A fly-out worker has revealed how an often-forgotten summer annoyance can make work hell for Australians in outback mines.
Brea Polkinghorne warned that flies swarm mines from spring to fall and workers can’t escape them.
He said it’s one of the reasons the mining industry is far from glamorous, despite lucrative six-figure salaries.
“FIFO life is great, and what they don’t really tell you about are the damn flies,” he said. yahoo.
These little bastards literally treat you like a buffet they paid for in advance. Hitting and dodging these motherfuckers is literally like a side job right now.
‘I swear to God, they literally laugh at you. They are the real locals. They literally watch us idiots fight them day after day.
‘But hey, that’s FIFO life, right? Good salary. Great views. More flies than you could ever want.
FIFO workers shared nightmarish videos online of swarms on their bodies and faces while they worked.
FIFO worker Brea Polkinghorne said flies ‘treat you like a buffet’ in Australian outback mines
He said it’s one of the reasons the mining industry is far from glamorous, despite lucrative six-figure salaries.
Many miners have taken to social media to share the swarms of flies that are already causing problems before the start of summer.
Some would find insects completely unpleasant.
But many consider the lucrative six-figure salaries to be sufficient compensation.
Jobs website Seek estimates that the average mining salary is between $120,000 and $140,000, depending on the role, location, employer and shift patterns of miners.
Fly populations increase in hot, humid conditions and hot months usher in hordes of flies arriving in rural and regional workplaces across the country.
The irritating insects thrive in climatic conditions and fresh cow dung, where the larvae mature.
Just two weeks ago in Sydney, a mild winter and a warm, wet start to spring caused unusually large numbers of flies to chase city dwellers.
Experts expect the surge to last until the fall or winter of 2025.
“It’s been pretty bad for a few months now and will probably continue into fall or winter of next year,” said Julian Bracewell of Pest2Kill. news.com.au.
“You always see an increase in moths, butterflies, flies and mosquitoes around spring because it’s warm and humid, and that’s when plants and organic life flourish.”
But, he said, this year there were more pesky flies than usual invading the city because of El Niño and rising temperatures.