How to Get Rid of Crane Flies: Easy and Effective Tips

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Crane flies are large, gangly insects that resemble giant mosquitoes, often found near water sources. Although the adults do little harm, their larvae can cause significant damage to lawns by chewing on grass roots during their growth in spring. To protect your lawn and keep it healthy, it’s essential to know how to manage and prevent crane flies from infesting your garden.

One effective approach is adopting simple maintenance and irrigation practices which can go a long way in preventing crane fly larvae from damaging your grass. Proper lawn care can make your yard less inviting to these pests, while ensuring its long-term health and attractiveness. In the following paragraphs, we’ll discuss some methods to help you get rid of crane flies and protect your lawn from potential damage.

Understanding Crane Flies

Crane Fly vs Mosquitoes

Crane flies and mosquitoes are often confused due to their resemblance. However, there are some key differences:

Feature Crane Fly Mosquito
Body size Larger Smaller
Legs Long, delicate Shorter, less delicate
Wingspan Wider Narrower
Antennae Simple, short Longer, feathery
  • Crane flies are harmless.
  • Mosquitoes can transmit diseases.

Life Cycle of Crane Flies

Crane flies have a four-stage life cycle:

  1. Egg
  2. Larva
  3. Pupa
  4. Adult
  • Adults live for around two weeks.
  • Larvae are the stage that cause damage to lawns.

Common Species and Habitats

Two common species of crane fly are:

  • Marsh crane fly
    • Found in the Pacific Northwest
    • Multiple generations per year
  • European crane fly
    • Also present in the Pacific Northwest
    • One generation per year

Crane flies are usually found near water sources.

Identifying Infestations

To identify a crane fly infestation, look for:

  • Large, gangly insects with long legs
  • Damage to lawns, caused by larvae feeding on grass roots

Damage Caused by Crane Flies

Lawn and Garden Damage

Crane flies can cause significant damage to lawns and gardens. The most common issues are:

  • Damaged turf
  • Thinning grass
  • Brown patches

These problems occur due to the crane fly larvae feeding on the roots of grass and plants, weakening their overall structure and health.

Crane Fly Larvae and their Feeding Habits

Crane fly larvae, also known as leatherjackets, have specific feeding habits that cause damage to lawns and gardens.

  • They feed on roots and crowns of grass
  • Active during spring and fall
  • Prefer moist soil conditions

Lawn care plays a crucial role in preventing and controlling crane fly damage. Some effective measures include:

  • Proper irrigation
  • Regular aeration
  • Using appropriate pesticides
  • Timely fertilization

A comparison of damage between two common crane fly species, marsh crane fly and common European crane fly:

Marsh Crane Fly Common European Crane Fly
Multiple generations per year One generation per year
More frequent damage Less frequent damage

In conclusion, being aware of crane fly larvae feeding habits and taking proper lawn care measures can help prevent and control damage to lawns and gardens caused by these pests.

Natural Measures to Control Crane Flies

Encouraging Natural Predators

Attracting natural predators like birds, spiders, and predatory insects can help control crane flies in your garden. Here are some ways to encourage these predators:

  • Install bird feeders, birdhouses, and a bird bath to attract birds.
  • Add nematodes and fish to your garden ponds to control larvae.
  • Foster a diverse ecosystem to support a variety of natural predators.

Example: A bird bath will invite more birds to your garden, helping to reduce crane fly numbers.

Maintaining Lawn Health

A healthy lawn can defend itself against crane flies and their larvae. Here are some tips on maintaining a robust lawn:

  • Keep soil enriched with organic matter to encourage healthy grass growth.
  • Apply neem oil as a natural deterrent for crane flies and other pests.
  • Introduce beneficial nematodes into your soil to target crane fly larvae.

Proper lawn care can make a significant difference in managing crane fly populations.

Comparison Table

Encouraging Natural Predators Maintaining Lawn Health
Installing bird feeders, birdhouses, and bird baths Enriching soil with organic matter
Adding nematodes and fish to garden ponds Applying neem oil as a natural deterrent
Fostering diverse ecosystems for predators Introducing beneficial nematodes to soil

Chemical Methods to Eliminate Crane Flies

Insecticides for Larvae and Adults

One effective method of controlling crane fly infestations is using pesticides targeting both the larval and adult stages of the pest. For larvae management, insecticides like imidacloprid can be applied to infested lawns.

Adult crane flies can be controlled with pyrethroid-based insecticides such as lambda-cyhalothrin. When using insecticides, follow the manufacturer’s application guidelines to ensure safe and effective pest control.

Benefits of using insecticides:

  • Targets specific life stages, increasing effectiveness
  • Can provide quick results in pest reduction if applied correctly

Drawbacks of using insecticides:

  • May have negative environmental impacts if used excessively
  • Can affect non-target species, such as beneficial insects

Bug Control Recommendation Tool

What type of pest are you dealing with?

How severe is the infestation?

Do you require child/pet/garden safe treatments (organic)?

Are you willing to monitor and maintain the treatment yourself?


Preventative Treatments

A proactive approach to controlling crane flies involves using preventative treatments. Products like neem oil can deter adult crane flies from laying eggs on treated surfaces, thus reducing future larval infestations. Neem oil is a natural insecticide derived from the neem tree, making it a more eco-friendly option.

Benefits of using preventative treatments:

  • Helps to reduce future infestations
  • Neem oil is a more environmentally friendly option

Drawbacks of using preventative treatments:

  • May require repeated applications for continuous effectiveness
  • Not as effective on existing infestations

Comparison Table

Treatment Target Environmental Impact Effectiveness
Imidacloprid Larvae Moderate High
Pyrethroid Adults Moderate High
Neem oil Deter Egg-Laying Low Moderate

Preventing Future Crane Fly Infestations

Seal Entry Points and Improve Drainage

To prevent crane flies from entering your home, ensure that all doors and windows are properly sealed. For example:

  • Install tight-fitting screens on windows
  • Seal gaps around doors with weatherstripping

Improving drainage around your home can also help reduce crane fly infestations. For instance:

  • Clear gutters regularly
  • Ensure downspouts are directing water away from the foundation

Lawn Care and Maintenance Practices

Proper lawn care can minimize crane fly damage by reducing their larvae’s food source and living conditions. Some best practices include:

  • Mow your lawn regularly with a recommended height of 2-3 inches
  • Water your lawn deeply but infrequently, ideally in the early morning and not during winter

By following these simple steps, you’ll create a less inviting environment for crane flies and drastically decrease the chances of an infestation.

 

 

 

 

 

Phoretic Insect? or Accidental Hitchhiker???

 

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

    View all posts
Tags: Crane Fly

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