Flies everywhere: friend or foe?

I have never seen such an infestation of what look like ordinary house flies in my garden before this year. They are constantly around by the dozens, sitting on leaves of perennial leaves of all kinds, annuals, and veggies. Today when I went into my veggie garden around 4PM they were literally swarming around. Besides grossing me out, are they damaging the plants? What is it they're after? Do I need to get rid of them? They look exactly like houseflies, but maybe I am wrong. I put compost around my veggies yesterday so maybe that is why there are so many in that area today, are they chowing on composte?

Well, at least it isnt just me, Ive been meaning to post the very same question but just havent got around to it. I have plain ol common house flys all over my daylilies. I can't tel they are doing anything? But I have never had them this bad before either. I wonder what they are up to?

Mine are just sitting there like they have nothing better to do. But there are so many!!!! Well, lets see what the others have to say

Same problem here...

I've had flies, but I don't think more than usual. We've had more rain than usual, maybe that isn't to the flies liking...

Well, I hate to add to the chorus of "me too!" without having any answers but: ME TOO!!!! I'm a COMPLETE beginner who ended up with tomatoes, bell peppers, various hot peppers and corn growing next to my house in the middle of Hollywood, CA, through a combination of happenstance, impulsiveness and a perfectionist/obsessive/addictive personality. I've been at war with the flies since I planted (... and the ants, but that's for another post). I'd heavily amended my previously lifeless dirt (it truly wasn't worthy of being called soil) with organic soil and compost so I think that's what's drawing in the flies. Battled with relatively organic means at first, such as the traps you can get at Home Depot, but soon decided that the effect of the horrible smelling attractant was bringing in more of the ample supply of flies in the area than the traps were catching. Tried various herbs that were supposed to be repellents ... no luck. Finally went to old fashioned remedies: good ol' chemical-laden bug spray to use out of range of the garden and a fly swatter for all the lil' bastards I can get on and near the plants. Between the two, I probably have close to 100 confirmed kills per day for the last several days. They're not AS prevalent now but they're certainly not all gone either. Wondering if I should tone down this particular obsession but want someone to sound authoritative in saying they pose no risk/harm to the veggies first.

We've had more flies than usual this year and everyone has been chalking it up to last year's drought bringing on a much better than usual hatch of vile beasties. Don't know of any specific dangers other than filth, but I'm a newbie...

well, lack of rain isn't the problem here in Toronto, we're headed for record levels, and the plants look soooo happy. I think I figured out my fly population explosion.
1) I am using alot more kitchen waste than ever before in my composter
2) I am using a lot of blood meal for fertilizer.
Still, it's weird how they sit on the leaves just looking stupid.

Ya'll need to bring in some birds, toads and lizards. We have so many toads & lizards if there was a way I'd send you some. Also, "grandaddy long legs" are abundant here. Of course, we live out in the country and no chemicals around, maybe that is why or maybe I'm just not seeing the flies.

I've got a ton of flies also, way more than last year, but I started composting this year too. Added a ton more paper to my vermipost and it seems to have helped. I have a lot of frogs to go w/ the flies too. Had both last year but the frogs are way more plentiful and bigger this year.

Still no voice of authority, problem for the veggies or just pests?

I'd love to have some frogs, you folks who have the little ribbets must be near water. Despite all the rain we are landlocked here so no go. I have lots of birds, cardinals, finches, robins, but now that I think about it they are probably overfed in the bird feeder, so maybe I will have to make them work for their supper.
But, RJ, I'd like the voice of authority to comment also!!
Your Canadian garden friend

Hmmm, I'm new to this site (as well as to gardening) but I'm starting to get the sense that the problem with the Beginners forum is that there's nothing but beginners here! We need to recruit a veteran expert to visit these threads and give us some answers. If any of you have such friends or acquaintances, tell 'em to stop by. Just think of the ego boost they could get with all us newbies worshiping at their feet! :P

(p.s. - The update for today is that I'm trying to just let the fly thing go. I'm resigning myself to the fact that it's a war I cannot win.)

Not a newbie here, just gardened for years and don't consider myself an expert by any means. The flies are simply a nuisance!! They will not hurt your veggies and are maybe drawn to any compost piles nearby or to anything rotting such as a veggie on the ground, like tomatoes. Now, white flies are a different story for another thread.