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DITCHLING CORPORATION LIMITED
"Supplying professional Pest Control products since 1964"
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DITCHLING CORPORATION LIMITED
"Supplying professional Pest Control products since 1964"
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The CLUSTER FLY (Pollenia Rudis) is common throughout Ontario and the rest of North America. The flies enter houses and other buildings from early September through November looking for a place to spend the winter. Their name comes from their habit of clustering on outside walls and windows on sunny days in September. They congregate in attics, especially on the southwest side, in schools, churches and various other buildings. They are a greater problem in rural and suburban homes. CLUSTER FLIES that gain entrance to the house may enter various rooms on sunny days from fall to early April, even on very cold days.
Description
CLUSTER FLIES vary in size but most will be slightly larger than Houseflies and are dark grey. The wings overlap at the tip when not in use. They are more readily identified by their habits. They come into buildings in the fall and leave by mid-April. In the home they buzz up and down at the windows apparently trying to get out. Many fall on their back on the window sill or floor , spin around and, in time, die. At night they buzz back and forth against the lights.
Dead CLUSTER FLIES may accumulate between the windows, in walls and in the attic. The dead flies are food for LARDER BEETLES and their larvae.
Development
The CLUSTER FLY develops as a parasite of certain species of Earthworms.
They do not appear as a result of farm operations, manure piles or garbage. They are most numerous in rural homes because of the large areas that support Earthworms.
The adults leave the lawns, gardens and fields in September to fly to protected areas such as buildings, fence posts, debris and stones.
Winter mortality is very high. In April and May they return to the fields and gardens to lay eggs in the cracks in the soil. On hatching, the larvae penetrate Earthworms. They develop through the larval and pupal stages to the adults. There are several generations in a season.
Damage
Neither the adults nor their larvae cause direct damage. They do not carry disease, mainly because they do not walk across the table and food as do Houseflies. However, their presence and buzzing as they fly around windows is exasperating. The buzzing at reading lamps at night is also very annoying.
LARDER BEETLES and CARPET BEETLES are likely to be present in houses that have a CLUSTER FLY problem.
The CLUSTER FLY is considered to be one of the problems of rural living.
Control
In many cases, the most that can be done is to reduce the numbers. In cottages and newer homes it may be possible to keep out most of them by caulking all cracks and crevices. Where window screens do not fit tightly they can be taped to the frame on the inside to close the gaps.
Outside
Spraying outside and around the house may be helpful, but treatment must be timed. When temperatures cool, CLUSTER FLIES seek out hibernation sites.
Inside
Control inside the house can be complicated; aerosol, dust and residual spray formulations may be used. Collect the dead Flies in the window with a vacuum cleaner.
Cluster Fly Traps have been found to be useful for indoor use, as have "Time Mist" installations with appropriate AEROSOL; but the hibernation sites must be found, and treated, for effective control.
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INSECTICIDES
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