Fly Infestation Hits Gauteng: What's Causing It And How To Fight Back

Holifil

31 Mar, 2025

A pest control company has confirmed what Gauteng residents already know: there's a massive fly infestation going on.
After endless complaints from social media users about swarms of flies, experts are pointing to the hot and humid weather as the main culprit.
Rentokil's technical manager says the weather is creating the perfect breeding ground for flies, and Briefly News reached out to residents of Evaton to hear their stories firsthand.

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has spent seven years covering accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather, and natural disasters for Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News. He's here to break it down for you.

A pest control expert says the soaring temperatures in Gauteng are behind the fly invasion. Images: arlindo71 and Tanut Nitkumkhan. Source: Getty Images

GAUTENG — If you’ve been feeling like you’re in a never-ending battle with flies, you’re not alone. Residents across Gauteng are dealing with an unprecedented fly infestation, and experts confirm that the scorching weather is the main reason. Let’s dive into what’s really going on and how you can fight back.

Why Are Flies Taking Over Gauteng?

According to The South African, Mario Pluke, the technical manager at Rentokil, explained that the hot and humid conditions are creating the perfect environment for flies to thrive. These pesky insects love breeding in areas with unpleasant odors and strong food scents, which can come from things like animal waste, trash, or even spoiled food. The heat acts as a catalyst, speeding up the breeding process and making it harder for residents to keep their homes fly-free.

Read also:
Kauai Your Goto For Fresh Healthy And Flavorful Meals

What Can You Do About It?

Pluke emphasized that flies multiply at an alarming rate, even with the smallest trace of food. That’s why it’s crucial to take preventive measures. Rentokil has seen a significant rise in pest control requests from homeowners who are desperate for solutions. Here’s what Pluke recommends: clean and disinfect surfaces regularly to get rid of any food residue. Make sure your trash is disposed of in sealed bins and clean those bins often. These small steps can make a big difference in controlling the infestation.

Gauteng residents need to step up their game when it comes to trash disposal. Image: Rez-art. Source: Getty Images

Briefly News Talks to Residents

We spoke to residents in Evaton, part of Emfuleni in Gauteng, who are struggling with the fly problem. Many of them live near illegal dumping sites, which only makes the situation worse. Matshepo Motobatse shared her frustrations, saying, "It’s impossible to win this fight when you live near an illegal dumping site. No matter how much I clean or how many insect repellents I use, the flies just keep coming back."

"Living near an illegal dumping site makes it even more difficult for me to keep the flies away because I have to clean regularly and use an obscene amount of insect repellants, but to no avail," she said.

John Mahlangu from Sebokeng added another layer to the problem: power outages. "Yoh, whenever the power goes out, our meat gets spoiled, and we have to throw it away. The flies swarm around our houses because of the heat and the smell of rotting food. And let’s not forget the dumping site near our homes—it’s a major obstacle," he explained.

"Yoh, whenever the power goes out, our meat gets spoiled and we must throw it away. The flies swarm around our houses because of the heat and the smell of rotting food, and the dumping site near our homes is a stumbling block," he said.

When Cockroaches Invade Bread

In a related story, Briefly News reported on a shocking incident where a cockroach ran into a loaf of bread in a bakery in Dobsonville, Soweto, back in 2023. The viral video left many South Africans questioning the cleanliness of local bakeries.

In the clip, a man lifts the loaf of bread, revealing the cockroach inside. The roach quickly scurries away, leaving viewers both grossed out and concerned about food safety standards. Many South Africans were left wondering, "What happened to the inspectors in this country?"