Key Features:
These are dark greyish flies about 8mm long with yellowish hairs on the back and with overlapping wings.

Biology:
Cluster fly females lay their eggs singly in cracks in the soil; the larvae emerge in three days and begin to seek out their food source: earthworms. After burrowing into the earthworm, the larvae feed for about three weeks before pupating. The adult Cluster Fly emerges from its pupa after 12 to 14 days. The adult flies (of which there 3 to 4 generations per year) feed on flowers.

Distribution:
In autumn they congregate in large numbers in upper rooms or roof spaces of houses to hibernate. The larvae of one species are parasitic upon certain earthworms, so this species is more common in rural areas.

Significance:
A mass of cluster flies has a characteristic smell. They are sluggish in flight and are a nuisance in the house.

Control:
Once cluster flies have found their way into buildings to hibernate they can be difficult to control, due to their fondness for inaccessible space. It is important to seal as many openings as possible to stop flies from entering the building.

Infestations can be controlled through surface sprays and specialist crack and crevice treatments.

If you have a problem with cluster flies, Safeguard can help you! Contact us today for more information.