As the live oak trees begin to shed their leaves, it’s a sure sign that the warmth of spring is on its way. An even surer sign is the sudden appearance of Crane flies, those gangly insects that resemble oversized mosquitoes. Don’t be alarmed if a cloud of them seems to follow your every move outside; they’re just curiously greeting you, not trying to bite.
Although they might receive a variety of colorful nicknames — most not very flattering — rest assured, these creatures are neither mosquitoes nor do they pose any harm. What they do excel at is being quite the nuisance. Crane flies are drawn to moist, decaying natural materials, so it’s common to find them around your home if these conditions exist.
Should their presence become too bothersome, you may consider using a general-purpose insect spray to discourage them. Alternatively, installing yellow-tinted light bulbs outdoors can help keep them at bay since they’re less attracted to this color. Keeping your home’s gutters clean is another effective tactic in reducing habitat for Crane flies, influencing their numbers and also contributing to mosquito control efforts.
For those interested in learning more about Crane flies and how to manage any unwanted fly-by greetings, please feel free to explore further by clicking here.
