The Cluster Fly

Fly Pest Control in Taunton, Somerset and Devon. Our Fly control call out service offers professional, discreet solutions to solve your Fly problem quickly, effectively and at a very competitive price. Call us now for a no obligation quote or if you would like to know more about Cluster Flies and what we do read on.

Biology

The larva (maggot) lives as a parasite of the earthworm Allolobophora chlorotica. The adults lay eggs on the open ground which after about a week hatch. The newly hatched larva hunt out finds the earthworm and bores into it slowly developing inside it devours the earth worm and eventually pops out of the earthworm and pupates. As the now young adults emerge from the pupa they can often be seen sunbathing on south facing walls and fences.

With the onset of Autumn the adults try to enter buildings to over winter and can gather in there thousands in lofts,roofs, upper bedrooms and window casements. When the weather is cold little or no activity can be seen, but on warm sunny winter days they become more active and gather on sunny spots again to sun themselves. In most years there are two generations but when summers are long and warm there can be four. Weather plays a large role in when the flies start to seek out a place to overwinter and again some years it can be as late as December.

A large fly up to 10mm in length, very “Furry” in appearance with obvious golden hairs on its thorax (tail end).

The Green Cluster fly in appearance is much like the Green Bottle Fly, and the Yellow Swarming Fly is a small fly much like a Gnat. Little is known about either of these flies.

Treatment

All cases of Cluster fly are different and may need various types of treatment depending on the circumstances, a typical treatment would involve filling the roof void with an insecticide either in a smoke form or as a fog. This will kill the adults which are resident at the time of treatment. There are other factors involved why not give us a call and have a chat about your possible requirements.

Significance and Economic Importance

The cluster fly is obviously named because of its habit of forming compact clusters this effects mainly upper rooms which are normally bedrooms and their presence in large numbers can be very disturbing. This is bad enough for private residences but also very bad for business particularly if it is a hotel or any area where guests stay.

The presence of Cluster flies and large numbers of both living and dead flies can also be very off putting for potential house buyers if activity is noted at the time of viewing.

They do not damage buildings except for causing staining in the areas in which they cluster. As the flies do not feed on fecal matter and are not interested in Human food sources they do not present the same health risks as other flies.

In one case we dealt with we were asked to investigate a loft as the client who had just moved into the house was convinced that the flies were coming from a body which had been wrapped in a carpet which she had seen on opening the loft hatch! Of course we discovered the carpet was empty and it was Cluster fly after all!

We use only the latest tried, tested and approved pesticides.

The Safety of our Commercial customers and their environment are our number one priority.

We will explain fully any treatment we have carried out and any precautions you need to take, if you require more than one treatment you will be given a 24 hour telephone number, if in any way you are concerned you can call us. We are with you every step of the way.