"Phil L" wrote in message
.. .
Phil L wrote:
:: al wrote:
:::: In the last couple of weeks, we've been inundated with them.
:::: They seem to be attracted to light and fly in through any window
:::: or door open for more than 2 seconds!
::::
:::: What exactly are they? I've seen some contradictory accounts by
:::: Googling. Are they spiders? Why have I got so many? Do they
:::: nest? How can I get rid of them?
::::
:: They are craneflies.
:: Their grubs are known as leatherjackets and live in the soil (and
:: they are ugly as sin!)...no they don't nest, they're not spiders
:: and you can get rid of them by keeping windows closed when the
:: lights are on...also turn off any outside lights as they will hang
:: around and wait for you to open the door!
::


I meant to say the pointed ones are actually females, it's her
'thing'...she
lays eggs from it!

The adults do not eat anything but their larvae do, mostly vegetation in
the
soil.


I lost a pub quizz on that one... because the question originated from the
other side of the Atlantic!
In the US, pholcuses (those very long legged, and small bodied spiders which
live in the corners of our ceilings) are known as Daddy Long Legs - here
(Ireland/UK), the craneflies are known under that name.

My way of getting rid of them, is to look after my pholcuses - they eat the
most amazing amount of craneflies... I let them get a dinner or two, then
hoover up the remaining "parcel" of be-webbed dead cranefly...

Pholcuses are simply the best natural flying pest control there is... so
long as you're not arachnophobic :-)

--
Cat(h)
The world swirls...