A Guide on How to Get Rid of Cluster Flies Naturally
Once winter is around the corner, you will need some tricks on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally without taking much time or effort.
Cluster flies tend to come to your home all of a sudden in a large number.
More annoyingly, they like to hoard on your windows as they are genetically incapable to fly out an open window like their cousins.
Then, how should you do to manage cluster flies? What are the secrets to put off their return to your dwelling? Is it possible to control these pests naturally?
A Brief Introduction to Cluster Flies
It is important to know further about these species before finding out some best methods on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally.
In addition to cluster flies (Pollenia), their common names also include ‘Attic Flies’ and ‘Grass Flies’.
Furthermore, they are a part of the Blow Flies family and typically head indoors when outdoor temperatures go down.
Cluster flies will look for the highest parts of your home as soon as they get inside. The attic is commonly the ideal space they head into.
During winter days, particularly when the sun shines, cluster flies will come out of hiding to warm up. This is when they attempt to exit but end up clustering around your windows.
What are cluster flies and how do they look like?
To know how to get rid of cluster flies naturally, you should be able to identify them properly as their appearance is comparable to other species.
Due to their similar look to House Flies, many people often mistake them for their cousins. They are around 1/3 to 2/5 inches in length and come in a dark grey color.
Different from their cousins, cluster flies have golden hairs on their bodies. There is also a noticeable dark and light checkered pattern along their abdomen.
This pattern is dissimilar to the striped ones at the back of their heads. Similar to Blowflies, they produce larvae that appear like small, whitish worms.
What are their habits and what do cluster flies eat to survive?
When learning some tips on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally, you can confirm that these insects generally do not pose health issues to both humans and pets.
The main reason is that they only eat earthworms in the pupae stage and have no interest in your food or waste.
Once they turn into adults, cluster flies may feed on flowering plants.
As they live outdoors near to the ground level, these insects will eat fruits, plant sap, or other organic materials as well.
In the soil is where the grown-up females of cluster flies set their eggs. The location is typically near to the tunnels of earthworms, making it possible for them to hunt the worms.
Where do cluster flies come from and where do they live?
By knowing where they usually live, any method on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally should be easier to tackle.
Cluster flies come from outdoors and get into your home for its warmer temperature. They do not carry transmittable diseases and generally have no risk of structural harm to the property.
Mostly, you will come across cluster flies in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. They live in crevices, voids, and cracks.
You can find them hiding underneath clothing in closets, behind curtains, and at the back of picture frames when invading your home.
Cluster flies typically live between one to two months only.
However, they seem to exist for a long time because they tend to hibernate when the temperature drops under 12 degrees Celsius.
How to Get Rid of Cluster Flies Naturally and Say Goodbye to Them
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In general, cluster flies are somewhat risk-free. The species do not bite you or your pets. These pests will not spread bacteria or lay eggs in food as well.
It is safe to say that cluster flies do not cause health issues when invading your home. However, they are still such a nuisance indoors.
The way they amass your windows will encourage you to find some good methods on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally.
1. Vacuum or sweep flies
If you notice dead cluster flies inside your home, vacuum or sweep them up immediately. This will help avoid other pests from coming to your home.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner to suck up live cluster flies that wandering around your doors, windows, or other locations.
Although it cannot eliminate the problem, this method is pretty ideal to diminish the population of these overwintering pests.
Similar to some other tricks on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally, you may need to do this method continuously.
By vacuuming your house regularly, you can prevent cluster flies from inhabiting new locations inside your home.
2. Use sprays to form a protecting ‘wall’
A plant-based insecticide makes a good solution to keep cluster flies at bay. You can simply spray the solution to the perimeter of your yard to do so.
This insecticide spray typically kills cluster flies on contact while developing a protective barrier that can repel pests.
It must be great if you know how to get rid of cluster flies naturally by using residual spews. They can linger and stay behind to avoid future colonies entering your home.
The best time to apply the sprays is at the end of summer. However, you can also consider doing so early fall to anticipate the coming of cluster flies from seeking warmness.
There are also spray products that you can apply directly to the soil. They work by stopping cluster flies from laying their eggs and minimize their populations.
3. Utilize light traps and zappers
Since cluster flies have an interest in heat and light, using bug zappers works well against them. These critters will fly up to the bulb and get electrocuted.
It is a safe and affordable method on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally that also gives such great results without harming humans or pets.
Aside from zappers, you can also try light traps that feature sticky cardboard instead of electrocuting ability.
However, it is necessary to replace the strips occasionally and wash off any fur that is stuck on them.
