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. So how can you get rid of cluster flies in the house?
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.
Where do cluster flies come from?
You should check the following areas to see if your property has a cluster fly problem:
- Check around doors and windows.
- Around electrical outlets in the house
- In and under eaves and siding.
- At pipe, wire, and cable openings.
- Along the roof or attic
- Around vents.
Risks of a fly infestation
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.
You’ll be most likely to find in your loft space. Historically cluster flies would hibernate in hollow trees, under lose bark or other dry sheltered areas. However, our warm, weatherproof and protected homes are particularly inviting to them.
Cluster flies pose a particular problem for home or business 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.
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How to get rid of cluster flies in house
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. DIY fly sprays will have an effect on direct contact with the flies, but not on those already hibernating in cracks and crevices.
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
If an infestation has already occurred, you need to take immediate action. You are likely to need the help of a professional pest controller, who can use treatments such as residual sprays to target all active flies and others as they emerge from hibernation.
Electric Fly Killers and 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. 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. You can also try to use the electric fly killers capture and kill flying insects.
Worried about an infestation? Contact us today or call 1890 666 444 for advice, free call out and free quote from your local expert
Flies aren’t harmful, but they are indeed very unpleasant and annoying at the same time when they invade your home. These flies are capable of spreading diseases like malaria, typhoid, cholera, dysentery and gastroenteritis.Flies pick up bacteria from waste materials and garbage and transfer these bacteria from their feet to surfaces they sit on. They can sit anywhere; your food, clothes, face, hands etc.
Hi Amol,
Thank you for visiting our blog. They are unpleasant indeed and might spread disease. We hope that you find our blog helpful.
Regards,
Rentokil