What are cluster flies?
Cluster flies are around 8mm in length and usually identified by its unique bodily colours. They boast a dark grey colour, with specs of gold hair and longer than normal wings. These irritating, swarming pests mostly lay eggs in spring, and then hibernate in your home at the top end of winter – most prominently in August.
How to identify cluster flies
Cluster flies aren’t usually alone, which makes it slightly easier when hunting them down. You would usually find a large quantity of dead flies, clustered together. The loft is a very common place for Cluster flies to be found, sometimes underneath the insulating foam.
Where Do Cluster Flies Come From?
It’s important to find out exactly where your infestation of Cluster flies is coming from before beginning to treat the problem. The best places to check for clusters of these pests are:
- Around doors and windows (look for cracks)
- Near plug sockets inside the home
- Cables or loose wires
- In the loft
- In and around vents
Do Cluster flies carry any risks of disease?
Although there is no proven disease risk to humans, Cluster flies can cause many problems and become irritating to those of the affected household. With the large quantities that they appear in, they are likely to produce a huge amount of excrement that can stain, and also pose a nasty odour. If you do suspect an infestation of Cluster flies, it’s important to ensure that your food preparation surfaces, and kitchen, is immaculate and clear of these pests before cooking. Otherwise, it could lead to food contamination and land you unwell.
Ways to prevent cluster flies
I am on hand 24/7 to come and remove all infestations of Cluster flies from your home, however there are various ways that you can prevent the problem in the first place.
Cluster flies are known for entering homes through cracks in the door and windows, or any other unsealed opening:
To prevent cluster flies hibernating in your home:
- Identify and fill in all small cracks that are apparent near your doors and windows.
- Replace all damaged screens/glass on your doors and windows
- You could cover your air vents with fly nets to prevent them entering the home
- De-clutter your home and keep your living areas tidy
- Keep your wires neat – don’t have lots of wires jumbled up together
If you do incur an infestation of Custer flies, it’s best to give me call and I will remove them safely, and ensure that these nasty pests won’t return.