Black and white large flies or bees?

Where are you located? Do you have a photo of the insect?

Ucalyptus oil mint oil dish soap and cayenne pepper mix well put in a spray bottle and spray the

Hi not sure form your description but they sound like they may be leaf cutter bees of some sort. If they are cutting something like a circle out of the leaf that is probably what they are. If they are eating the whole leaf then I have no idea. Like the above poster said, a picture and you location might help. In general having the bite out of the leaf won't do any major harm to the plants.

I found a pic that might help

This might help

https://www.aussiebee.com.au/Images/leafcutter-bee-and-leaf-2.jpg

Hi being a bee keeper, I am always in favour of the bees, If you really feel the need to get rid of them, then using seven, quite toxic to bees would do it. Just remember it will kill all varieties of bees, including honey bees, and bumble bees as well. Please try not to spray the flowers of the plants.