absolutely covered with layers and layers of the insects.”

Durkan said the swarm then entered his office “like a scene from The Mummy”.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme, he said the flies “swarmed in”.

“I wouldn’t consider myself particularly squeamish but such was the size and speed of the swarm that my reaction was to just let out a shriek, possibly a few expletives, turn on my heels and run for the door, which I slammed promptly behind me.”

In the Facebook post, a note had been posted suggesting there has been an “issue” regarding cluster flies entering rooms on the third floor.

“Building Services have therefore booked pest control to fumigate any effected rooms on the afternoon of Friday 18 October.”

It asked if rooms could be vacated by 13:00 BST as work cannot be carried out if someone is present.

Entomologist Paul Moore told BBC News NI that “dozens of people [are] complaining about cluster flies at the minute”, as it is “the time of year for them”.

Mr Moore, who is experienced in the study of insects, said the flies “are coming out of hibernation” due to milder weather.

“But once the weather settles down to around our normal seven or eight degrees they will go back into hibernation again and they will stay up in a cold spot for up to early Spring,” he said.

The insects are not disease carriers, he said, and are an important food source for baths and birds.

“All insects have got some kind of worth,” he added.