Photo credit: MSU Diagnostic Services. Cluster flies do not breed in buildings but leave hibernation sites in the spring (they often swarm onto windows on warm sunny days) to return outdoors for reproduction activity as noted above. They are attracted to buildings because of the heat and odors they may emit. The Calliphoridae (commonly known as blow flies, blow-flies, carrion flies, bluebottles, greenbottles, or cluster flies) are a family of insects in the order Diptera, with 1,200 known species.The maggot larvae, often used as fishing bait, are known as gentles. Cluster flies are thought to be native to Europe and may have found their way to North America in the ballast of ships containing soil and the cluster fly host, earthworms. What Do Cluster Flies Look Like? In general, flies are attracted to organic decaying material. Additionally, cluster flies have golden hairs growing on their body whereas house flies do not. The most common flies home and business owners have issues with are house flies, fruit flies, blow/bottle flies. They also feed on other species including Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus rubellus, and Eisenia lucens genus of earthworms. The larvae use earthworms as a food source.The larvae feed for about 22 days. Young cluster flies (larvae) can dig into the soil in search of small earthworms to eat. They are strictly parasitic on earthworms; the females lay their eggs near earthworm burrows, and the larvae then feed on the worms. You can find cluster flies almost everywhere in the United States and Canada, except for the Southern states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Both male and female flies suck nectar from flowers as well. They are usually the first insects to arrive after an animal dies. Indoor bug sprays can help but you want to avoid using them too often within your living space. They do not transmit disease. Once temperatures climb in the spring months, the fly’s appetite and development return to normal. It’s important to know what flies eat so you can remove conditions that are conducive to fly infestations. Cluster flies can be recognised by their distinctive stripes behind the head, short golden hairs on their thorax and a mottled light/dark grey abdomen. Fly predators will not attack adult flies, thus care must be taken to keep the existing population as low as possible. Feeding habits of flies Adult flies feed and harvest their larvae on organic decaying material. By properly storing and disposing of food and cleaning the areas where food is consumed or prepared, you can greatly reduce the likelihood and severity of a fly infestation. Cluster flies mate during the spring and the females lay each egg in its own soil crevice near an earthworm. If you’ve spotted flies in your home and need help eradicating them, contact Ehrlich Pest Control at 1-800-837-5520 or fill the online form here. In larval stages, cluster flies exhibit a parasitic behaviour. After hatching from eggs the cluster fly larvae find and burrow into the body of an earthworm … They are infamously known for burrowing themselves into their food, which is where they develop. Be aware that cluster flies will release an unpleasant odour and may stain surfaces when squashed. Lifespan of Different Types of Flies and Gnats, How to Get Rid of Gnats Inside and Outside the House, How to Get Rid of Flesh Flies and Keep Them Away. Cluster flies are strictly parasitic on earthworms. don’t jump to the conclusion that you have a dead animal in your house (or rotting garbage, etc.). Cluster flies emit an odor like buckwheat honey when crushed. They are attracted to a variety of substances such as: Fruit Flies are attracted to fermented food and liquid sources, which is why they are so common in homes and the food industry. Cluster flies eat earthworms as they’re in the pupae stage. The cluster fly is a parasite of earthworms and breeds outdoors in lawns and fields during the spring and summer. Ehrlich professional fly control services eradicate fly infestations and prevent future ones in your property. Unlike their relatives, the larvae of cluster flies do not feed on carcasses of dead animals, garbage or manure, and therefore do not contaminate food and are not a health risk. Soil cracks, moist soil cracks, in particular, are where eggs are laid by cluster flies. They do not cause a health concern, because they do not lay their eggs in human food. What Attracts Flies Into Your Home Or Surroundings? Cluster flies are dark gray with a black checkered abdomen. Since they resemble house flies, people often think their presence is a reflection of their housekeeping habits. or fill out your details and we will call you back, https://www.facebook.com/EhrlichPestControl, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ehrlich-pest-control. Because of their sponging mouths, they only feed on liquids, which means they must liquefy food through regurgitation. Physical control. Take control of your pest issues by calling 1-800-837-5520 or contact us online. Just as they become a nuisance in the fall while seeking hibernating quarters, they … Best Fruit Fly Traps – Compare Both Homemade and Store-Bought, How to Get Rid Of Fruit Flies And Keep Them Away, Cluster Flies – Information, Images & How to Get Rid of Them. It will do … Fruit flies search for foods such as: