We can investigate complaints about insects if they are arising from industrial, trade or business premises.
A specific source of the insects must be provided. Nuisance records will then be required from complainants to show that the insects are having a significant impact on your quality of life.
If you are experiencing insect problems from a commercial neighbour we also recommend that you try to speak to them first. If this is not successful or if individuals are not approachable, think about writing to them. If this is also not possible, then why not try contacting the free mediation service we partner with, who can assist you in communicating with your neighbour. Please read their privacy notice.
We recommend phoning mediation on 01323 442 781 to discuss their services before you report the problem to us.
Please note, anonymous complaints cannot be processed.
If discussing the issue isn’t possible, or was unsuccessful and you want to complain, please provide an accurate address or location of where the problem is coming from. That will enable us to assess and investigate your complaint and if needed, contact the person responsible for the issue.
If you are unsure of the address/ location of the problem, then please undertake further investigations before registering your complaint. Please do not use your own address as the source of the problem because we cannot accept your complaint. Unfortunately, Environmental Health is unable to help trace the source of an issue.
Chironomid Flies in Uckfield
We are aware that many residents and businesses near to the Waste Water Treatment Works in Uckfield, occasionally have problems with tiny insects called Chironomid flies. These flies are coming from filter beds at the local Treatment Works.
Working Together
Southern Water is communicating well and working hard with local people to stop these flies from becoming a frequent nuisance. However, this is a very difficult problem to solve completely.
Why is this happening?
• Breeding in the Cold: These flies can lay eggs and grow whenever it is warmer than 5°C. This means they can stay active even during the winter if the weather is mild.
• Limited Tools: There is only one type of treatment allowed in the UK by the Environment Agency to control these flies.
• Washed Away by Rain: To stop the flies, the treatment must be put onto the open filter beds at the works. Unfortunately, when it rains heavily, the treatment gets washed away and doesn’t work as well as it should.
• Wetter Winters: Because of climate change, our winters are becoming warmer and wetter. This makes it much harder to keep the fly numbers down.
• A National Issue: This isn’t just happening in Uckfield; many other water treatment sites across the UK are facing the same problem.
The Council’s Role
The Council recognises the impact on individual households when they are affected by the flies. If the swarms affect the same households for long periods of time, multiple times a year, it might be able to act.
However, the impact on individual households can be short lived and the flies can affect different properties every year. This makes it hard for the Council to gather enough evidence to take legal action. The law also says that Southern Water might have a “best practicable means” defence because they are using the only treatment allowed.
How to make a complaint
If you are affected by these flies, it is very important you tell Southern Water directly so they can keep an official record of the problem.
- Log a formal complaint: Use the Southern Water Complaints Page to report the issue.
- Call them: You can also call their customer care team on 0330 303 0223 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)