Dealing with a fly buzzing around is always really annoying. Flies are one of the most irritating pests and sometimes seem nearly impossible to get with a fly swatter no matter how hard you try. No-fly is fun to have around your property, and there are many different species of flies in Hudson Valley that you might encounter.

Cluster Fly

One common fly species in the area is the cluster fly. This species is about 3/8th of an inch long and slightly larger than the common housefly. Luckily, they are also slower and more sluggish than the housefly making them somewhat easier to catch. Cluster flies are a gray color with short, golden hairs that cover their thoraxes.

Handling a fly infestation is stressful, so we’ve provided a guide to these nuisance pests to help you identify, prevent, and control them.

Are Cluster Flies Dangerous?

Pretty much any fly that you encounter around your home or business can be obnoxious, but the worst part about species like the housefly is that they can also spread diseases. The cluster fly, however, is not known to pose any health concerns for humans. They don’t spread illnesses or cause allergic reactions, but you will still want to throw out any food they land on just to be safe.

While cluster flies aren’t considered harmful, they are an invasive pest that can be hard to control. While houseflies are more dangerous, they usually only enter a property one by one. Cluster flies, on the other hand, will gather together in large numbers and can reproduce quickly. This can lead to an out-of-control fly problem that no one wants to deal with.

How Do Homes Get Cluster Flies?

Similar to many other pest species, cluster flies can get inside by crawling through small cracks around the walls of your home or business. They tend to congregate near windows and light fixtures as they prefer warmth. While more common in the summer and fall, they will also come indoors to find shelter over the winter. In some cases, if the infestation is large enough, their droppings can even darken windows.

While slipping through small holes is a common way cluster flies get inside, they can even enter through electrical outlets and baseboards, and they will overwinter in places like attics and walls.

Because cluster flies are such a frustrating nuisance pest, it is important to take steps to prevent them before they ever, quite literally, darken your doorstep. Here are a few of the best prevention tips:

The main way to keep cluster flies out is to focus on sealing up the cracks in the walls around the exterior of the building. Make sure to use materials such as caulk and foam insulation.
You can also repair broken screens in doors and windows, but this isn’t always completely effective as these flies are quite good at finding extremely small areas to slip through.
Getting professional pest control help is the only efficient and effective way to prevent these pests.

Get Help With Cluster Fly Problems

The best way to keep cluster flies, and other fly species, out of your home or business is with help from the experts at Pestmaster® Services. Our skilled technicians can remove a cluster fly infestation and also provide ongoing prevention assistance.

With over 40+ years of experience in the Hudson Valley area, we are committed to high-quality, eco-friendly residential and commercial pest control solutions. To get started with our fly control services, give us a call today, or request a free quote online.