Attic flies which are also known as cluster flies are insects that often migrate into homes in the fall where they hibernate for the cooler fall and winter months.
Flies in attic uk.
The grass flies or cluster flies or attic flies are the genus pollenia in the family polleniidae are completely harmless to human health.
Light and dark gray checkered abdomens.
Unlike more familiar blow flies such as the bluebottle genus phormia they do not present a health hazard because they do not lay eggs in human food.
Cluster flies are common in the loft and attic spaces of homes and business premises.
They require warm places to hibernate over winter.
Cluster flies then re emerge around late winter spring time when they can become a problem again.
A large gathering of flies in your loft space attic or wall voids particularly in autumn is likely to be cluster flies.
The anomaly is that cluster flies may try to get into one house but may stay clear of a neighbouring house even if it is a pair of semi detached properties.
Cluster flies are often known also as attic flies.
These are not the same as the blue bottles that buzz hard against the windows in the warmer weather or the house flies and smaller flies that are active in summer too.
The females lay their eggs near earthworm burrows and the larvae then feed on the worms.
Common cluster flies polleniarudis are large and black and look very similar to house flies so can easily be mistaken for them.
You may see a large group of cluster flies around a window as they are attracted to the light on sunny winter days.
Cluster flies facts identification control latin name.
Appearance what do they look like.
Naturally your house is warmer.
They are strictly parasitic on earthworms.
The thorax of an adult cluster fly is covered in short golden hairs and the wings overlap when at rest.
Thus the common name they have of attic flies.
Cluster flies seek refuge in cold weather and find their way into attic spaces and similar areas indoors.
Flies that gather in roofs around windows and on walls inside in the autumn and winter are called cluster flies also known as attic flies.
Adults measure 8 to 10 millimeters.
Cluster fly image licensed under cc.
Cluster or attic flies are the genus pollenia in the blowfly family calliphoridae.
Cluster flies also known as attic flies are household pests.
Cluster flies are commonly found in quiet undisturbed parts of your home such as attics and wall voids.
And the easiest entrance is usually through external gaps leading to your attic.
One of the best tips for getting rid of attic flies is to keep them from entering the house in the first place as trying to eliminate them after they are in hibernation can be difficult.
The warmth generated here means that flies are naturally drawn into these cavities and voids particularly during the months of october and november where they congregate in groups or clusters.
By instinct they seek shelter away from the elements such as in the fall when it gets cold.
