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Cluster Fly (Pollenia rudis)
- Cluster flies enter buildings in the fall -
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Summary: Cluster flies can be nuisance in the fall if they enter homes. They cause no real damage but steps should be taken to prevent their entry and to control any that gain access to walls voids and attics.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Identification of cluster fly
 This page will help you identify and get rid of cluster flies that have invaded your home in the fall. Cluster flies look like house flies except for some golden hairs behind the head (right). These hairs rub off easily so they may not always be present. Cluster flies may enter homes during the fall and become a nuisance. They cause no damage, however, and will not reproduce indoors.
Unlike other, similar flies, cluster flies do not develop in manure or garbage but rather are parasites of earthworms. Cluster fly larvae develop inside earthworms so they tend to be more of a nuisance problem in homes that are surrounded by turf areas that support large numbers of earthworms like pastures, golf courses, well-managed lawns, and cemetaries. Cluster flies do not harm earthworm populations.
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Cluster fly (about the size of a house fly), note golden hairs behind head.
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Flies emerge from their earthworm hosts in the fall and congregate, often in large numbers, on nearby homes. Flies that gain entry into wall voids and attic spaces can be a nuisance all winter when they migrate into the livingspace. Control efforts should concentrate first on excluding flies from entering homes in the fall and second on controlling any that do get in. Do not attempt to control earthworms as this may actually damage the soil and turf.
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Cluster flies enter houses in the fall
First, exclude flies by repairing window screens, soffit vents, and sealing cracks around windows and doors. Even a small opening can allow flies to enter the home. Flies that do manage to get into the attic can be safely controlled with one of the new, low toxicity botanical insecticides. If you have access to fogging equipment a good choice would be EcoExempt IC.
Flies also congregate in exterior walls and get into the voids between exterior wall studs. These spaces can be dusted with borates, silica or the botanical dust insecticide, EcoPCO DX. Wall void treatments can be tricky and usually involve drilling holes from the outside, similar to treating for carpenter ants. This application can be done by a pest control operator if you are not able to do it yourself.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as well (sorry, but these are necessary).
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