How to Get Rid of Cluster Flies | 5 Effective Ways

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Cluster flies are annoying, not to mention that they end up causing a constant buzzing noise around in the house and especially around your ears. And the constant whirring noises can be annoying at times, especially when sitting idly with no workaround. 

They are often found in clustered chunks around in large numbers, especially if you live in warm and sunny areas. They are hibernating flies, which means that you won’t find them around in the winter months. Also, you will often find them in enclosed areas like attics, which is why they are often called attic flies.

In this article, we will discuss some of the best ways to get rid of cluster flies. Also, we will highlight some of the basic facts about cluster flies and their characteristics.

Also read: How to Get Rid of Carpet Moths? | 10 Effective Methods

Cluster Flies – Overview

Scientifically named Pollenia Rudis, these are sluggish and noisy flies often found in clustered and enclosed spots like attics. They are found active during the spring and summer months, and they breed outdoors.

Although they are pretty annoying and can cross-contaminate food, you need to realize that they rely on flower nectar for their nutrition and food fix. They aren’t parasitic and won’t feed off of humans or even animals.

Also, as we have mentioned, cluster flies are hibernating creatures that tend to sleep away the winters. They prefer warm secluded areas, so you need to get rid of those spots if you want to prevent unnecessary infestations in the house.

As for their appearance, the cluster flies measured between 8 to 10 mm in length. Their entire body is marked with dark brown and checkered abdomen. They aren’t very active in their flight, which means that you won’t have a lot of issues swatting them out of your sight. One unique feature is that they have no sense of direction. This means that you will either find them flying around aimlessly or stay still in one position, making them seem dead on the ground.

How Long is the Life Cycle of a Cluster Fly?

You must be here confused, thinking why we are discussing all this when we are supposed to highlight some effective ways to get rid of these flies from home.

The reason why discussing these is necessary is because it helps you determine your plan of action better. Typically, the life cycle of a cluster fly ranges between 25 to 40 days. They do require optimal living conditions to survive, so if you find a few lying around on the ground, the chances are that they didn’t get the same.

Cluster flies are parasitic to earthworms, which means they burrow into the earthworms when they are in the larval stage. The reproduction phase comes to a halt during the late August months when they start looking for viable shelters for them to pass the winter months.

Why Is It Important to Get Rid of Cluster Flies?

Since we have mentioned that cluster flies don’t necessarily cause any harm to human beings, it is common to question why one should get rid of them. It is not just the physical harm, but the constant buzzing sound does become very annoying.

Also, people suffering from asthma struggle with the presence of cluster flies. Besides that, any kind of remnant cluster flies inside the cracks will attract more to cause the infestation even worse than one would imagine it to be.

Moreover, it is easy to swat them, but if done on the walls, they leave behind a greasy residue that is close to impossible to get off.

The reason why cluster flies often infest homes during the early winter is to seek shelter. Since the insides are often warm as compared to the outside, they swarm in large groups to hibernate in that area.

Steps to Get Rid of Cluster Flies

Wondering how to get rid of cluster flies? Well, although they aren’t doing any direct harm to you, keeping them out of the house is ideal for keeping your space clean and hygienic. This also reduces the risks of cross-contamination in the food.

Following are some of the best ways to get rid of these files without any complications.

1. Find the Gaps and Cracks

Since cluster flies are extremely small in size and shape, it is very easy for them to find smaller openings in the house and utilize them to their benefit. These flies are typically found around the late August months when the winter starts to set in. In those cases, you need to look around the doors, windows, and any other openings that you can find. If there are cracks from a previous storm or any issues with the doors or windows, fix them immediately.

Also, since they are commonly found in the attics, make sure you check for similar cracks and dents in the attic region too. Doing so will help you seal off all the entry points, ensuring that you don’t end up struggling with the raging infestation inside the house.

2. Repair the Damaged Doors and Windows

Not just the cracks on the walls and beneath the doors and windows, you also need to check for any damage to the doors and windows. If the doors and windows aren’t closing properly and leaving a slight opening around, call a professional and fix that immediately before it takes a turn for the worse.

Typically, we’d recommend you do this before the winter sets in. Since these flies don’t rely on humans for their food, you won’t find them lingering around the house during the summer months. So, don’t wait till the last moment and instead fix things up during the summer itself before it’s too late.

3. Install a Screen for Keeping Insects Out

Another foolproof and effective way to keep the cluster flies out of the house is by installing an insect screen on the doors and windows. This reduces a lot of the cost because they are long-wearing, and you don’t have to invest in a professional to do it. You can buy the set of insect screen covers and then install them on the windows and doors yourself, so there are no future risks.

4. Use Strong Essential Oils

Essential Oils
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/essential-oils-flower-aromatherapy-3084952/

Although this is a hit or misses among several users, the use of essential oils has been found to have potent benefits in keeping unwarranted pests out of reach. Just ensure that you use stronger and more fragrant oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, or peppermint oil. These work like magic and keep these flies out of your home.

If the infestation is out of control, you can try making a solution out of the water, dish soap, and some essential oil in it. Make some bubbles and leave them in the spot where the infestation is the maximum. The flies will get attracted to the dish, sniff, and end up getting trapped in the bubbles. Just make sure that you keep this out of the reach of children and pets.

5. Try Insect or Fly Repellents

Although not many people prefer this because of the high chemical content, the insect repellents do work wonders. The strong smell and the chemical properties kill these flies in a matter of seconds. The only issue is that you need to know where the infestation is the maximum. Once you find the source, it becomes easier to spray it accordingly and get rid of them for good.

Keep in mind that if this step doesn’t show promising results, your last resort is to avail professional pest control services. Those are effective and know exactly how to tackle the situations at hand. Just ensure that you hire reliable service providers.

If you are frustrated with the infestation and are looking for how to get rid of cluster flies, we hope this article gives you all the insights. Just ensure that you keep an eye out on the process and prevent the infestation from happening. Sometimes, if nothing works out, try to accommodate yourself and wait till the flies are ready to fly out of your home without causing a nuisance.

Also read: How to Get Rid of Chiggers from Your Home?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do Cluster Flies Bite?

No, cluster flies don’t bite humans. They are parasitic in their larval stage but only feed on earthworms and not any other animals.

Why Do Cluster Flies Infest Homes?

The primary reason why cluster flies infest homes, especially the attic region, is because of the warmth it provides. Typically, since they hibernate during the winter months, the warmth of the home sounds promising.

Will Cluster Flies Go Away on Their Own?

Cluster flies tend to keep to their own when inside your house. However, they will try to weasel their way out of your home into the outer world during the summer months. So, sometimes, all you have to do is wait it out.

By James Edwards

James Edwards is a writer & editor with almost 15 years of experience from Murphys, California. He earned his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University.

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