<p>I had a fly infestation of at least 50 bugs in 2-3 days, here in the north end of of Chicago. Now I’m gettting one or two per day. Never had this problem before, and I am very well trained in battling bug problems, even bat problems (parents used to have an old cottage near a lake.) What gives?</p>
<p>We did have a very hot summer, so there could be dead field mice somewhere in the garage. Lots of things died in our unrelenting heat and humidity, pests, pets and even people.</p>
<p>FWIW, I live on a farm with cows, a horse, goat, large vegetable garden and compost pile…flies are always a problem! But I haven’t noticed them to be any more of a problem this summer, or for the last week…yet!</p>
<p>Well the good news is that with the help of “Google Images” it’s easy to look up what kind of Fly you are dealing with and than you will know if you have cluster flies or flies coming from a carcass (the 2 most likely issues). Once you know either look for and remove the source or just use a vacuum to suck up the cluster flies… But identification is everything…</p>
<p>Mathmom - We had cluster flies too many yrs ago. They are large, black, extremely slow flying flies. They come out in the late summer months, I believe. We learned from our exterminator that they lay dormant (breeding?) in the walls of homes & there is a very specific limited time period when you are supposed to spray to get rid of them permanently. Contact a reputable exterminator for the exact time period (This was so long ago that I don’t remember the timing) as that is critical to ridding your house of them. One extermination at the correct time works.</p>
<p>We’ve also had more flies than usual. I few weeks ago, we had the same kind of infestation others have described–bunches of flies, many clinging to the screens. I got rid of most just by taking the screen out and waving them out. I never heard of cluster flies before, but I bet that’s what they were.</p>
<p>sweetdreams, thanks for that advice. I’ll give a call to an exterminator. I believe that they are cluster flies. They’re really slow-moving and easy to sneak up on and swat but I’d rather eliminate them permanently!</p>
<p>Cluster Flies lay eggs in cracks (often between exterior siding) and bloom almost all at once months later. Sometimes they re-infest the same house the next year but more often they are a one shot deal. I would put off treatment for a year and see what happens (worst case = a few days of flies next year) . In any case treatment would be done in fall, not now. (free advice from a very good exterminator).</p>
<p>We have cluster flies in a cabin in the northwoods. Every time we go up in winter and put on the wood stove, a few lazy flies perk up and come out to buzz around for a while. We just ignore them, tho they can be a pain. </p>
<p>I also find that my large potted plants have flies breeding in the dirt. It is most notable in the winter when the house is totally closed up and the plants are watered infrequently but heavily. One big fat black fly will come out within a day or two of the watering. Very odd and I find this somehow more bothersome than the cluster/wall flies in the cabin. That one big fly will explore the whole house. Ugh. The things must lay eggs immediately back into the house plant, because a month later when I water again, here comes the next incarnation. I know it’s not the same fly because each time they emerge they are dispatched. </p>
<p>Interesting to hear that this odd summer is now resulting in fly infestations. Some years it’s acorns, some years it’s chipmunks and squirrels. This year it’s flies!</p>
<p>My inclination is not to do anything. If they reappear next year I’ll reconsider. I actually hope to do a kitchen renovation in the next year or two and that might take care of the issue anyway. They were gross for two days and then they were gone.</p>
<p>Glad to see ncmentor agrees with me!</p>
<p>Every time I see this thread I think someone is going to tell me what to do with my FILES. You know, the service records for the cars we no longer own, the school reports from the early 90s . . .</p>