When it’s cold outside, it can get cozy at your home or office. It’s not just rats and other pests that try to stay warm when temperatures drop, flies do too! In this blog, we are mainly talking about kluster flies. This fly species owes its name to the fact that it swarms around together with a large number of other birds. In small numbers they are annoying, but in large numbers they can cause a real cluster fly infestation. In this article you can read what you can do!
Kluster flies: what kind of fly is this?
Klustervlieg is the name given to a number of fly species that swarm in swarms or clusters in spring, autumn and autumn. In total, there are three different kluster flies active in the Netherlands, namely: the kluster fly, the autumn fly and the grass fly. A cluster fly is about 8 millimeters in size, while the autumn fly is 6 to 7 millimeters in size. The grass fly is the smallest of the three, as they are 3 millimeters in size.
Kluster flies: how they form
Although their way of life differs, they also have similarities. They all develop outdoors in pastures and grasslands, and their numbers are determined by climatic conditions. The warmer and drier, the more cluster flies you will find.
Adult females lay eggs on moist soil and they hatch after about a week. The life cycle of the different cluster flies depends on the weather. Two generations per year is normal, but in a hot summer this can increase to four generations.
Kluster fly infestation: when does it occur?
During the hot summer days and in the beginning of autumn, you will mainly encounter kluster flies outside. Indoors, they won’t cause any nuisance. But as soon as it gets colder outside, they seek shelter in nooks and crannies of houses and office buildings. As winter progresses, they seek even more protection and can form huge clusters of up to thousands of flies.
Although the flies are always in groups, they do not have to be a nuisance. If there is no timely and adequate intervention with protection measures or control, a real plague can develop. It is only when they invade buildings in large numbers that there is really a cluster fly infestation. And then it’s time to call in a professional pest controller!
In which buildings does the kluster fly like to sit?
As mentioned, the kluster fly likes to sit in houses and office buildings in cold temperatures. The special thing about this fly species is that they even occur repeatedly in the same buildings. No one really knows why that is. High-altitude properties are particularly preferred.
How to get rid of handyman flies: what you can do yourself
To prevent a kluster fly infestation, you can do something yourself! To make it difficult to fly with the help of the birds, keep windows and doors closed. Unfortunately, this does not give a complete guarantee. Kluster flies can also enter your house or building through roof tiles.
Of course, you also need fresh air and so you want to be able to open your window. You can also do something else to prevent a kluster fly infestation. Place near your windows, and if possible also doors, mosquito netting. Kluster flies cannot enter your house or building through the mosquito netting. Of course, this does not give a guarantee. When entering your home, the kluster fly can of course always go inside with you.
In addition to closing doors and windows and installing mosquito netting, fly swatters, glue traps, electric insect catchers or spray cans can also help you. Finally, it is also recommended to avoid the vegetation of climbing plants against the walls of your home. Grass flies love this!
Fighting kluster flies by Van der Velden
As a pest controller, we have been specialized in fighting kluster flies for many years. With our approach, we can solve a kluster fly infestation for you. We use special pesticides to prevent the further spread of the pest and nip it in the bud. Engage us? Request a quote here!
Want to know more about fighting kluster flies? Get in touch with Van der Velde!
Want to know more about how to control a kluster fly infestation? Get in touch with Van der Velden! Do you suffer from kluster flies at home? And do you want to have it combated by a professional company? Please contact Van der Velden Pest Control! We have years of experience in pest control and can therefore also help you control overwintering flies. Call Van der Velden Pest Control directly, 085 – 029 0760! We can help you directly on the phone. You can also reach us by e-mail at info@bestrijdingsdienst.nl.
