According to some reports, record numbers of daddy long legs could be invading European homes this year. And while these flying critters don’t pose a significant risk to human health, they can be a nuisance. Daddy-long-legs may look like mosquitoes, but they don’t bite. That said, no one really wants them to become house guests.
An unusually warm and long summer has created almost perfect breeding conditions for the crane fly. If you’re afraid of them, you probably don’t want them flying around your bedroom at night. Thankfully, there are relatively simple ways to keep them out of your home this autumn — and here are a few of the most effective.
Keep your garden in great shape
Crane flies like to leave their larvae in moist and dense vegetation. They love thick grass, but they can cause serious damage to lawns if they’re allowed to take over. While keeping your garden neat and tidy won’t completely eradicate the problem, it will help. Mow your lawn until it stops growing, and trim excess growth — wherever it lies. Clear away dead vegetation regularly, and continually declutter the entire area throughout the early weeks of autumn. In short, don’t give crane fly larvae anywhere to hide.
Attend to repairs
Crane flies are drawn to the light and warmth of houses during the autumn. If they can’t find an open window, they’ll often look for alternative access routes into a property. Block their entry by repairing any cracks you find around windows, doors and vents. Make sure all your door frames are in a good state of repair, and consider adding weather strips to windows and external doors.
Clean regularly and thoroughly
Simply closing your windows throughout the daddy-long-leg season may not stop them from appearing in your home. Larvae may already be inside your property, so you need to perform detailed cleaning and vacuuming regularly. Use the best vacuum cleaner for carpets you can find to remove larvae from deep within the pile. And make sure you access hidden crevices and corners with the relevant accessories.
Keep external lighting to a minimum
Just like moths, crane flies are attracted to light. If the exterior of your home is swathed in bright light for much of the night, there’s a good chance that you’re attracting these pests from nearby gardens and parkland. Turn off unnecessary exterior lights at night, and if you have to have your windows open, keep your curtains drawn.
Don’t be too hard on crane flies
The dreaded daddy-long-leg might be the stuff of some people’s nightmares, but they’re harmless to humans. In fact, they help us by eating smaller bugs — many of which can cause damage to certain plants. Think of crane flies as Mother Nature’s bug control system. Wherever possible, catch them, and set them free outside. They don’t live long, so the chances are they’ll never return.
The last resort
If you have a serious problem, you might need a specialist to assess your home, as larvae might be hatching in your home’s walls — or even underneath your floors. Should the issue be related to your home’s exterior, spray all of the openings and access points in your home with an environmentally-friendly insect repellent.
Daddy-long-legs are an important part of the ecosystem, and their presence is never cause for alarm. If you find them in your home, don’t panic — they don’t bite, and they don’t carry diseases. Remove them, and take steps to ensure they don’t return.