I have seen this reported often with paniculatas. It seems the blooms are magnets for a type of fly that helps attract polinators... the flies in this case. They do no harm to the shrubs, people or pets and can controlled by either using citronella candles or by attracting birds with bird feeders.

Thank Luis. I wouldn't be bothered but the plant is right by my front entry! I appreciate your response!

Agreed! My QF attracts basically ALL insects that feed on pollen. Snow Mountain also blooms around the same time and attracts a similar crowd...

If you watch carefully for just a few minutes, you'll notice:

- ALL Bees (sweat, bumble, boring, honey, etc.)
- ALL Wasps
- ALL ants
- ALL flies
- various beetles

If you're that scared of bugs, you can try coating with insecticides, but I'm not particularly interested in disturbing such a large cross-section of my local insect ecosystem.

Thanks Springwood. I'm not scared as much as grossed out. I'm also a little worried all those flies may decide it's time to move into my house when the cool weather comes... Not sure I'll do anything right away, but I might replace the plant this fall.

I understand the problem. I have wasps build nests right above my entry door some years (not because of hydrangea's though).