Are flies still a big problem?

You will find flies a problem in all hot countries not just Spain. Sucina is no different to anywhere else, nothing to do with the fertiliser factory. Sorry but the Mediterranean coastal plain is a large agricultural area and to get the wonderful fruit and vegetables fertiliser is needed. We have been many places round Almeria and Murcia, always the same flies, had breakfast in Camposol this week, fork in one hand the other hand keeping flies at bay.

Hi Ginger,

Thanks for reply. 

Yes, we are fully aware of flies and mozzies (don't forget the midges - they've got quite a bite in Spain) in the summer season.  And still enough around in rest of year too!  But a few postings indicated unproportionate swarms of dung flies in the summer in Sucina.

Like most people, we've spent enough time abroad, over the years, to acquaint ourselves with some of the 'minor' less attractive issues of holidaying abroad.

I'm sure you had no intention of being patronising but let me explain. We've always lived in villages, surrounded by countryside, in UK.  And are fully aware of farmers methods of fertalizing crops and the reason for the practice!  In fact, we applaud the use of natural fertalizers as opposed to chemical one.

However, in various places in Spain (we always over winter too) we've never had to sit at local restaurants and swat away flies with one hand whilst eating with the other.  Yes to swatting away the odd fly or insect but not a barage.  Nor have we opened our car door and found ourselves sharing the ride home with upto 20+ flies which got in.  That is beyond acceptable or normal when it is quite possible to reduce the problem by spraying.  Especially when it comes to safeguarding the health of the human lives of nearby villagers.

It's an issue which I hoped to hear had been settled amicably between local government; farmers and villagers.  I believe there is an EU directive on this very subject!

As I have said, it is not just Sucina but the whole agricultural areas of the Mediterranean Plain. I don’t live in ?Sucina so no point in lying, it is the total areas. Before moving to Spain we lived in France, the same problem in summer but the bitterly cold winters soon eradicated. In .soain the winters aren’t that cold so more survive. Since last September there has been plenty of rain leaving pools for mozzies to breed, an abundance this year all sizes, the rain pools also give moisture for the flies. 

Ah, Ginger,

We also lived in France.  The Pyrennes Atlantique region.  About 40 ks from Biarritz.  We never had any particular problem with flying fiends there either.  We loved our time there but the winters can be very cold.  In our older age we started coming to Spain and now have decided to settle permanently.  Which region did you live in?

Hi Annie,

I found a lovely property in Sucina and of course read up on it as soon as I got back to my hotel (I was doing this on all properties I saw as agents were taking me around ) I found so many reports from people who actually lived in Sucina saying that it was impossible to eat out in their gardens during the summer months - no windows could be left open etc. This was not one isolated report but from many and the thought of not being able to sit outside during the hot summers really made up my mind for me. I did go back several times and sat in the square but it was just too much too many flies so I couldn't even order food.

I tried several different areas around there but in the end moved further North around a 40 min drive from Alicante and 15 mins inland. Yes we get the usual mossies, fruit flies etc., but a quick spray every few hours keeps them at bay, unlike Sucina.

However, having said all that it is a lovely place and a lot of people live there, so it is a matter of choice.

Good luck,

Hi Anne.

We have had a place in Sucina since 2008 and go there as much as we can. I cannot in all honesty say that the fly problem is any different from anywhere else in Southern Spain.

Hi Anthomos (A very Sheakspearian name :-))

Thank you for your findings and comments.  I think your advice to visit first is good.  We intend visiting a few times in July, eating in the square and walking round the Calles where we want to buy.

There are always flies & mozzies all over, it's natural, but with certain precautions e.g. spraying gardens/pots after watering & fly screens etc,. you can usually minimise the blighters.   But I can see even those precautions might not do very much to eliminate swarms of dung flies.

Thanks again, Anne.

Thank you, Stevie.

It's helpful to have other POVs too.

We are not writing off Sucina.  Just considering all the pros and cons. 

I think you will agree, there will be pros & 'cons' with any area.  We know the pros and also need to consider things like degree of impact on everyday life. Possible mitigation or minimalisation of the problem etc,. 

We're going to visit and walk round & eat at town centre a couple of times before, we hope, buying the villa we viewed.

Once again, thanks so much for the response.  It all helps.  Anne

I live down the road in sierra golf,its bloody terrible for swarms flies ,wasps ,mosquitoes,and it stinks for long peri