What are Mosquito Eaters?

While it is a great idea to take advantage of warm weather and go outside for a walk, such as in Alexandra Meadows Park in Forth Worth, Texas. You must also be aware that pests will also benefit from these activities. One of the peskiest and most dangerous pests is mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases like Zika, West Nile, and Malaria.

Lately, you may have seen giant, leggy insects bumbling around your walls and windows. Many call these giant mosquitoes mosquito eaters and hawks, but these are a type of crane fly. So what are crane flies? Can this eat mosquitoes? This blog post will discuss what a crane fly is if they really do eat mosquitoes, and how you can get rid of them.

What are crane flies?

Crane flies belong to the family Tipulidae (Crane Flies), to the order Diptera (True flies). They are the largest among that order, with 15,270 known species and over 1500 from North America. Crane flies have slender bodies with long brittle legs. That is why they are sometimes referred to as, giant mosquitoes and mosquito eaters, although their wings lack scales. They are brownish in color, and their wings usually have dark markings.

Adult crane flies’ size can range from almost 1.2 inches long. The mosquito-like appearance is superficial since they don’t suck blood and are actually harmless to humans. The deep V-shaped notch on the top (dorsal surface) of this animal’s thorax makes it such a fascinating species. Their antenna is very short, and they have only one pair of wings.

Crane fly larvae, also called leatherjackets, due to their dark and tough skin that looks like leather. They spend most of their time in the soil, eating grass roots and other organic matter. Their mouths are designed for chewing.

Do They Really Eat Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are one of the most hated insects for many reasons. Not only because they’re annoying, but they can transmit diseases to humans. So it’s no wonder people are looking for ways to get rid of them.

Do crane flies help with that? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Unlike other pests, crane flies don’t eat mosquitoes. In fact, they eat very little, as they only live for just a matter of days. Instead, crane flies spend most of their life underwater or in other damp places as larvae, and as an adult, mating before they die.

How to Get Rid of Crane Flies?

Although crane flies are not dangerous, their larvae (leatherjackets) can damage your lawn by eating the roots of grasses. If you have a crane fly infestation, removing their breeding ground, damp soil is the best way to get rid of them. You can do this by improving drainage in your yard and keeping it clean from debris.

Crane flies are attracted to light, so you can also use traps to catch them. But the most effective way to get rid of them is to contact a pest control professional.

If you see crane flies in your home, it’s probably because they came in through an open door or window. To prevent them from entering, make sure to keep your doors and windows closed, especially at night when they are most active. You can also use screens to keep them out.

Crane flies may look like giant mosquitoes, but they are harmless to humans. They don’t eat mosquitoes and only live for a few days. The main thing to consider is that adult crane is not harmful to humans, but their larvae can damage your lawn. If you want to get rid of crane flies, the best thing you can do is to focus on their larvae stage. You can get rid of them by removing their breeding ground. If you have a crane fly infestation, the best way to get rid of them is to contact a pest control professional.