Midges and phorid flies, oh my!

Editor’s Word: It is a internet unique, an addendum to the Could print problem’s Ask the Skilled column, which may be discovered right here.

A midge grownup. PHOTO: SIMAK/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS/GETTY IMAGES

Persevering with the dialog requested by “FLYING LITTLE INSECTS ENTERING STRUCTURES,” or “FLIES,” if it’s not fungus gnats, red-eyed fruit flies or moth flies breeding indoors in a residence, it could be an issue that’s being bred outside and discovering their approach in.

Midges and such usually don’t attempt to enter houses — they are often interested in lights at night time and by chance enter — however they gained’t breed inside, so it’s unlikely your buyer would see them continuously in the event that they have been an sometimes invading fly.

Phoridae are the one household of flies you would possibly have the ability to establish and not using a hand lens. They run earlier than they fly, form of like an airplane on a runway. For those who deliver your finger near them, you will note them run away earlier than they take off and fly. It is a lifeless giveaway that it’s a phorid fly.

Phorid flies. Picture courtesy of, and copyrighted by, Gene White, pmimages@earthlink.internet

I haven’t seen phorids as a lot in residential settings as I’ve business, however they’re value together with right here. I’ve written a few “Ask the Skilled” columns that concerned phorids in residential settings, each of which have been fairly uncommon circumstances:

Typically, this household of flies wants a habitat that’s moist, though not as moist as moth flies however wetter than fruit flies. Often, there’s a distinct odor of decay related to their habitat, however to not the extent of disgusting like a home fly breeding web site. Eliminating the supply with probably some knockdown for any adults which can be current is the important thing to controlling this pest. As with moth flies, some cleansing additionally can be wanted within the affected areas.