Whether they are fruit, cluster or house flies, we can all agree on one thing: they are a real pest and need to be got rid of.
Identifying the true species of flies in your house, knowing how to manage them and your prevention and control, is important. And if in doubt, call in a pest control specialist who can offer information and advice.
In August and much of late summer, fruit and cluster flies are the most common flies that you will find in your home.
Cluster Flies v Fruit Flies
Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are large and black and are very similar to house flies. It can be difficult to spot the difference between them because they tend to fly away as soon as you get near.
However, if you can get close or you spot any dead flies, have a close look before disposing of them. Cluster flies have yellowish golden hairs on their thorax and a prominent dark and light coloured chequered pattern on their abdomen.
Cluster flies tend to be slow and sluggish and they usually come as part of a swarm of flies. You rarely have just a few cluster flies in your home. The chances are that if you see one, there is an infestation somewhere in your home (they like warm, quiet locations such as attics and lofts).
At this time of year, and moving into Autumn, cluster flies are looking for somewhere to call home to hibernate once the colder weather comes in.
Cluster flies look for rubbish, waste and excrement to lay eggs on. This is where they differ from fruit flies. If you live in the countryside you are more likely to find cluster flies in your home thanks to livestock, silage and agricultural fertiliser, but those in towns also have the potential to find these unwanted visitors in their homes.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are very small and they’re often to be spotted flying around your bin or fruit bowl. As their name suggests, they seek out over-ripe or rotting fruit to lay their eggs on. They also find the fermenting sugars on mouldy vegetables irresistible…
If you have fruit flies in your kitchen, first find out where they are breeding and get rid of whatever it is that is attracting them. Likely culprits include ageing produce in the fruit bowl or potatoes and onions festering in the back of food cupboards.
Fruit ripens faster in the hot weather, which is why you are more likely to have fruit fly visitations in the summer months. To discourage them from returning, refrigerate as much fresh produce as possible in the fridge. Also check there are no fruit juice spills that have seeped under cabinets as these can keep 1000 fruit flies going.
How to get rid of flies in the house
Find the source
Check lofts, cupboards and other warm spaces for cluster flies. They will be obvious as they swarm but fly slowly and sluggishly. Fruit fries are not exclusive to fruit alone. The source of an infestation can also be found in other products too, such as an overlooked bag of potatoes or a forgotten onion in a cupboard.
Empty your bins
We usually wait until they are full, but it’s a good idea to clean them daily during the summer. In particular, compost bins and any other bin containing food waste should be cleaned regularly. By emptying and wiping them down every day, you will reduce fly breeding grounds and unpleasant kitchen smells. This way, you’ll diminish the risk of other pests, as well.
Wash and refrigerate ripe fruit
Often, fruit flies enter your home through the fruit you buy. So, as soon as you bring fruit home, or collect it from the garden, wash it. Alternatively, you can store it in a clean fruit bowl or a container with an airtight seal, so it can be kept in the refrigerator.
Set a fly trap
If any of these insects are still buzzing around your kitchen, you’ll need to set a trap to get rid of them entirely after cleaning your kitchen and removing any possible breeding grounds.
Fill a few small containers with apple cider vinegar, a little washing-up liquid, and some ripe chopped fruit, like grapes or bananas. Cover the containers with cling film and poke a few holes in them with a toothpick.
Lemongrass essential oil also works really well as a deterrent. Add it to water and spray on your surfaces to put off fruit flies from landing there.
Cluster flies
Cluster flies can enter your home or property through even the smallest of cracks and openings. These tend to be around door and window frames or through other tiny unsealed gaps.
Spend some time doing a thorough search around your property so you can identify and fill any cracks and crevices in walls, window or door frames. Caulking works very well for this purpose.
If you know you’re prone to getting cluster flies, try to remember to keep windows and doors closed in the autumn because this is when they start looking for somewhere warm to hibernate.
Are you dealing with a pest infestation?
You don’t have to be alone in the battle against pests. We are experts in fumigating properties with fly infestations, but we can also just offer advice if that’s what you need.
Call us
If you would like advice or support with house, cluster or fruit flies, don’t hesitate to call or message Jeremy on 07766083234 or contact us on Facebook.
Photo by Kaj Kullberg on Unsplash
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