Remember how their bodies appear with similar colors to the wasp? Order: Diptera Official Common Name: Hover flies/Syrphid flies Hoverflies do not bite, sting, or harm people, which often leaves them defenseless in the face of predators. Wasps have stingers, and many people will probably back that up with personal experience. Clothing and Gear Protection: Unscented bug spray with Permethrin Odorless: Insect repellent lasts up to 5 washings or 40 days of Deet-Alternative: Also safe for use on dogs and horses. URLs accessed between 28 October & 03 November 2019: Author: Dr Tlou Masehela The stinger is usually not left in the attack site, but there is venom present. Call: 0800 160 999, Report complaints on environmental and/or social harms and gender discrimination arising from SANBIs activities Hoverflies use their distinct hovering ability to attract mates as well as to pollinate. How To Get Rid of Hoverflies in the Garden? The larvae eat small insects, like aphids, and the larvae of other flies. While they are commonly confused with bees, they are not part of the bee family. They consume fallen fruits, other insects, and even nectar. The availability of good floral resources (nectar and pollen) usually triggers the mating season for hover flies. Its also safe for use on your pets. How To Get Rid of Hoverflies in Conservatory?

The male initiates courtship and approaches the female from the back to mate. Remove small, fragrant, or brightly-colored flowers from the hoverfly-infested area. Asarkina), the eyes are large and red in colour. Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension, University of Wisconsin. & Ellis, W.N. (2004). Newton, B. Even if hoverflies can be beneficial for your outdoor spaces, it is never fun to have insects buzzing around in your conservatory when youre trying to enjoy a book and a cup of tea. Burning incense will also repel many types of bugs, including hoverflies. Place a few drops of aromatic essential oils on curtains, windowsills, and tablecloths. 3. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) contributes to South Africas sustainable development by facilitating access to biodiversity data, generating information and knowledge, building capacity, providing policy advice, showcasing and conserving biodiversity in its national botanical and zoological gardens. Diversity of hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) communities in different habitat types in Zanjan Province, Iran. They do indeed hover in one spot in the air. In females, the eyes are slightly smaller and not joined at the head. If the hoverflies keep coming back, you may need to invest in a trap such as flypapers or a bug zapper to keep them out of your conservatory. A hover fly. These ladies and gents have adapted those bright yellow bands to alert potential predators that they mean business. If not, you can use an electric or battery-powered fan to blow away hoverflies from sitting areas. The proboscis is used for nectar feeding in flowers, while in hovering mode or resting on the flower. Kingdom: Animalia Affiliate Disclosure However, the level of similarity of both the pitch and frequencies of these sounds is not fully understood. http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmay07/cd-hoverflies.html, www.arkive.org/common-wasp/vespula-vulgaris/, blogs.bu.edu/bioaerial2012/2012/12/05/hoverflies-no-theyre-not-bees/, What Is A Fruit Cocktail Tree? Succulent Karoo Programme Weems, H. V. (2000). Some hoverflies have round, shiny abdomens, but others can have narrow or hairy ones that make them more distinct. Similarly, a study in Iran looked at hover fly communities in four different habitat types: fruit gardens, rice fields, woodlands and riversides. Lastly, use diatomaceous earth to get rid of hoverflies food, such as aphids, which should encourage them to move on. To get rid of hoverflies on your patio, try using one or more of the following: If your patio has ceiling fans equipped, turn them on at full speed. Use fragrant essential oils and vinegar in homemade bug spray to repel hoverflies as a natural option. You may also want to treat your patio with vinegar and mint bug spray, which will keep away wasps, mosquitoes, hoverflies, and many other insects. The holes that let the hoverflies in are big enough to kill wasps and other large flying bugs, so this zapper does it all. In those months when your house seems to be swarmed with intimidating bugs, its important to understand that there are differences between wasps and hoverflies. For instance, hover flies have short antenna, whereas wasps have longer ones. If the weather is warm for a longer time than usual, the hoverflies may have had more time to reproduce, resulting in a huge population boom. Other types of hoverflies lay their eggs in septic water. If you are experiencing issues with wasps or hoverflies, we encourage you to take notice of the differences between them and act accordingly. Getting rid of hoverflies is just like getting rid of other types of flies. Adults feed on pollen and nectar of several flowering plants.

If you see am insect hovering like this, and its coloured the same as a wasp dont worry. Im Thomas Matthews, the guy behind Pest Samurai. They are capable of high-speed flights (up to 40 km/h) in any direction, generating aggressive buzzes, and they possess the ability to fly backwards. You can also use repellents such as essential oils, incense, and bonfires to scare off hoverflies. How To Get Rid of Spider Eggs? How can I get rid of gulls on the roof or house or buildings? The conservation status for hover flies has not been determined. Arctic regions) or high-altitude areas. The adults, however, usually feed on nectar and pollen. Hover flies have also been observed to quickly accelerate or take off in flight to avoid approaching predators. Dont know what they are !!! 19 Dunbarney Avenue What is clear is their importance for pollination and as biological control both aspects are of great benefit to humans.

