Cluster Flies are quite Pestering

We’ve had a bit of a fall warming spell this week and the warmth has brought out pestering cluster flies. Cluster flies (Pollenia rudis) are slightly larger than the common house fly and they typically make their appearance on warm fall days or when the weather begins to warm up in the spring.

Cluster flies are attracted to the sunny (warm) side of houses in the fall looking for a protective environment for the winter months. The cluster flies enter into your home through small cracks, holes and openings in the siding. Once the weather warms the flies become active and try to leave the house, flying around gathering on windows and light fixtures.

The good news is that cluster flies do not reproduce in the house house. They are also not interested in food as they actually live off of earthworms outside. The bad news is it’s really hard to keep these pests out of your house. Especially with today’s houses designed for proper ventilation into attic spaces.

We’ve been “terminating” the cluster flies with our cool bug zapper. As you can see in the photo the bug zapper is a really cool “tennis racket” type device that you can “electrocute” bugs with. You push a button and the metal paddle becomes energized, when you touch a fly it get’s zapped dead!

The bug zapper is certainly a great fly swatter and it creates some interesting fun with kids and friends. So if you’re house has become overrun with cluster flies try to relax and deal with them. Feel assured that these are not house flies that are eating food and laying eggs in your home.