4. Grow carnivorous plants
Carnivorous plants attract a huge range of insects, including gnats to flies. You do not have to spare time for cleaning since they can disband carcasses.
It becomes one of the most favorite methods on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally as a cross between houseplants and pets.
You can take advantage of Venus flytraps or Pitcher plants for your cluster fly removal project.
5. Create a DIY cluster fly trap
If you want to use something available around the house, building a simple DIY trap with a bottle or canning jar must be perfect.
First, find an unused mason or canning jar. Then, make a mixture of water and sugar in the same amount as the solution on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally.
Second, pour the mixture into the jar and leave it to work as a lure for your trap. You can put it whenever you notice cluster fly activity.
After that, take advantage of the perforated lid and enclose it a bit so that cluster flies can get into the jar. Once go in, they typically cannot get out.
Consider using a colored jar to conceal the trap since will not want to see the trapped flies in this container.
6. How to get rid of cluster flies with bleach
You should not overlook bleach when it comes to eliminating cluster flies because this solution will work upon contact. Besides, this home remedy can be your trash cans’ buddy too.
Discharging bleach that is enough to bathe everything beneath the garbage containers is everything you need to do here.
7. Clean cans with vinegar
When it comes to tricks on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally, vinegar is not that helpful to kill these insects unless they drown in this solution.
However, people typically use vinegar as a cleaning agent around garbage dumpsters or filthy trash cans.
You can do it by soaking up the debris beneath your trash can and leave it for about 24 hours. If you think there are cluster flies, pour more and let it sit longer.
After that, allow the vinegar to drain out or simply take advantage of direct sunlight to dry it.
8. Using fly strips as a trick on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally
If you find a location with a lot of cluster flies, using sticky fly strips can be a good solution to deal with the problems.
Since cluster flies are highly slow-moving and are not that genius, they will get stuck on the strips, making it an ideal method to eliminate them naturally.
You can purchase fly strips in a roll and stick them to any surface that is typically in contact with the flies. Consider sticking them around doors, windows, and even kitchen cabinets.
This method on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally will serve as a monitoring tool while decreasing the population of the insects.
9. Destroy the breeding areas
Although they are slow, cluster flies will still try to roam away from the locations you are cleaning. Thus, you should vacuum properly to make sure they do not getaway.
In case there is no shop vac at home, you can take advantage of proper attachment to your standard vacuum as a trick on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally.
Once you destroy the breeding areas, make sure to maintain your house clean and seal any crack properly. This way you will wipe not only the current generation out but also the future cluster flies.
How to Stop Cluster Flies Returning for Your Future Comfort
To make sure you do not have the same cluster fly issue in the future, it is important to implement some preventive measures.
Sealing any possible entry points can be a good start as this can make it harder for cluster flies to get into your home freely.
Check your attic and building foundation for potential cracks, holes, or voids that allow cluster flies from entering your home.
Get a good quality caulk to seal any crack and gap you find around the house as a preventive method on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally. And you could read 7+ Terrific Tips How to Get Rid of Ghost Ants In Your Home
If there are bigger gaps that you cannot seal with caulk, simply use basic housing insulation as the substitute. Take the spray foam type to fill up the cracks easily.
Besides, you can do the following tips too.
Cleanse drainage and gutter systems
Cluster flies will look for water to survive aside from the occasional meal. Check around to find stagnant, standing water as this can be the source to drink from.
You should examine if there are spots in your garden that are notably softer than the neighboring areas as well.
When this spot dries and forms a crack, it will be an ideal location for cluster flies to lay their eggs. Therefore, you must prevent this by filling the fracture or mulch your soil.
Fix all screening
As a technique on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally and keep them away, you should check your window screening and patio doors for little tears too.
Since they are simple to repair and inexpensive to replace, make sure to fix this problem as soon as possible. Keep in mind that cluster flies can effortlessly discover these gaps and enter your home.
Check around your property
If you have a basement and this space is frequently moist, take a drainage line or sump pump that will help to remove extra dampness.
Using an affordable dehumidifier can be an ideal alternative too.
Aside from the above-mentioned places, you should also check other locations such as fountains, septic systems, ponds, basement drains, eaves, and drain pipes since they are prone to drainage issues.
In case you use pest control products during the cluster fly removal or prevention project, make sure to follow the directions on the labels carefully, including information on the proper disposal and storage.
Finally, you have known some tricks on how to get rid of cluster flies naturally and the secrets to keep these insects away. Hope the guides help you!
