There has been a call to import spring-active dung beetles from Spain to help combat the fly problem, however Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the government would not contribute financially to such a program.

Shadow Agriculture Minister Mick Murray said the flies would deter tourists from returning and the Barnett Government should rethink its decision not to fund the program to import the beetles.

"Flies are increasing in the lead-up to summer because there is nothing to keep them under control," Mr Murray said.

"Tourists who faced the intense amount of flies this year will be put off from coming here again.

"Workers and residents battle the same problem every year.

"Once summer arrives it is too late.

"The problem needs to be tackled well in advance."

The same issue was raised in March last year, when Mr Murray and University of Western Australia (UWA) entomologist Professor Ian Dadour urged Mr Redman to see the agricultural benefits of dung beetles.

At the time, Professor Dadour said the dung beetle program had shown the success it is over the autumn months and provided many direct benefits to agriculture.

"It is unbelievable, ask any farmer who has livestock," Prof Dadour said.

"Farmers see the true benefit; the control of flies is a side benefit."

Prof Dadour said these benefits included the reduction of disease-carrying flies which spread conjunctivitis between livestock, an immediate return of nutrients through the beetles burying themselves in soil, the creation of the beetles' tunnels through the ground creating better aeration, and preventing the spread of parasites by stripping paddocks of dung.

Agriculture and Food Department Bunbury biosecurity officer Brian Smith said flies in the South West were in higher numbers than usual, similar to the days before dung beetles were introduced.

However, Mr Smith said dung beetle activity had begun to ramp up, which would reduce fly numbers in a short period of time.