How To Get Rid Of Cluster Flies

Cluster flies, also known as attic flies, are a species of flies that are found in most homes and are often a nuisance because they enter homes in droves. They like to gather around lights and in the cracks and corners of unused rooms. Although these flies do not pose a health hazard, they can really be bothersome, especially because they are larger than your typical houseflies. Having swarms of these flies around the house also often produces a distinctive smell that no homeowner would want around his house.

When to Expect Cluster Fly Swarms

Cluster flies thrive outdoors during the summer. It is only during the winter that they start to look for indoor spaces where they can stay warm. They often seek shelter in the nooks and crannies of attic eaves and old, spacious ceilings. This is the reason why swarms of flies are seen in most roof spaces, lofts, and garages.

How to Control Cluster Flies

It is important to remember that you cannot control the population of cluster flies outdoors. This is their natural habitat and there simply is no way to control them when they are outside. The only thing you can do is prevent the flies from making their homes inside your ceilings or attics. You can do this by installing screens around the house. However, screening alone will not give you any results, since flies are notorious for their ability to fly through the tiniest cracks in the windows and walls. You need to seal in these cracks and make sure that spaces between doors and windows are sealed shut as well. Replace missing bricks or boards, if there are any.

When indoors, it is easier to use insecticides to remove annoying flies. If you are wary about the potential toxicity of these flies, you can use fly strips to trap flies. There are natural alternatives as well, including wine mixed with detergent. Most flies love wine and your unwelcome visitors will be drawn to the wine, but will be poisoned by the detergent. You can also grow basil and mint, natural fly repellants, around the house, or bring pots of these plants indoors. A can of commercial insect repellent can be handy if you find cluster flies hibernating in closets and other areas of the house. You can vacuum the flies afterwards.

For severe problems, you may need the help of professional pest exterminators. You can look up professional exterminators in your area and see if they accept problems such as these. It is best to have them treat the outdoor west and south walls of your house, especially near the eaves. The best time to do the treatment would be mid to late August.

Preventive maintenance is important in ensuring that no swarms visit your home throughout the year. Do annual checks to search for any gaps or holes around your home. Check sealed holes to see if they have been opened. This is very important since these flies tend to return to the same entry spots repeatedly.