Hello Naomi,

Do you happen to have any other photos of the flies? I assigned this question to an expert but they struggled to ID the insect with the photo that was submitted. Feel free to reply to this message with any additional photos.

Thank you,

McKenzie

Greetings,

I hear your concern about the flies that are bothering you. While it's not possible to identify your fly from the image you shared, here are a few options that might help: 

• Reply with an in-focus photo showing all parts of the insect. 
• Contact your nearest Master Gardener plant clinic to see if you can bring them a sample for identification: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/have-gardening-question
• Check out this list of some common flies and options for management. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7457.html
  

The top takeaway, per the University of California: "Almost all nuisance fly species are best controlled by eliminating larval developmental sites and reducing adult attractants in the vicinity of buildings or other areas of concern. Chemicals are only rarely required for fly management in residential situations. Their use generally leads only to short-term control because they target adult flies, leaving immature developmental sites unchanged and available to produce the next generation of adult flies."