Cattle producers in Central Australia say the fly population there has exploded in the past few months, making working outside almost unbearable.

Key points: Flies are so bad in Central Australia some cattle producers have bought fly nets for the first time

Flies are so bad in Central Australia some cattle producers have bought fly nets for the first time One theory is the decline in dung beetles because of the drought has allowed flies to breed

One theory is the decline in dung beetles because of the drought has allowed flies to breed Some pastoralists are hopeful the fly population explosion is a sign of a good season to come

Pastoralists are begrudgingly starting to buy fly nets for the first time, a bush fashion faux pas normally associated with overseas tourists visiting the outback.

At Aileron Station, about 135 kilometres north of Alice Springs, manager Sarah Cook said the sheer number of flies made it difficult to work outside.

"The flies have been horrendous and so thick," she said.

"You can't talk, you can't breathe with your mouth open, you have to cover your ears in case they get in your ear hole — it's just horrendous."

For the first time in her five years at the station the team at Aileron has started to wear fly veils.

"Everyone's got fly nets and they're a commodity around here," she said.

"You don't put your net down and leave it unattended because someone else will come and pick it up.

"Never, ever in our five years have we used a fly net here … and now I've got three."

The flies are thick at Aileron Station. ( Facebook: Aileron Station )

'About ten trillion of the bloody things'

Chris Nott from Alcoota Station, about 110 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs, has been working in the district since 1983, and said the flies were the worst he had ever seen.

"Up until last year I reckon I'd hardly ever seen a fly, but I reckon now Alcoota's got about ten trillion of the bloody things," he said.

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Mr Nott said he too was wearing a fly net for the first time.

"When I see anyone in my peer group I certainly whip the fly net off and pretend I can handle it, but when there's no one looking I've got it choked up around my neck so that no flies come in," he said.

Mr Nott thought the flies might have boomed in numbers because the dung beetle population had declined during the drought, giving flies the perfect conditions to breed in.

"You can see that there's no faeces being buried by dung beetles," he said.

Even the horses have fly nets at Mt Riddock Station in the Red Centre. ( Supplied: Mt Riddock Station )

Some are still holding off on the fly nets

Not everyone in the region has succumbed to the fly nets though.

At Elkedra Station, about 130km south-east of Tennant Creek, station manager Amber Driver said she had bought some veils, but they mostly remained unused.

"I think for the most part they've been tucked under the seat or the dash of the Toyota, but I know that the fellas are getting closer to breaking them out and using them because the flies are terrible," she said.

"I've got the camera ready for when they do crumble and put it on and I'm sure that's what they're worried about."

Ms Driver hoped the flies were a sign of good things on the horizon.