Signs of Spring: Crane Flies

When the leaves on the live oaks start to fall I know that spring is just around the corner. Spring is even closer when I get mugged by Crane flies. Crane flies are the large flying critters that looks like mosquitos. They tend to swarm you when you walk around the house. They are not attacking, just saying hello. I have heard them called everything in the book. Most of the language used is not nice. Also, they are not mosquitos, of either sex. What they are is harmless and annoying. The Crane fly like damp, rotting organic matter. If you must, you can use a general purpose insecticide to kill them. You can repel them with yellow light bulbs in exterior fixtures. They will have less of a breeding environment if you keep the gutters clean. This will also help with the real mosquitos. Find out more about crane flies by clicking here.