ELIZABETHTOWN -- Essex County lawmakers are preparing to attack an infestation of flies at the County Courthouse.

County Judge Richard Meyer alerted them to the problem, Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said.

"There seems to be a huge problem with the infestation of flies. There was also a problem back in 2007 in regards to the fly infestation."

He said the county has to do something before the flies take over the courthouse.

County Manager Clifford Donaldson Jr. said Aardvark Pest Control was called last year by County Purchasing Agent James Pierce to deal with the flies.

"He (Pierce) had them come down and address that issue."

Supervisor Noel Merrihew III (R-Elizabethtown) said flooding the courthouse with deadly fumes isn't the best way to eradicate the flies.

"The idea of just bombing the facility on a regular basis presents some real health sensitivities there, in case you have pregnant women and things like that."

County Department of Public Works Superintendent Frederick Buck said experts say fumigation is ineffective, and he suggested just letting them fly away.

"They (experts) suggested not bombing. Open the windows."

Merrihew said Buck has been handling the problem.

"Fred has been intimately involved in this on an ongoing basis. The original treatment that seemed to be most effective was a springtime-summer treatment that addressed the ground itself outside the facility, and I think that probably would be our best bet," Merrihew said.

Cluster flies have responded to that method before, Buck said.

"That is going to be done again, three or four times a year treatment."

Supervisor Roby Politi (R-North Elba) said his town called Orkin to attack the flies from the outside.