Cluster flies

[Pford75]

Not strictly period property I know, but today I went to clear my loft in advance of the insulation chappies coming next week.

Well, I was greeted by a thick cloud of cluster flies.....so many it was impossible to stay in there without inhaling them

Our local pest control people recommend preventing access (ie. blocking up the ventilation to the loft space)....given that I am not going to do that...does anyone have suggestions/experience of what does work?

Local pig farmer mentioned some kind of smoke bomb thingy :?:

 

[mark_j_k]

When we used to have an alotment we used sulphur candles in the greenhouses to remove any unwanted insects and stuff.

Not sure if they could be used in a loft mind you.

 

[Nemesis]

Do a site search

flies

for numerous past posts...

Here's one thread...

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=437&highlight=flies

 

[NT]

Vapona - but do find the cause as well.

NT

 

[Me!]

One of these -
http://www.sourcing4u.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=28
They are fantastic!

 

[Nemesis]

Look also at the bottom 'product' here:


http://www.ridoutassociates.co.uk/products.htm

 

[Lime]

Cluster flies are no threat to you or your property and common in some areas.
I think you should leave them alone untill Spring and have the work done then.

 

[Penners]

Look also at the bottom 'product' here:


http://www.ridoutassociates.co.uk/products.htm

That appears to be a deathwatch beetle gizmo.

 

[Nemesis]

Sigh.


'These light traps may also be used to monitor the flying insect assemblage found in a building, and to deplete the populations of pest species including furniture beetles and cluster flies.'

 

[Penners]

Cluster flies are no threat to you or your property and common in some areas.
I think you should leave them alone untill Spring and have the work done then.

Oh come on, Lime. Over the past year, I've been doing some work in my daughter's attic, which was full of the little blighters. The season seems to have little effect on the population.

They may be no threat to the property, but it's unreasonable to expect anyone to work amid a cloud of them. Every time you go near them, they start buzzing around your head, and can get into your mouth, nose (and goodness knows what other bodily orifices :shock.

 

[Pford75]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.....also spoke to our 'rat man'.

Word of warning to other posters....he warned against the use of UV electrocuter type traps....since there have been cases in heavy cluster fly infestation where the pile of dead flies gets so high it reaches the unit and can start a fire!! Not a good idea if the unit is left out of sight in a loft!

I've ordered some 'cluster busters' to deal with the b@ggers that make it into the house (they seem relatively inconspicuous and are chemical free)

In the loft space, my local pig farmer recommends some permethrin smoke pellets, but not too keen on using these. but may try one in our barn first to see what impact it has.

Finally, after much research....there is apparently a pheremone spray treatment which will not kill them....but can be used to deter reinfestation next season....this should be sprayed in the Spring.

I have to say that it is not something I can leave - the cloud of flies around the lights in the loft was almost causing a blackout! Think I must have inhaled enough to exceed my RDA of cluster flies :x

Will let you know how I get on with the smoke pellets

 

[Penners]

Sigh.


'These light traps may also be used to monitor the flying insect assemblage found in a building, and to deplete the populations of pest species including furniture beetles and cluster flies.'

Sorry, but I'm far too busy to read the small print.

That's how I came to buy this house... thought I was buying a second hand freezer.

 

[Pford75]

See the following for warnings about using electrocutors with Cluster Fly

http://www.pestexpress.com/html2/fly.html

The problem with most electronic fly killers is that due to safety issues they are unable to work without a catch tray fixed underneath the unit. The l;arge numbers of cluster flies being killed by and EFK will create a build up of bodies, which may cause a fire hazard, if the dead insects touch the killing grid. An EFK fitted with a tray allowing the dead insects to fall safely through into a collection container is ideal, making this an effective way to control these pest flies.

 

[Matt Green]

The UV traps sold by Ridout Associates do not electrocute flies. They are attracted to the sticky pads by a single UV tube with sealed unit starter. The sticky pads are replaceable.

Just so everyone's clear and not making any mental leaps.


Matt Green

 

[Nemesis]

I wuz clear - I read it... it's sort of upmarket flypaper!

 

[plumbers mate]

>>That's how I came to buy this house... thought I was buying a second hand freezer.

I did the opposite - thought I was buying a house but it turned out to be a second hand freezer.

 

[Melz]

Hi. I'm also trying to find a solution for cluster flies. We've had a pest control man from the local council come and do the smoke bomb pesticide in our roof space a couple of times, but the flies come back each year.

I've done some research on the flies on the internet and it seems that they are guided back to the same spot year after year by pheromones which they release. I've thought of trying to physically block any holes which might let them in but I have a feeling it'd be a futile exercise. I read somewhere that the best time of year to try the smoke bomb type pesticide is after a few hard frosts, as by then pretty much all the cluster flies which are going to overwinter in your house are already in and tucked up waiting for warmer weather. I've also found a non-chemical fly trap which I'm about to order which attracts the flies which buzz around the window and drowns them in fine powder. A supplier called Cluster Busters sells them online as does Castle Hygiene. I'll let you know if it works.

 

[Penners]

>>That's how I came to buy this house... thought I was buying a second hand freezer.

I did the opposite - thought I was buying a house but it turned out to be a second hand freezer.

Never mind, PM. At least you'll keep fresh in the cold.

 

[Pford75]

>Fly death update<

OK - Have been offline for a couple of weeks (plasterer severed my broadband conection!)

So, I used the following

1. Cluster fly smoke treatment (I bought them and did the treatment myself - cost me £82 instead of the £460 quoted by pest control)

2. I too have bought some of the 'clsuter buster' non chemical traps for any stragglers which escaped the loft....

3. Following advice from my local pig farmer....I am having the loft pheremone treated in the Spring (£300 apx) which I am advised will stop the blighters coming back for a few years (helps to break the cycle)


Having dealt with the loft infestation, I have been clearing out in advance of insulating the loft......4 full carrier bags of dead flies....uuurgh

 

[Nemesis]

Clearly, there is cash to be made in this pest control lark... maybe not as much as injection damp proof courses, but still, money for old rope by the sounds of things.