Cluster or attic flies are the genus pollenia in the blowfly family calliphoridae.
Flies in attic uk.
They require warm places to hibernate over winter.
Adults measure 8 to 10 millimeters.
The females lay their eggs near earthworm burrows and the larvae then feed on the worms.
You may see a large group of cluster flies around a window as they are attracted to the light on sunny winter days.
If you seal cracks and crevices around windows under eaves fascia s and door frames this can help to prevent them entering.
By instinct they seek shelter away from the elements such as in the fall when it gets cold.
Cluster flies are often known also as attic flies.
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.
The thorax of an adult cluster fly is covered in short golden hairs and the wings overlap when at rest.
Cluster flies seek refuge in cold weather and find their way into attic spaces and similar areas indoors.
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.
Cluster flies are common in the loft and attic spaces of homes and business premises.
Cluster flies facts identification control latin name.
The grass flies or cluster flies or attic flies are the genus pollenia in the family polleniidae are completely harmless to human health.
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.
Light and dark gray checkered abdomens.
And the easiest entrance is usually through external gaps leading to your attic.
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.
Cluster flies are commonly found in quiet undisturbed parts of your home such as attics and wall voids.
Naturally your house is warmer.
Cluster flies also known as attic flies are household pests.
Common cluster flies polleniarudis are large and black and look very similar to house flies so can easily be mistaken for them.
Cluster flies then re emerge around late winter spring time when they can become a problem again.
Appearance what do they look like.
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.
Cluster fly larvae develop inside earthworms living in the ground outside of homes.
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.
Most commonly they move from the ground to your attic for the winter when it gets cold.
Thus the common name they have of attic flies.
