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Cluster Fly

Common Name: Cluster Fly Scientific name: Pollenia rudis Size 8mm

Biology: Eggs are laid in soil cracks and wall cavities these will hatch in about 3 days. Development time from egg to adult varies

from 27-39 days. There are usually about 4 generations per year. Complete Metamorphosis

Habits: As the days shorten and the weather cools cluster flies enter buildings to over winter and can travel more than a mile to

do so. They usually occupy attics and wall voids. They normally use the same structure year after year. They can be a problem

in the autumn and springtime, in the autumn they enter to hibernate. On warm sunny autumn days and again in the spring they

can also be a nuisance when they begin to leave the structures. Once stimulated cluster flies seek UV light. They can be found

crawling around windows or around lamps and lights in vast numbers.

Treatment: Cluster flies when active within a loft space are treated with an insecticidal fogging machine. The machine breaks

the insecticide down into miniscule particles filling the entire loft with a heavy fog of insecticide. This will kill off all active flies on

contact then once the insecticide has dried it has a residual life of up to 2-3 weeks which will kill any newly hatched flies that land

in the treated areas. The treatment may need to be carried out twice a year for heavily infested properties.

Squirrels

The grey squirrel was introduced from the USA into approximately 30 sites across the UK from 1876–1930. Grey squirrels can

cause serious damage through their gnawing of cables, building structures and other vulnerable materials such as insulation as

they search for food or nesting material.

They will readily inhabit lofts, attics and roof spaces as well as outbuildings. Signs of their presence will be scratching noises and

droppings, however, these can be mistaken for rat droppings. They are not thought to carry human diseases but can bite if they

are frightened or cornered. In addition, grey squirrels may pass fleas to domestic animals & humans

Appearance

Adult grey squirrels average 35cm in length and are between 450–650g in weight. They are grey-brown in colour. Squirrel

kittens appear when they are around seven weeks old, and look like smaller versions of their parents.

Lifecycle

Grey squirrels can survive in copses, shrubs, hedgerows and trees, and build their nests from twigs, leaves and moss. They

have a varied diet of seeds, buds, flowers, shoots, nuts, berries and fruit from many trees and shrubs, and will also eat fungi

and insects. There are two breeding seasons each year, with 3-7 kittens in each litter.

February / March - April / June

June / July - August / September

Kittens are born with their eyes closed, without teeth and with no hair. After about seven weeks they look just like small versions

of their parents and are ready to leave the drey (nest).

Treatment: A general treatment for squirrels will consist of baiting and trapping. The bait used is a warfarin based grain bait

and the traps used are instant kill traps. We also carry live catch traps for those customers who wish that the squirrel is re-

released. Once the current infestation has been dealt with it is important to proof any access points allowing access to squirrels,

this is to prevent re-infestation.