| Cluster fly facts |
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The Cluster fly is widely distributed throughout North America and Europe.
The adult fly is slightly larger than the house fly. Its robust body is dark gray, nonmetallic and covered with short golden hairs. Adult flies mate outdoors and lay their eggs in the soil. The eggs hatch into larvae that parasitize earthworms. Within 27 to 39 days the adult flies emerge and the cycle starts over again. Approximately four generations per year may occur. Cluster flies do not bite. They are more of a nuisance than anything else. It is typical to see hundreds of dead flies within your house, especially on window ledges. As the outside temperature rises so do the flies. Large numbers of flies will leave their hibernation sites and try to get outside to mate. The first areas where you will see them are usually on the south and west facing walls of the building. There are some health issues that are associated with Cluster flies. The large numbers of flies that die within the building can attract secondary pests such as beetles and rodents. Some respiratory ailments may occur from air borne insect fragments as the dead, dried out flies are crushed or vacuumed up. If you would like more information please visit the Cluster fly information page, the fly control program and the Do It Yourself fly page. For any questions or concerns regarding cluster flies and the treatment available, please call: RELIABLE EXTERMINATORS LIMITED
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The presence of cluster flies is directly related to the presence of its host, the earthworm. Their name comes from the behaviour of gathering in clusters before hibernation. One by one Cluster flies will enter a building in early fall to seek shelter from cooler temperatures. When the weather warms, the Cluster flies emerge from their hiding places and exit the building. Their presence in large numbers is often annoying to the building's occupants as the flies try to exit the building