Blow/bottle flies are fairly large flies with metallic blue, green, bronze or black sheen. What they do and what attracts Cluster flies: Cluster flies like to lay their eggs on lawns, areas that have earthworms within the soil. Eggs are laid on damp soil or beneath dead and rotting leaves. The adult flies feed on the nectar of garden and wild flowers. Cluster flies lay eggs in the soil and the larvae will hatch and burrow into the ground where they find earthworms. Cluster flies are dull black and gray with golden hairs on their bodies. After that, they g… Get Rid of Cluster Flies with Chemicals Cluster flies do not breed, feed, or lay eggs inside homes, as do some other common flies. You don’t want to leave a moist area that gives a hospitable environment for cluster flies or any other pests. Again, the best way to avoid cluster flies is to prevent them from entering your building in the first place. Although these insects don’t bite, they’re considered a nuisance because of the volumes in which they migrate into a … Overwintering insects generally stay in secluded areas until the warming and lengthening days of spring pull them from hiding. So, if you see Cluster Flies, in a – you guessed it – cluster (ha!) Clean up clutter so the flies have nowhere to hide.  or contact us. Why are cluster flies a problem? Unlike house flies, cluster flies prefer to lay eggs in the soil. The cluster fly larvae are parasitic on earthworms and will pupate in the soil, emerging as adults ready to find shelter for the winter. These flies prefer: For more information on how to get rid of flies, here are some tips on how to keep flies away from your home or business. Make sure you don’t leave food out that the cluster flies eat as well. Description. Adult cluster flies feed on flower nectar and plant sap, fruit, flowers, and other types of organic matter. They enter through cracks and crevices. They’re not interested in human food (or waste), so you shouldn’t worry about throwing foods out because they may be contaminated. Cluster Flies feed on much safer organic matter such as sap, honey dew, plant nectar and other mostly harmless things. We recommend using at least one fly trap and perhaps even baits. Let’s take a look at the best product available in this category: 4. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference. Those might be cluster flies. Maggot hatchlings then seek an earthworm host. After fall, the best you can do is suck up cluster flies with a small handheld vacuum cleaner. Because that is not what Cluster Flies eat. You can easily tell the two apart by the metallic sheen of a bottle fly vs. the dull colors and yellowish thoraxial hairs of the cluster fly. Do Flies Sleep? Cluster flies lay eggs in soil cracks, particularly moist soil cracks. But all too often, overwintering cluster flies are drawn into the warmth of the home's interior, finding passage through cracks a… The adults on the other hand feed on nectar and plant sap, fruits, flowers, and several forms of organic matter. Are seeing flies in your home during the late fall and winter? Another ways to get rid of cluster flies is to use the Repellents. If a quick-knockdown is required, avoid spraying near the breeding sites where beneficial insects are active. This includes, fruit, vegetables, meat, animal, plant secretions and human feces. Cluster flies may not be truly eliminated as some may remain hidden, avoiding treatment. Cluster fly adult. Why do I … House flies often grow no larger than ¼ of an inch long, while cluster flies grow to be twice as large, measuring ½ of an inch long. The cluster fly larvae infest worms and live off of their hosts in a parasitic relationship until they reach adulthood. 1) are slightly larger than the common house fly, Musca domestica . 1-800-837-5520 Call us for a free quote at House flies are general feeders, which mean they will eat everything from food to animal and human fecal matter. Cluster Fly Repellents to Repel cluster flies away. Parasitic behavior is exhibited by cluster flies in the larval stages. Take away sweets. Although often confused at first glance with the standard house fly, cluster flies are actually considered less dangerous to humans because they do not lay eggs in human food. Adult cluster flies (Fig. Cluster Flies vs House Flies. This includes, fruit, vegetables, meat, animal, plant secretions and human feces. Repel Permethrin Clothing & Gear Insect Repellent Aerosol Cream coloured and shaped like an elongated wedge, cluster fly larvae feed on live earthworms for about 13 to 22 days before advancing to the pupal stage, which also takes place in the soil. A milder pyrethrum based spray is effective and widely available. However, cluster flies also bother the animals themselves, so you would want to get them away. Cluster flies are generally just considered a nuisance when they decide to move into your house in the fall. In case there is no flower nectar or plant juice in sight, cluster flies will look for organic matter that has started to decompose to feed on. In absence of it, they feed on the decomposing organic matter. Like many other species of fly, cluster flies love decaying food and are more attracted to food with high sugar composition. If you do not see a reduction, repeat step 1 after 30 days. 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