January 2011. Since they have yellow and black markings, they are often confused with bees or wasps, but they are notably harmless and have no stinger. Hover flies get their name from the unique ability to hover in mid-air and above flowers. Hover flies are more compact and chunky, with no defined mid-section. Using traps to control the fly population in your house is the most efficient and reliable way to eliminate unwanted pests. It is suggested that when attacked, they respond with sounds that resemble the warning or startle sounds of wasps and honeybees. However, ideal habitat preferences may differ largely between species depending on their preferences across geographical region. Okay, so maybe Im exaggerating a little just a tad. About 230 species have been described within the southern African region, whereas the description at a global level is around 6000 species. Because of this lack of protective ability, they have evolved to look like stinging insects since predators such as spiders are unlikely to try to attack a wasp or bee. In some genera (e.g. However, some hoverflies lay their eggs in bee, termite, ant, or hornet nests. Kautz, A., Gardiner, M. M. (2016). Still, if you find your home or garden seemingly infested, they are pretty easy to kill and repel if you use the best methods such as essential oils, fans, and reliable fly traps. Hoverfly diversity (Diptera: Syrphidae) in a Mediterranean scrub community near Athens, Greece. I owned one and worked in several Pest Control service companies. A common feature across the genera is the black and yellow stripes covering the body. However, having too many of them can be annoying, especially if theyve invaded your living spaces. Mobile:07767 353535. When you are on your patio, burn oil torches with citronella oil or use fragrant, herbal incense to repel hoverflies. Still, there are some methods you can use to repel hoverflies that will keep them off your porch. Hover flies are among the most important pollinators globally, providing pollination services to many crops and natural vegetation. How Do I Get Rid of Hoverflies? Their unique design allows them to be excellent pollinators. That makes gardens and fields of wildflowers some of the best living areas for hoverflies. So, now you know what might have created that nest youve got. Repelling hoverflies can only help so much, and if you have a real hoverfly problem, you will want to use a trap to kill them. For the aquatic and semi-aquatic species, muddy areas in ponds and rivers are preferred to catch prey. Fortunately, there is one way to tell them apart. Mahr, S. Hover, Flower or Syrphid Flies (Syrphidae). Their flight is mainly characterised by the hovering pattern as their name suggests and they often hang idly in one spot for short periods of time. Some effective options include: The permethrin in this insect repellent makes it a long-lasting repellent for spraying curtains, tablecloths, patios, doors, and much more. Some of the best products to get rid of hoverflies are spray repellents, but electric zappers are also effective. Hoverflies can be beneficial for plants, but having too many in your yard can be annoying and overwhelming. Anti- Mosquitos Repellent Incense Sticks use Outdoor, Bug Zapper for Indoor & Outdoor, Electric Mosquito Zapper Killer, 4200V Electric Mosquito Killer, Waterproof Powered Electric Mosquito Zappers Killer, Powerful Insect Killer for Home Garden Backyard, RESCUE! There are several predators of hover flies. The larvae eat pest aphids on crops. One element that has been studied in a bit of detail, is their response to enemy/predator attacks. Because they can help you manage some other pests and pollinate flowers, many people find them beneficial in gardens. Its a hover fly. Still, if you have many aphids, hoverflies may lay eggs near your plants, resulting in an infestation. Read about SANBIs two Plants of the Week, Find out more about South Africas extraordinarily rich and diverse plant life as SANBIs horticulturists and botanists highlight two new [], Official common name: Black-footed cat Scientific name and classification: Animalia Chordata- Mammalia-Carnivora-Felidae-Felis-nigripes (Felis nigripes, Burchell 1824). In various instances, the larvae have been documented to play a major role in the biological control of important pests within agricultural landscapes. Use diatomaceous earth and other insecticides in your outdoor areas to kill aphids and other small insects that hoverfly larvae eat. Family: Syrphidae Latreille, 1802 (subfamilies: Eristalinae, Microdontinae & Syrphinae). They have the same black and yellow colouring on their bodies as wasps do too, making it even harder to tell them apart. Wasps are insects that belong to the order Hymenoptera. Oz, Handcraft Sweet Orange Essential Oil - 100% Pure and Natural - Premium Therapeutic Grade with Premium Glass Dropper - Huge 4 fl. Wasps eat a variety of meals. A fly spray made with vinegar, essential oils, water, and a touch of dish soap will also repel many insects, including hoverflies. As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. The clue is in the name. Their family, Syrphidae (with more than 6000 species), is among the three major groups of flies. Hover flies belong to one of the largest orders, Diptera, with about 16000 known species. Most studies suggest that they are widespread and not threatened. Outdoor Disposable Fly Trap, Green, 2 Pack, Dwcom 20 Packs Fly Tape, Fly Strips, Fly Paper Strips Roll Ribbon, Sticky Fly Traps hanging Catcher Gnat Fungus Trap Killer for Indoors Outdoors. Wasps live in nests made from chewed wood which has a distinctive paper-y look. extremely dry and hot environments), very low to freezing temperatures (e.g. Hover files have one pair of wings, which are often clear or