The Crane Fly Invasion

by mrsjones5 7 Replies latest social family

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  mrsjones5

  For the last week or so we have been overran by a plethora of crane flys.

  If we leave on the porch light at night, the next morning it's crane fly city. When we leave the house they ascend out of the lawn and bushes and scare the kids (well only my daughter now, the boys are used to it). They are mating all over the place and some get stuck together like two dogs in heat (I've told the kids they're mating and so far no one has asked what that is...not sure if that's a good thing ). Hubby thinks we need to get an extermintator. I'm hoping it will all be over soon.

  Josie
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  REBORNAGAIN

  Are they a health threat? Do they bite/sting? I thought they were just innocent creatures, unless what we have up here are different? (look the same to me)

  LINDA
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  mrsjones5

  They don't bite or sting. They just sit around or fly around (looking a bit drunk), mate and eat. I read they make great bird food. Saw some robins on the lawn having a feast.
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  Bumble Bee

  Is this a seasonal thing?

  Up by the lakes we get Shad Flies in the spring, and in June we have the "June Bugs". No need for an exterminator because they only last for a short time then they are gone till next year.

  BB
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  Rabbit

  Nope...they're not harmful, just annoying sometimes. A lot of people are scared of them, because, they resemble mosquitoes -- on steroids ! I usually have to catch some in my hands to prove they don't bite or sting.

  And birds do love 'em.

  Rabbit (practices 'catch n' release' with these critters)
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  bebu

  I HATE crane flies--they always seem to fly right into my face. They have no idea what they are doing.

  We had a crane fly invasion in my hometown 20+ years back. For 2-3 years they were everywhere in the summer, and then they just went away (more or less). Hope yours will go away soon...!

  bebu
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  BluesBrother

  We had a plague of those over here about the end of last Summer,. We call them "Daddy Longlegs", is that universal? As they say, they are not harmful - even if they do give you the jeeps...The plague didnt last long. I do not think they live too long once they have hatched .
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  jeanniebeanz

  Ever had one of those dang things get stuck in your lipgloss?