Understanding Cluster Flies
In Westerville and Polaris, many homeowners mistake cluster flies for common house flies. They look similar, but their behavior sets them apart. Cluster flies are larger, with dark gray bodies and golden hairs that give them a shiny appearance. Unlike house flies, they don’t breed in garbage or spread bacteria. Their larvae develop outdoors as parasites of earthworms, so infestations always start outside your home.
Cluster flies begin searching for warm, sheltered spots in late summer and fall. Sunny siding on Westerville’s older homes or new buildings near Polaris Parkway often attracts them. Once they find warmth, they squeeze through cracks, vents, or gaps around windows and doors. Inside, they settle in attics, wall voids, and upper floors, waiting quietly through winter until spring sunshine brings them back out.
Why Cluster Flies Are a Nuisance
Cluster flies don’t bite or sting, but they can overwhelm a home. You might notice them buzzing lazily near windows or clustering on south-facing walls during warmer days. They:
- Gather in large numbers, often in the same homes each year
- Leave dark spots from droppings on ceilings, walls, and windows
- Release a foul odor when crushed
- Reappear every fall unless treated
Although they cause no structural damage, their persistence makes them frustrating for homeowners. Once they choose a house, they tend to return unless you remove their entry points and apply preventive treatments.
How to Prevent Cluster Flies in Westerville and Polaris Homes
You can stop cluster flies before they enter your home by acting early. The most effective prevention starts before temperatures drop in late summer and fall.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect siding, windows, and rooflines. Seal cracks with caulk, replace worn weatherstripping, and repair torn screens. Pay attention to attic vents and roof edges where flies often enter.
- Target Seasonal Activity: Schedule professional pest control treatments before cluster flies move inside. Preventive barrier treatments protect your home through the colder months.
- Maintain Upper Floors and Attics: Inspect your attic regularly. Keep it sealed and vacuum up any dead flies you find to avoid odor buildup.
Cluster flies don’t reproduce indoors, so any you see came from outside. Vacuum visible ones as needed, but focus on sealing and treatment to stop future infestations.
Call Green Shield Pest Pros Today
If you’ve seen cluster flies near your Westerville or Polaris windows or attic, act before they multiply. Green Shield Pest Pros delivers targeted treatments that eliminate cluster flies and prevent them from returning. Our team understands local conditions and seasonal patterns, so we know how to keep these pests away for good. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and protect your home year-round.