#Hordes of blood-sucking, disease-carrying horse flies invade the UK

Enlarge Image

A Notch-horned Cleg or cleg fly (Haematopota pluvialis) piercing a man’s arm with mouthparts.
Getty Images/iStockphoto

First came Brexit. Then came COVID-19 and now the Brits are having to battle hordes of disease-ridden horse flies that have invaded parks and gardens in the UK, according to the Mirror.

The half-inch long flies, which usually are found in the country have invaded the cities during the coronavirus lockdown, congregating around pools, ponds, and gardens– and urbanites are feeling the sting. Unfortunately, the flies, which thrive in hot and humid conditions are expected to multiply with upcoming thunderstorms predicted.

Some people who were bitten required hospitalization and a round of antibiotics, according to the paper. The bites can also lead to cellulitis, a skin infection.

The gargantuan flies who strike without warning are, according to the British Pest Control Association, “Literally designed to eat a horse, their bite is both impressive and painful. … They can persistently chase you at a flying speed of around 15 mph, and it’ll bite right through clothes. It has mandibles that can rip and tear flesh apart.”