How to get rid of cluster flies this winter

Cluster Flies

Although flies can be a nuisance at most times of the year, cluster flies tend to become most problematic as autumn turns into winter. Seeking shelter from the frost and wind, they come indoors and settle down for the winter.

You can recognise cluster flies because they are larger than house flies and often appear to be slightly yellow or golden, because of their tiny hairs. They breed in soil and host on earthworms during the larva stage of their development.

Like many insects, they move inside for the winter months. They usually enter through gaps in roofs, attics, and eaves, and settle in warm, sun-facing spaces. Although the leave around early spring, they have been known to return to previously occupied spaces, leading to annual infestations.

Risks

Although cluster flies don’t pose a direct health risk to humans, they can be an annoyance. They tend to travel in huge swarms of thousands of flies. While they hibernate over the winter, their accumulated excrement can give off a noticeable stench. They can also stain fabrics and walls.

Cluster flies pose a particular problem for home and business, especially the food industry because they could contaminate the food or spread diseases. You need to ensure that all food storage and preparation areas are free from the pests. Otherwise, you could face reputational damage if customers see flies swarming around your premises. In addition, you could be fined or even shut down on health grounds.

Learn more:

• House fly transmitted diseases
• Signs of a fly infestation

Fly Prevention Tips

Although it is quite easy to swat and kill cluster flies, your primary objective should be to prevent them gaining access in the first place. You can use these measures to fly-proof your premises

Make your premises less inviting by keeping windows and doors shut. Remember cluster flies are attracted to sunny spaces, so use the curtain to block out light where necessary. You could also use fly screens, so that you can open your windows while still preventing flies.

Tidiness and cleanliness are vital allies in the battle against flies:

• Clean up any spills or discarded food or liquids
• Store rubbish in clean, lidded containers
• Remove and discard of any dead flies
• Clean any animal excrement, as this attracts flies
• Pour away any standing or stagnant water

Fly Extermination

If an infestation has already occurred, you need to take immediate action.

Electric Fly Killers

Electric fly killers are a safe and hygienic way to deal with an infestation. They usually have an attractive design so they don’t have to be hidden away, but they are very effective in eliminating flies in public areas. Lumina Fly Killer is an example of a fly filler that uses LED technology and streamline modern design to effectively eliminate flies.

Fly box

The Fly Box is a unique fly control unit that is designed to effectively control the number of flies around external refuse areas of premises. This helps to eliminate them before they enter the building and potentially spread disease. Flies will breed quickly and in large numbers in waste or refuse areas, increasing the risks of fly transmitted diseases such as E.Coli and Salmonella potentially affecting your products, customers, staff and your business reputation.

The Fly Box targets the flies external breeding sites. The unit requires no electricity to work, so is highly flexible in where it can be deployed to offer the most effective results. If used in conjunction with adequate fly screening it can be pivotal in reducing the risk of flies entering your property.

Worried about an infestation?

Our professional fly control service will kill flies on your property and identify and remove any potential breeding environment.