PEST ENDERS, INC.

Pests of the Past

February : Cluster Flies

The purpose of this section is to provide quick and easy identification of various insects and rodents. The pest characteristics are relative to the Chicagoland area. While the insects and/or rodents are active in most parts of the country; the peak activity period will vary according to your location. You will find listed for each month the insect and/or rodent with a history of peak activity during that month. Pest enders has simplified the identification procedure.

A more detailed identification process is available at the "pestweb" icon located at the bottom of the page. On screen prompts will guide you through a detailed identification process.

The adult Cluster Fly is a little larger than the house fly,black and gold in color and fuzzy in appearance. This annoying fly is usually found buzzing around in windows or on the floor on sunny days in February and the early springtime. The Cluster Fly emerges from upper level wall and attic voids during sunny days. The adult fly actually enters these upper level areas between the second week of August to the end of October. This fly does not breed inside the structure. It merely overwinters inside the structure. Cluster Flies breed on earthworms in the soil outside the structure. Once these pesky flies are observed inside the structure the best way to deal with them is to vacuum them up. The application of insecticides inside the structure is not an effective control measure. The only treatment recommended for control of this fly is the timely application of a micro-encapsulated insecticide to exterior areas of the structure. Upper level areas around window frames, soffits, vents etc. would be target areas. This application is best performed between August 7th and August 15th each year for maximum effect. This treatment will greatly reduce inside activity but it will not eliminate it completely. The cost of the exterior treatment will vary according to the size of structure to be treated. An average sized 3 bedroom house would cost $185.00. Prices will increase with the size of structure to be treated.

The Asian Ladybug is the same size as the common Ladybug. but is red in color rather than orange. The Asian ladybug migrates into buildings at nearly the identical time as the cluster fly. The treatment is identical as is the timing of treatment. Asian Lady Bugs do not breed inside the building. These insects will emerge on any sunnyday, on the sunnyside of building after they have entered. As with the Cluster Fly vacuuming up the emerging Lady bugs is the best control measure inside of buildings. There has been significant success traping the ladybugs with light traps in attics or above drop ceilings. These traps will sell from $50.00 to $400.00 depending on the size of the space to be controlled. Call our office for a free telephone estimate if you know the square footage of the area(s) to be trapped.

Call today for an inspection of your property. Click on contacts section of web page to locate the number nearest you or you may send e-mail to us at pestend@pestenders.com. We welcome your comments or suggestions.