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Crane flies look like large mosquitoes . They can have a 2.5 - inch wingspread , and they are often yellow , brown , crimson , or gray . Crane flies have longsighted antennae , and the female person has a stinger - like ovipositor she uses to lay eggs in lawns . A Stephen Crane fly , sometimes spell cranefly , may front heavy , but it does n’t bite or circularize disease . Adult crane flies are harmless , but it ’s their larvae that can do some knockout wrong to lawn and gardens .

A crane fly ball infestation will come along as unhealthful white-livered grass , patches of dead brown pot , or spare dirt region . Extensive areas of larvae will draw grub - hunting marauder like birds and skunks , and they will dig at the lawn to get at the larva . If you have a crane fly job , you may be wonder how to get free of Grus flies . Here are some methods to get rid of this trouble . However , if the problem persists , do n’t hesitate to hand out to a professional : an expert will have the prick and cognition to root out the situation in the most effective path .

How to Get Rid of Crane Flies

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Time required : A few hoursDifficulty : BeginnerEstimated cost:$20 to $ 300

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Before You Begin…

What do crane flies eat ? Grus fell larvae provender below the surface and eat roots , blades of grass , and other garden plants . Hart Crane fly larvae , sometimes called leatherjacket , can be dark-green , clean , or chocolate-brown and endure up to a year underground . They consume all they can until they egress from the ground as adult crane flies . An adult crane fly , also known as a mosquito hawk or mosquito eater , does n’t consume — it will take all it can in its larval stage and go for only a few days .

Crane Flies vs. Mosquitoes

Tips for How to Get Rid of Crane Flies

Safety Considerations

STEP 1: Identify crane flies and their larvae.

If you acknowledge patch of yellow or brownish skunk on your lawn , audit the stain for grounds of crane fly larvae . rationalise a square - foot section of the lawn and examine it for the front of leatherjackets . They look like picayune worms and can be light-green , whitened , or brown . They are most active in the spring and the fall and prefer wet area . If Harold Hart Crane fell larvae are eating your lawn , play cursorily to forbid any lasting damage .

STEP 2: Attract natural predators to your yard.

Birds will eat both adult Harold Hart Crane fly sheet and the larva . Attract birds to your yard by installing Bronx cheer feeders , birdhouse , and hoot baths . When the birds come to your yard , they ’ll instinctively search out bug to eat . If the birds have a dependable and comfortable lieu to live and nest , they ’ll stay and rust as many crane flies as they can .

STEP 3: Try natural options like neem oil, garlic, or essential oils.

Neem oil is a natural pesticide made from the seeds of the Azadirachta indica tree . It ’s used to treat and ascertain pest by interfering with the insect ’s power to lay eggs and provender . It has dispirited perniciousness to humans and darling and make for well with dish max or insecticidal soap . It can be sprayed on plant or affected areas . Garlic is another instinctive insect repellent . It can be chopped up , mixed with water , and spray on the lawn with a garden spray . Garlic can also be scattered across infested areas of the lawn . Essential oil can force back adult crane aviate from laying eggs in the lawn . Peppermint or lavender oils can be mix with water and sprayed on the lawn with a garden sprayer . But keep in head that some of the essence oils can be harmful to pets and grass .

STEP 4: Spray an insecticide like imidacloprid or pyrethroid.

Commercial insecticide like imidacloprid or pyrethroid are effective against crane fly . These insect powder can come in liquid or granular form . They cause paralysis and kill the larvae in the lawn . It ’s recommend to apply insecticides in early to mid - April , right after the eggs incubate . Always read the instructions and follow lotion guideline . Wear protective wear , a mask , and gloves to prevent breathe it in or contact with cutis .

STEP 5: Maintain your lawn.

Maintain your lawn by follow a watering schedule of less than 1 to 1.5 column inch per week , fertilize , mow , remove thatch , and aerate . If your lawn is mop and well consume care of , crane flies will be less attract to it since they wo n’t have moist areas to call home .

STEP 6: Avoid wet patches on the lawn.

Crane fly larvae thrive in wet lawn . Avoid overwatering the lawn , and make indisputable that your lawn has adequate drain . This will monish grownup crane pilot from laying their egg there and having a well-off home .

STEP 7: Hire a professional.

If your crane fly problem is too much to handle on your own , or if you do n’t have the fourth dimension or the desire to handle insecticides , bring in a professional . Pest control professional have the experience and experience the right proficiency to deal with a crane fly infestation . They will come to your house , assess the trouble , and produce a programme for your singular place .

By following these steps , you should be able to eliminate a crane fly plague and prevent them from returning with right lawn - concern maintenance and aeration . Keep the differences between mosquitoes and Hart Crane flies in mind , always use caution when using natural or commercial insect powder , and call in a professional if the problem is too much for you to attempt on your own .

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How to Get Rid of Crane Flies Before You Begin

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How to Get Rid of Crane Flies Attract Natural Predators

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How to Get Rid of Crane Flies Avoid Overwatering the Lawn

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