No More Creepy Crawlies
Oamaru, Waitaki & Beyond
Spider proofing and Fly Control is locally owned and operated by me, Greg Murphy. I have been providing effective and affordable services to Oamaru and the surrounding areas for the past 25 years.
I am committed to providing the highest quality service to customers by the standard of work that is carried out, a quick response, and affordable prices.”
Give me a call today for a free consultation or quote.
Spider Proofing
Spider treatments involve simply treating the exterior of a house or building to kill any existing spiders and prevent new ones from establishing themselves.
As the notorious white tail spider feeds on other spiders it is prudent to have this done to prevent large populations of spiders around your home in the first instance. This treatment will of course kill and prevent white tails from habiting as well. Occasionally (if there is a high population of white tails on a property particularly with smaller children, we may recommend spraying the inside of the house and the attic/ceiling cavity as well.
Fly Control
Are pesky flies taking over your house and leaving unsightly marks all over your ceilings, walls, and light fittings? Annual fly proofing will deter flies from landing on surfaces and settling. Although flies may still enter the house, those that touch the treated surfaces will be killed.
No persons or animals can be in the house while fly proofing is carried out, with a minimum of three hours wait time recommended after a treatment is competed before re-entering.
The process involves spraying the inside ceiling and walls with a misting application that leaves an insecticide on the surfaces the flies land on. It is most effective for 6 weeks but will have residual effects for up to 3 months. Flies will still come in through open doors and windows but tend to drop off once they land on the sprayed surfaces and begin their regurgitation process.
Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are one of the challenging pests to deal with. Due to their unusual biology, once they infiltrate a place they like, they attract other flies to join them. Unfortunately, this means it’s notoriously difficult to get rid of cluster flies. But by knowing a bit more about them and how they behave, you can increase the chances that they won’t become a pest for your property.
What are cluster flies?
Cluster flies are the species Phormia rudis, part of the blowfly family Calliphoridae. Many flies are attracted to human food and scraps, which is why flies are often found around dishes. Cluster flies, however, survive off earthworms so tend to make their nests around earthworm burrows.
You can tell a cluster fly from other fly species by lines on their head, gold hairs on their thorax, dull grey and dark colour on the body, and their size, about 7mm-15mm long. They’re a bit slower and larger than the common housefly and are sometimes known as “dopey” flies. The flies tend to gather in large groups or “clusters” in places like the attic. A single cluster fly.
The most common time for cluster flies to appear is autumn going into early winter. Once the outside temperatures get too cold, they search for a warmer environment–usually indoors. They sleep when it’s colder. So on warmer days of the cold months, it might seem like they suddenly appear, but more likely is that they were already in the property but become active with the warmth.
The problem with cluster flies
At first glance, these pests might seem fairly easy to beat. They’re large, slow, and are fairly immobile. The problem is in their biology.
When cluster flies find a place to make their home, they release a potent pheromone that attracts more flies. And this pheromone is extremely difficult to remove. Even after strong chemical cleaners, the pheromone persists in a weaker form and can attract flies for some time after; even years later sometimes. The best way to keep them out is to make sure they never enter in the first place.
How do you prevent cluster flies?
Unlike with many kinds of insects, insect screens offer little protection against cluster flies. This is because they are more likely to get into a property by crawling through small openings.
For prevention, start by first and foremost filling in any holes in on the sunny side of the building. Then move around to the rest of the building from there. If there are no entry points they can crawl through, they’re unlikely to make an appearance. Regular chemical treatments on the roof and exterior of the property can also stop them from entering.
What’s the best way to get rid of cluster flies?
There are a few things you can do if you notice clusters of the flies in your home. First, the cluster needs to be sprayed down with pesticide. This will kill the existing flies. The flies should then be vacuumed away or removed completely in another way.
Next, the area needs to be cleaned thoroughly with a strong disinfectant. Anywhere with the pheromones would need to be treated. If they only seem to be in a single room, wipe down as many surfaces in that room as you can.
After this, you should search the outside of the property to see where they may have come in from. Spray the disinfectant on any holes you find, especially on surfaces the sun hits. This will reduce the chance of them coming in through those same places. If they were grouped in one part of the house, search the outer walls near that area more thoroughly. If you do everything correctly, you should see the flies start to disappear. They’ll instead head to a property that’s easier to enter and is less protected. If you still can’t get seem to stop them, feel free to give us a call.
Important Info
To ensure you get the best results following a pest control treatment there are certain things we advise you to do in order to keep you, your family and your pets safe. These conditions will vary depending on whether you are having treatment solely on the outside of your home or we are needing to carry out fly and spider-proofing inside. If these steps are not carried out, we do not take responsibility for any damages incurred.
Inside Your Home
- No person can be in the house if you are wanting an inside fly and spider-proofing treatment.
- Pets must be out of the house with water and food bowls put away. If you are unable to remove your pet from the house, the alternative is to put them in a secure room or garage for a minimum four-hour period and this area will not be included in the pest control treatment.
- Any fish tanks or fish bowls should be covered and the filter system turned off.
- All food and cooking appliances that can be put away in the kitchen should be removed. Cover the bench area and any other food preparation areas with drop sheets.
- In the bathroom/s we ask you to put away toothbrushes, towels and any personal items.
- To ensure your safety, you should wait a minimum of four hours after treatment is completed before you, your family or your pets re-enter your home.
Outside Your Home
- For the best results on your home, we advise you to wash down the outside of your house before a treatment – allowing plenty of time for it to dry.
- Make sure your pets are safely locked away when a treatment is carried out and until the product used has completely dried on all surfaces.
- We advise you to leave your washing line clear on the day of treatment, to avoid any overspray on clothing, if it is close to the house or other areas being treated.
- We advise you not to leave shoes or clothing around the front door or at home on the day of your pest control treatment.
- We recommend washing any fruit or veggies growing near treatment areas thoroughly as a precaution.
Weather Conditions
Outside pest control treatments can be weather dependent. Damp weather and high winds may mean we need to reschedule your job.
Get in Touch
Spider Proofing and Fly Control
Looking for Spider Proofing and Fly Control in Oamaru, Waitaki, and beyond? Whatever you may be after, please contact Greg, we are local leaders in the field and will get you sorted!