Cluster Flies Behind The Siding

Once inside cluster flies will hide and are usually not seen by people.

Cluster flies behind the siding.

Using a crusader you can puff small amounts up under the exterior siding into any cracks or crevice common to log homes and into all crevices they might choose to use for hibernating. They mate after emerging in the spring. Fill all the cracks or crevices in walls window or door frames with caulking. To prepare for the next season you can spray areas where you suspect these pesky flies will cluster.

A contact pyrethrum spray like cb 80 which is approved for indoor use can help as well. Homeowners are often bothered by sluggish flies in their homes in late winter and early spring. Both face and cluster flies overwinter in structures and are nuisance flies. Cluster flies especially love decomposing food and sweets.

Cluster flies are about 8 to 10 mm 31 to 39 inches long. Unlike brick or wood homes the sugar particles which may not be detectable to the human eye stick to the vinyl siding causing flies to gather. These flies are collectively called clustering flies but may actually be any of the three most common types of flies. On warm days in early winter or when homeowners turn on indoor heat the flies become active and move toward the warmth.

Cluster flies are overwintering meaning they will try to enter a home or building in the fall as temperatures begin to cool in search of a warm place to survive the winter. To prevent cluster fly infestation you could use following tips. Spray it lightly as needed for contact kill. On the homes siding in the attic and deep in the wall voids where cluster flies like to nest should be dusted with drione dust.

There is a newly patented canadian invention new meaning 2001 called the cluster buster that has the remarkable ability to attract and immobilize up to 1000 cluster flies when placed on the inside of a window pane. If the siding of the building is tight then the flies have less oppportunity to make their way into the structure. Insects such as flies are naturally drawn to vinyl siding because vinyl siding attracts build up of airborne sugar particles from nearby trees plants and brush. Based on casual observations cluster flies seem to be attracted to light colored buildings.