Flies on the wall of the house can often be observed, especially in late summer. But which special species are drawn there and why and how can this be counteracted? The answers are here.
In a nutshell
- different types of flies love house walls
- single or visible in swarms
- various reasons for flies on walls
- Unwelcome scents, sticky and attractant traps to drive away
Table of contents
- Housefly (Musca domestica)
- Yellow cushion fly (Pollenia rudis)
- Miner flies (Agromyzidae)
- Prevent flies on walls
- frequently asked Questions
Housefly (Musca domestica)
If you discover flies on the house wall, it is often the house fly. If it occurs more frequently during the summer months, it is likely to nest in the immediate vicinity. In late summer, house flies often appear on walls because they are looking for winter quarters. Occasionally they can also be seen in spring. Then they have left their winter quarters and are looking for a new, safe place.
Experts suspect that they like to fly to walls because from there they usually have a better overview of their surroundings and can recognize impending danger more quickly. That is why they often fly to other larger, vertical surfaces, such as televisions.
Recognize
- Size: about six to eight millimeters long
- body covered with hair
- Body color: gray to black
- red compound eyes
- a pair of wings
- Wings thin with fine grain
- extensive cleaning behavior
Get rid of
- eucalyptus– or spread lavender oil by laying out/hanging scented cushions or setting up scent lamps
- Fly swatter, which, however, can cause unsightly stains on walls
- Glue catchers or glue traps
Yellow cushion fly (Pollenia rudis)
Cluster flies are considered pests. Aside from messing up walls with feces, they also attract other vermin. These include spiders, fur, pantry and carpet beetle. They can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.
This species of fly has a color preference, which is why it is particularly attracted to yellow walls. They seem to associate this with the color of the sun, because they only besiege walls that have been warmed up by the sun. Here they gather mainly in late summer and early autumn to look for suitable winter quarters, primarily in frost-free houses. basement, cellar and attics are preferred places to stay during the winter, where they get through small openings and cracks in facades.
Recognize
- Size: about 10 millimeters long
- Red eyes
- Light to dark gray checkered pattern on belly
- golden chest hair
- Abdomen with silver-grey and black spots
- possibly increased cobwebs
Tip: Because cluster flies are easily confused with house flies, look for movements and size to identify them. Cluster flies are slightly larger and have slower movements than house flies.
Get rid of
- Use UV light, attractant or glue traps
- vinegar trap:
- Pour 240 milliliters of vinegar into a container with three heaped tablespoons of sugar
- Add 1 banana peel
- Fill the container 2/3 full with water and mix well
- Cover with foil or something similar and punch holes in it
- position next to infested walls
Miner flies (Agromyzidae)
Miner flies also show a tendency to yellow, which is why they are mainly fought with yellow panels. They are usually harmful only to plants. In the wild, they serve as food for numerous insects, such as ladybirds and parasitic wasps. If the flies suddenly appear on a house wall during the summer, they are usually looking for a suitable place to lay their eggs.
Recognize
- Size: 1 to 3 millimeters
- Colour: yellow-black
- Occurs mainly at high temperatures
- Feeding holes on the leaves and mining tunnels (white leaf lines)
Get rid of
- Cut off affected branches and leaves
- nettle manure pour (smell drives them away)
- Set up yellow boards
Prevent flies on walls
Flies leave dirt on walls and are also annoying pests. The best fight is always reliable prevention, so that one is spared the effort.
The following preventive measures are therefore recommended:
- Seal cracks and openings
- Put fly screens on windows and mosquito nets on doors
- Attic and basement regularly on animal carcasses and droppings control (used to lay eggs)
- Remove or cover compost heaps and standing water
- yellow walls south side paint in a different color
- Do not leave leftovers or overripe fruit outside
- Plant scented plants, e.g. B. lavender, geranium or basil
Tip: Also check your plants regularly for larvae, because these are the flies "of tomorrow" and the next generation, which usually also lays their eggs in the same season.
frequently asked Questions
The season helps them. If the flies sit on the house walls in summer, the eggs are usually laid.
The use of insecticides is generally not recommended, especially not when it comes to infested walls in the house. They can pose a health risk in closed rooms. When used outdoors, you will also kill other beneficial insects, e.g. B. bees. To get rid of it, you should therefore stick to the options mentioned in the article.
That depends on the reason. If it is due to nesting, infestations can extend throughout the summertime. After hibernating, cluster flies are often attracted to the walls the next winter, so years can pass if you don't interrupt the cycle. After each fight, the application of preventive measures is always advisable.