Cluster Flies

Pollenia pseudorudis and Pollenia rudis

Cluster flies are medium to large (8-15mm) 'dopey' flies, with a dark gray to black non-metallic abdomen. The larvae of the fly feeds on earthworms in grass pasture or lawn areas, then in late autumn and early winter the adult flies will move into homes and other buildings to hibernate over winter.

They are named cluster flies because of their habit of congregating in large groups or swarms in dark places such as attics, corners of dark rooms, 'nooks and crannies' and 'cracks and crevices'. Each fly releases a pheromone (smell) that attracts others. This pheromone will linger on even after all the flies have been destroyed and removed and thus will continue to attract cluster flies to that area so that the clusters keep recurring. It is therefore important that treatments are continued even when there are no flies present.

The flies congregate to survive through the winter and once warmer weather arrives in spring they emerge from their 'hibernation' to lay eggs on surrounding grassland, pasture and lawns. The larvae that hatch from the eggs bore into earthworms, where they feed, eventually killing the worms before pupating and emerging as adult flies. The flies go though as many as five life cycles through a summer before the last generation of the season looks for somewhere dark, warm and dry to hibernate.

How to get rid of Cluster Flies and keep them away

Kill the adults to prevent them laying eggs in surrounding grass. Kill the larvae in the grass to prevent the adults clustering in your buildings.

If possible it is best to prevent the problem of these flies moving into your home by treating the larvae in the soil before they become adult flies. Use NO Insects Lawngard Prills which is a slow release insecticide for removing pest insects from the soil. This is an ideal product to protect you from Cluster flies. Sprinkle these prills on grassy areas within 100-200m of your home.

If you have the adult flies swarming and clustering in the house or other building you need to carry out a program of treatment.

1. Check around your house/buildings for clusters of flies in warm, dark, dry corners specially your roof void and eaves.
2. If these can be accessed, spray the clusters with NO Bugs Super. If the clusters cannot be found or accessed use NO Bugs Borafume Fumigators or NO Bugs Bug Bombs in the voids.
3. Once the flies in the cluster are dead, clear away as many bodies as can be reached. If you use a vacuum cleaner ensure the bag is disposed of immediately. Spray the surfaces they were clustering on with more NO Bugs Super to prevent new clusters forming where the pheromone lingers.
4. Treat the surfaces around the home where flies have been seen and entry points to the roof void around the eaves etc. with NO Bugs Super.
5. Treat again prior to the next season to prevent new clusters collecting. Given a chance they will use the same areas to form clusters.

LAWNGARD PRILLS

This product is specifically formulated for use on ground and soil dwelling insects such as; cluster fly larvae, ants, grass grubs, porina caterpillars, cluster flies, carrot rust fly, wire worms and slaters. Sprinkle granules over the problem areas, then water in very well. The insecticide is carried into the soil where the grubs are feeding, or by direct contact of the porina caterpillar in their tunnels.

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NO BUGS BUG BOMB

Use this product for a quick knockdown of insects such as, Borer on the wing, Silverfish, Weevils, Moths, Fleas, Flies including Cluster Flies, present in the room at the time of release. To maintain a bug free environment use NO Bugs Bug Bomb in conjunction with the appropriate long term treatment such as Kiwicare NO Bugs Super, NO Borer, or NO Fleas Total.

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NO BUGS BORAFUME FUMIGATOR

This fumigator is activated by a reaction between water and the chemical inside the Borafume fumigator.  The fumigator will kill borer ‘on the wing’ and other crawling / flying insects, including clusterflies, present at the time of its activation.  Borafume is also especially good at flushing out and killing cockroaches.  For long term control of cluster flies, follow up with a Kiwicare NO Bugs Super residual treatment of areas where clusters had formed and/or entry points to roof voids or other spaces where clusters formed.

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NO BUGS SUPER Concentrate

Dilute with water to provide a spray designed for interior and exterior use. Any insect which walks or crawls across the treated surface will die. (except Daddy Long Legs spiders). The spray stays effective for 2-6 months depending on exposure to UV light. Once the product is dry the surface is safe for children and pets.

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