How to identify and get rid of crane flies

What looks like the biggest mosquito you’ve ever seen is actually a harmless crane fly. Many myths and rumors about these flies abound. Some call them mosquito hawks or skeeter-eaters, thinking that they fly around snatching mosquitos from the air. Others call them daddy long legs due to their long, thin legs.

In reality, crane flies aren’t doing us any favors with their presence. Many species don’t even have mouthparts when they are adults, so you know they aren’t munching on mosquitos for us! They often have very short lifespans, and their one objective is to find a mate and then die. Or just hang out around our porch lights and screen doors for a few nights.

The larvae, on the other hand, can become quite the pests. Female crane flies lay their eggs in wet soil or in water. The larvae hatch and look like large maggots. They typically feed on organic matter in the soil or algae in water and can be beneficial to soil ecosystems. However, some species can feed on the roots and leaves of young plants.

The adults emerge in late summer and fall and can often accidentally find their way into our homes, attracted to lights. Wet years can cause crane flies to become prolific, and large swarms can be a nuisance for many homeowners.

Crane flies are easy to identify by their oversized appearance and gangly legs. They have long, transparent wings and a tendency to bob around when they fly, often bumping into windows or walls.

If you look close enough, you should be able to notice a V-shaped groove on the back of the crane fly and two drumstick-like appendages under the wings.

How big are crane flies?

Adult crane flies can grow to about 2.5 inches from tip to tip of their outstretched legs.

What other pest looks like a crane fly?

Crane flies are often mistaken for large mosquitoes. However, mosquitoes will have a long proboscis or straw-like mouthpart to suck your blood, whereas many crane flies lack mouthparts.

Crane flies are found throughout the United States, thriving in moist environments like wetlands, meadows, and grassy areas. You might find crane flies in your yard, particularly around damp areas such as garden mulch, under leaves, or near water features. They sometimes enter houses accidentally, especially through open windows or doors.

Crane flies can become annoying as they find their way into your home or swarm around your porch lights. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to minimize their presence:

• Reduce Moisture: Address damp conditions in the yard by improving drainage and clearing up wet, organic debris.
• Physical Barriers: Install screens on windows and doors to prevent crane flies from entering the home.
• Light Management: Reduce outdoor lighting or use yellow “bug lights” to decrease attractiveness to these insects.
• Bug barrier: Spray and maintain a bug barrier with a great quality product like Pestie. This will eliminate these pests from your home and prevent others from coming into your home.