If you've stepped outside to find your siding, screens and porch light covered with delicate winged insects, you may be seeing a mayfly hatch. Around your West Orange home, mayflies can appear in large numbers over a short time, and then disappear just as fast. They're harmless, but a big swarm is messy and a little unnerving. It's also easy to mistake them for other insects that do need attention. Below, we'll cover how to identify mayflies, why they gather around homes, whether they're harmful and why it's worth having a professional confirm what you're seeing before you spray. Our outdoor pest control team can help with that.
What Mayflies Are
Mayflies are an ancient group of insects that spend nearly all of their lives underwater. The young, called nymphs, live in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, where they feed on algae and bits of plant material. Depending on the species, nymphs can live underwater for months or longer.
When they're ready, nymphs swim to the surface and emerge as winged insects. Adults are easy to recognize:
- Wings. Held upright over the back, like a sail, with smaller hind wings.
- Tails. Two or three long, thin threads trailing from the end of the body.
- Body. Slender and soft, often pale yellow, tan, brown or gray.
Mayflies are unusual in that they molt once more after they already have wings. You may find their thin, empty skins stuck to walls and screens. Adults don't feed at all. They live for a very short time, often just a day or two, to mate and lay eggs back in the water.
Why Mayflies Swarm Around Houses
- Mass emergence. Many mayflies of the same species emerge at the same time, which leads to sudden swarms.
- Lights. Adults are strongly drawn to lights at night. Porch lights, garage lights and lit windows can pull them in from nearby water.
- Resting spots. After emerging, they rest on nearby surfaces like siding, screens, cars and plants.
- Weather. Warm, calm evenings tend to bring out more activity.
Different mayfly species emerge at different times, so you may see more than one hatch between spring and early fall. Each one usually lasts only a few days. Homes don't need to sit right on the water to see them, either. Mayflies can drift on the wind and follow lights some distance from the stream or pond where they grew up. That's why a swarm can seem to come out of nowhere, even when you can't see any water from your yard.
Mayflies are only one of many insects that gather at outdoor lights. Our guide on why bugs swarm porch lights explains what's going on and how lighting choices make a difference.
Are Mayflies Harmful?
No. Mayflies don't bite, don't sting and don't carry disease. They can't feed as adults, so they won't damage plants, wood or fabric, and they don't breed indoors.
The trouble is the mess. Large numbers can pile up on decks, steps and walkways, and dead mayflies can start to smell as they break down. Piles on stairs can be slippery. Their presence is actually good news about the water nearby, because many mayflies need clean, well-oxygenated water to survive.
Why You Should Call The Pros
Mayflies themselves rarely need treatment, and spraying them isn't usually helpful. A hatch is short-lived, and new mayflies keep arriving from the water. So why call a professional? A few good reasons:
- Confirm the insect. Non-biting midges, caddisflies, crane flies and mosquitoes can all show up at lights, and they need very different responses.
- Avoid wasted sprays. Treating a harmless swarm costs money and can affect beneficial insects without changing anything.
- Find entry points. If insects from outside are getting into your home, the problem is gaps around doors, windows and screens, not the swarm itself.
- Spot other issues. Lots of insects at lights also attract spiders, which may build webs around entries and eaves.
What You Can Do During A Hatch
- Turn off outdoor lights. Or use them only when needed during peak activity.
- Switch bulbs. Warm-colored or yellow bulbs tend to draw fewer insects than bright white ones.
- Close blinds at night. Lit windows draw insects to your screens.
- Check screens and door sweeps. Make sure small insects can't slip inside.
- Sweep or hose them away. Clear piles from steps, decks and walkways before they start to smell.
- Be patient. Most hatches pass in a few days.
When To Call A Professional
If you're not sure what's covering your house, if insects keep making their way inside or if spiders are taking over your entryways, it's time to call. Our NJ DEP-licensed technicians can inspect your home, identify the insects you're seeing and recommend a plan using Integrated Pest Management and EPA-registered, eco-safe products. We offer free inspections and same-day or next-day service.
A mayfly swarm is short and harmless, but knowing exactly what you're dealing with saves you time and money. A quick inspection gives you peace of mind about what's gathering at your West Orange home.