How to get rid of cluster flies

Cluster flies, or attic flies, are large black flies and similar in size, shape and behavior to the blowfly. Larger and slower than house flies cluster flies can be a nuisance around homes, often getting inside and laying eggs. This  causes cluster flies  to keep coming back just when you think you may have gotten rid of them.

Western Exterminator is the expert in fly control. We know that flies in homes and anywhere in a business can give the appearance of the property being unclean. We can help you get rid of cluster flies and offer services to ensure they do not come back. Contact your local Western Exterminator office today.

What is a cluster fly?

Cluster flies are part of the Pollenia genus of flies, which are, in turn, part of the Calliphoridae family. They are hairy flies, usually black in color, but may have other colors and markings on their bodies. In fact, many times they separate themselves from more traditional blowflies or house flies by having stripes just behind their heads.

You may see cluster flies in your home when the weather gets warm although  sometimes they appear in winter. That's because they get inside and lay eggs, which then hatch when the house warms up. If the heater kicks on during the winter months, the eggs will also hatch.

Are cluster flies dangerous?

Houseflies and blowflies are risky to cooking surfaces because of the nature of what they like to land on and you might think cluster flies pose the same risk. When you see so many of these large, slow-moving flies you might think there is something rotten, or they are contaminating the same places.

The good news is, this is not the case. Yes, cluster flies are annoying when they start slowly buzzing around your head, but they are not considered dirty or a risk. Cluster flies are parasitic in nature, laying eggs in earthworm burrows so the larvae that hatch can feed on the worms. They do not lay eggs in human food and tend not to frequent rotting food or dead animals.

Getting rid of cluster flies

Once cluster flies get into your home, there is not much you can do but try to trap them or kill them. It's the eggs you need to worry about and then you need to work to prevent cluster flies from returning.

Some of the things you can do to get rid of cluster flies and stop them from coming back include:

• Vacuuming - home and property owners who make sure to keep their carpets and floors clean can vacuum up the flies themselves, but also any larvae or eggs present.
• Getting rid of debris around the yard - cluster flies in winter are often found on the sides of buildings or within wooden structures around the yard. If you have any old or abandoned buildings on your property, or debris and junk in your yard, you may have a place where cluster flies will breed.
• Sealing up the house - cluster flies like to lay eggs in attics and between the walls. Make sure the roof shingles are in good order and replace any that are broken. Seal up holes around your home and make sure windows have screens and that the screens are free of holes.
• Seal up food - particularly sweets. Cluster flies will land on food and they love sweet things. If you seal these things up you can keep flies away.
• Get rid of standing water - because cluster flies love to land in still water in order to survive. Doing this also keeps away mosquitoes, by the way, so any standing water around your property is good to get rid of.

Contact Western Exterminator for cluster flies

Western Exterminator specialists know the difference between blowflies, house flies and cluster flies. We know where they get in and where these flies like to hide. Our trained specialists can track down the places the cluster flies are hiding and where they may have laid eggs. We offer treatment programs to get rid of cluster flies inside your home and property. We also can provide you with solutions you can consider to prevent flies from coming back.

If you are dealing with too many cluster flies around your home, contact your local Western Exterminator office. We will do a property inspection and offer you the cluster fly removal solutions to get rid of the pests during all life stages and prevent their return.