may have smooth gradients of dark brown, yellow or black tinting. It is common for females to try and escape mating by flying away. For example, in summer the cycle might be shorter (about three weeks) and in winter quite a bit longer (approximately nine weeks). | A Complete Guide. Sprinkling insecticides like diatomaceous earth or baking soda on the ground around your plants or in areas where the hoverflies seem to gather will kill some of the larvae, reducing the hoverfly population significantly. In other documentation on survival strategies, the hoverfly larvae have been reported to develop an immune response to deter attacks from wasps. When it comes to repelling hoverflies, you can use almost any fly repellent. Email: sanbi@behonest.co.za The abdominal shape can be rounded, or slightly slender and elongated this varies across the different genera. Many people have seen hoverflies, but most people dont recognize them since theyre experts at mimicking stinging insects such as bees, yellow jackets, and wasps. According to Susan Mahr from the University of Wisconsin, some of the hoverflies favorite foods include small-flowered herbs such as: Hoverflies are also sensitive to cold temperatures. Hoverflies most commonly live in dense foliage near flowers, especially around aphid-infested plants. Heres how to tell the difference between wasps and hover flies, so you know whether to keep a wide berth or not. This article will cover everything from identifying hoverflies to what attracts them in your home. At the same time, the majority of the hover flies found the fruit garden and woodland suitable for foraging and shelter. They are huge, so they can last for a very long time, and they are super quick at killing mosquitoes and house flies, too. And this at times leads to their being confused with bees or wasps. We just talked about how wasps like to grub on other insects. The nesting may not be a dead giveaway as to what kind of pest youre dealing with. I have become obsessed with pest control. Im referring to little creatures known as hoverflies. Ohios Natural Enemies: Hover Flies. Rashed, A., Khan, M.I., Dawson, J.W., Yack, J.E. Have you noticed that wasps look as though their bodies are hinged in the middle? However, some of the common traits include: Wasps, on the other hand, typically have the following: It may seem pretty clear that insects need a way to protect themselves. When it comes to controlling insects, going the natural way can offer many benefits. Now, youre not going to hang around long enough to check the differences between the two. It is suspected that they can somehow sense the intruder as the escape manoeuvre is always in the opposite direction of the predator. If you believe that your hoverflies are laying eggs in an active beehive or wasp nest, you might want to call in a professional. 6. Step by Step Instructions, Getting Rid of Hoverflies in Some Specific Places. If you want to repel hoverflies from their nests, use vinegar and essential oil bug spray to force them to find a new nest. In most cases, there are so many hoverflies around when you have a large flower garden, have an aphid infestation, or if the weather has been warmer than usual.

Hover flies live for about a month and their life cycle takes place in four stages. You can use it on clothes, too, to keep many kinds of flies and bugs off of you. Hoverflies are generally not adapted to high temperatures and conditions of aridity bearing in mind that this might also not apply to all species, depending on their geographic distribution and habitat requirements. The larvae can consume between 70 and 100% of the aphid population in their vicinity. Hoverflies are attracted to warm spaces with plants nearby, so you might want to start by putting any flowers you keep in your conservatory outside if you wish to prevent hoverflies from breeding in your living area. 1. If there are hoverflies in your conservatory, you may want to use a fan, essential oils, or incense to repel them. Petanidou, T., Vuji, A. Generally, you should only kill the hoverflies in your garden if there are far too many of them since they can kill other pests and keep the plants in your garden healthy. Many types of hoverflies build nests in trees. While it may seem a little morbid, some wasps actually carry insects like caterpillars back to the nest to feed their growing young. ISRN Zoology. Treating your garden with a safe, all-purpose insect repellent should eliminate the hoverflies and other insects in your garden. While regenerating that venom does take time, the wasp can sting without dying as long as the stinger stays intact. Hoverflies only lay eggs where there are other pests like aphids, ants, termites, and wasps. This has earned them a status of being considered the second-most important pollinator after bees. For example, if a bird is approaching a hoverfly and he sees that wasp-like appearance, hes probably not going to bother the fly. How To Get Rid of Hoverflies in the House? Still, once the eggs hatch, they often eat other insects that invade the nest, protecting bees and other bugs from predators. The beneficial striped colouring of black and yellow not only makes them fit the description, but also misleads predators into thinking they can sting or bite. Still, adult hoverflies are usually 6 to 7mm long (2/10 of an inch). Well also cover the various ways of getting rid of them, and offer some options for products that are known to work well with these flower flies. There are no documented negative impacts associated with hover flies when it comes to their interactions with humans. For example, a study conducted in Athens (Greece) found seasonal variation as well as floral composition to be key drivers when it comes to habitat preference for different species.