How Long Do Cluster Flies Last in Your Home?
WouterDepending on where you live, cluster flies can persist in your home for years if you don’t deal with them immediately. They can be a nuisance, but once you identify them, they’re easy to get rid of. Cluster flies are small, 8mm-long insects with gold hair on their backs and long wings. They first appear in spring and begin to lay eggs outdoors before settling in indoors near winter. To kill them, you can use a vacuum cleaner or an aerosol fly killer. You can also hire a professional to use smoke bombs or foggers.
If you notice cluster flies in your home, the first step is to get rid of the breeding grounds. If the cluster flies are attracted to sweets or decomposing food, you can apply a contact pyrethrum spray. If you’re unable to get rid of the breeding grounds, you can spray the exterior of your home with a commercial product.
You can also get rid of cluster flies by preventing them from entering your property. To avoid attracting these insects, seal up gaps, cracks, and soffits. Also, remove standing water. The best way to prevent cluster flies from laying eggs in your home is to seal them up.
While cluster flies are not biting insects, their presence indoors can cause a lot of inconvenience. In wintertime, they migrate indoors to hibernate in the walls. While indoors, they can leave dark excrement on windows and walls. They can also attract stored product insects called larder beetles.
