Cluster flies are the genus Pollenia in the blowfly family Calliphoridae. Unlike more familiar blow flies, they do not present a health hazard because they do not lay eggs in human food yet they are still a nuisance. Cluster flies are also often referred to as cedar flies because if you mash them up they smell similar to cedar wood.
It's the time of year to seal up window and door frames and check for any other areas that should be covered to prevent cluster flies. Cluster flies like to move into homes in the early to mid fall, these are the flies that you will occasionally see in the home even during the dead of winter and will come out in homes in droves in the spring. Now is the time to think about sealing up any points of entry for cluster flies. Roof vents, window frames, door frames, dryer vents, etc. can all be places where cluster flies can encroach on homes.
Now is also a good time to order an extra bag of 5,000 Fly Predators to just sprinkle around the perimeter of your house to cull any cluster flies that might be lingering about already.
The below photo is cool but cluster flies are not when they are in your house!You can learn more about a couple other types of flies on our "Be Fly Savvy" Page.