House Flies or Cluster Flies

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House and cluster flies are common household pests that can be easily confused with each other. Even though they are similar, there are a few key differences in their appearance, behavior, and time of year you’ll see them in your home that can help you tell the difference between the two. They both will enter your home through holes and cracks in doors, windows, and walls but unlike house flies, cluster flies will enter your home looking for shelter from the cold, not for food.

How to Identify House Flies vs Cluster Flies

To the untrained eye, house flies and cluster flies can appear very similar but there are a few differences in their appearance and behavior.

House Flies

House flies usually enter a home looking for a food source such as Feces, overripe fruits and vegetables, rotting food or garbage, and animal carcasses. They do not normally breed inside as they prefer to lay their eggs in decaying matter or feces. Since they have an affinity for areas that harbor bacteria and diseases house flies are known to bring a variety of pathogens into a home.

Key Characteristics of a house fly

• Color: Gray with vertical black stripes along the body
• Size: ⅛ to ¼ inch in length
• Eyes: Reddish colored
• Behavior: Fast quick movements
• Wing: Keeps their wings separate when they are resting.

Cluster Flies

Unlike house flies, cluster flies generally enter a home looking for shelter during the colder months. As their name suggests, they will appear in large numbers or clusters.  They like to hide in quiet areas of your home where they will not be disturbed like in the attic or inside walls. Once the weather outside starts to get warm, cluster flies will emerge from their hiding places trying to get out of the home to lay eggs.

Key Characteristics of a cluster fly

• Color: Dark and light gray checkered bodies with golden, yellowish hair
• Size: Up to ⅜ inch in length
• Behavior: Slow, sluggish movements
• Wings: Overlaps their wings when they are resting

Getting Rid of Flies

Flies are an extremely difficult pest to keep completely out of your home. Even if they are difficult to keep out of your home, there are some things you can do to help prevent and lessen flies in your home. Cluster and house flies will sneak through cracks and holes in walls, doors, and windows therefore it is important to find and fill or block any holes and cracks to ensure flies cannot enter your house. It is also important to keep tight lids on any trash cans and dispose of food that is beginning to decay. Flies are excellent at hiding and breed quickly, making it tricky to treat infestations. The easiest and quickest way to deal with flies invading your home is to call a trusted extermination company like Rocket Pest. Our trusted technicians will help you keep your home free of these annoying pests!