Cluster Fly Behavior

Most homeowners will see cluster flies migrating to the sunniest portion of a home. As the name would imply, cluster flies love traveling in large groups, and they can be found both inside and outside of homes. Unlike other types of insects, cluster flies love flying during winter. It’s common for homeowners to witness these flies crawling out of attics and wall voids. Experts believe cluster flies originate from Europe and have been able to migrate to North America through different types of ships.

A typical cluster fly is a tiny bit bigger than a common housefly and moves very slowly. The golden, short hairs on a cluster fly’s thorax make it easy to identify. The thorax is what the cluster fly’s wings and legs are attached to. The larvae that grow into cluster flies develop inside of earthworms. The earthworm is known to be the preferred host for cluster flies.

The biggest difference between common house flies and cluster flies is the fact that cluster flies always fly in the direction of household windows that contain the most sunlight. The northern portion of the United States is where the highest concentration of cluster flies can be found.