How to get rid of thunder flies and what causes them?
THUNDER flies can appear when the weather becomes particularly warm.
However, you might be wondering how to prevent them coming into your home.
What are thunder flies?
Thunder flies, also known as thrips, are bugs that are found in Britain.
There are around 150 species in the UK and the flies tend to feel in flowers and other plants.
Growth of plants may be affected when fed on by thunder flies.
What do thunder flies look like?
Thunder flies tend to vary in colour with the adult insects being narrow bodied and up to 2mm in length.
They have two pairs of strap-like wings which are fringed with hairs.
Younger bugs tend to be wingless, and are generally creamy yellow colour and paler than the yellowish-brown or blackish-brown adults.
Do thunder flies mean a storm is coming?
The short answer is no.
Some people believe that the arrival of thunder flies mean a storm is coming because they tend to appear during hot weather.
They may appear when thunderstorms are due but this is a coincidence.
Why do thunder flies keep landing on me?
You may find that thunder flies keep landing on you which could be down to what you are wearing.
These insects are attracted to bright colours so you could try to wear something lighter if they’re bothering you.
How to get rid of thunder flies
There are some ways to prevent thunder flies such as avoiding bright clothing, like mentioned previously.
Here are some ways to try and prevent thunder flies in your home:
- Keep plants in your house damp as the bug prefer dry plants.
- Avoid bright colours.
- Keep vacuuming your home.
- Add mesh to your open windows and doors to stop them getting through.
If you already have an infestation in your home, apply narrow-range oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soaps to the area.
This will reduce the amount of thunder flies and then make getting rid of them easier.