A Norfolk man is battling an infestation of fruit flies at his home in Stoke Holy Cross.

Matthew Jackson, 39, from Colman Avenue, said the flies began pouring into his bungalow around 10 days ago.

Since then, he has managed to catch hundreds of them using fly paper, chemical fly traps, as well as a makeshift trap using an old ice-cream tub with mashed banana and sugar inside.

'There were about 300 of them on the kitchen wall,' said the married dad. 'They were all over the food.'

Professor Tracey Chapman from the UEA's biology department attributed Mr Jackson's problem to the recent spell of warm weather, as this can cause the flies to come out of their winter hibernation early.

She explained that these were likely to be a type of fly called drosophilids.

Around 1-2mm in length, with brightly-coloured eyes, they are often found in vegetable gardens or around the house attracted by rotting food and the yeast in alcohol.

In Norwich pub-goers have reported clouds of the flies around their beer.

'They're pretty good at reproducing,' said Professor Chapman. 'They can go from egg to adult in 10-12 days – depending on the temperature – and each fly can lay tens of eggs per day with a good food source'.

Mr. Jackson noted that his neighbours had indeed noticed the flies, but since they tended to keep their doors and windows shut they haven't experienced the same problem as he has.

Infestations have also been reported in Trowse, Brundall, Hedenham and Shotesham.

Have you had a problem with fruit flies in your home? Call 01603 772477 or email newsdesk@archant.co.uk.