Mayflies

Overview

Despite their name, m ayflies are not actually flies . Sometimes called shadflies and lake flies, t hey are aquatic insects and are an important food source for fish and reptiles. These insects get their name from their typical emergence during the month of May, though they can emerge earlier or later depending on the species and environmental conditions. Mayflies are known for their two or three tails that are often longer than their bodies. If you need to get rid of mayflies on your property, it is recommended you hire a pest control professional.

What Mayflies Look Like

Mayflies are slender , elongated insects with antennae , two pairs of wings and six legs . Additionally, they can have two or three tails, which are usually longer than their body. There are many species, with some as small as 1 mm long while others are up to 30 mm long. Their color can vary, though they usually have dark, dull-colored bodies and pale wings , typically yellow, gray or even clear. These aquatic insects will hold their wings together above their body when resting.

As mayflies are primarily an aquatic species, they spend most of their lives developing in the water. They are common around freshwater sources such as streams, lakes or ponds. Mayflies are often seen as a sign of healthy water ecosystems because they are very sensitive to pollutants. They have relatively short lifecycles. Females lay their eggs while flying low over the water or in the water directly, preferring clean, fresh water. Once the eggs hatch, these nymphs live near the bottom of the water, feeding on organic material. During this time as immature insects, fish and other insects will eat these nymphs. Once they mature, mayflies will leave the water, spending a day or two drying off and shedding their skin before flying away to mate. Males die after mating while females die after laying their eggs.

Mayflies are attracted to light and can become a nuisance when they gather at night near doorways or around lights, sometimes in large numbers.

Immature mayflies , also known as n ymphs , feed on microscopic algae and organic matter in the water. A dult s don’t have functioning mouthparts, and therefore do not eat . However, this isn’t an issue since mayflies only live as mature adults for a few days .

Behavior & Habitat

As mayflies are primarily an aquatic species, they spend most of their lives developing in the water. They are common around freshwater sources such as streams, lakes or ponds. Mayflies are often seen as a sign of healthy water ecosystems because they are very sensitive to pollutants. They have relatively short lifecycles. Females lay their eggs while flying low over the water or in the water directly, preferring clean, fresh water. Once the eggs hatch, these nymphs live near the bottom of the water, feeding on organic material. During this time as immature insects, fish and other insects will eat these nymphs. Once they mature, mayflies will leave the water, spending a day or two drying off and shedding their skin before flying away to mate. Males die after mating while females die after laying their eggs.

Mayflies are attracted to light and can become a nuisance when they gather at night near doorways or around lights, sometimes in large numbers.

Prevention & Control

While there is little that can be done to prevent mayflies altogether, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the severity of the numbers around the home. Homeowners should replace mercury-vapor lamps with high-pressure sodium vapor lamps, while white incandescent fluorescent bulbs should be replaced with yellow bulbs. It’s also best to ensure all door and widows are properly screened and secured, and to seal holes and cracks that might permit mayfly entry into the home.

If high populations of mayflies are present around the property, homeowners should call a pest control professional to properly handle the infestation.

Flies are a common pest around the world. Although flies have short lifespans, they are able to quickly reproduce in large numbers and are also capable of spreading various dangerous diseases. They are not the same! Learn about the differences between crane flies and mosquitoes. What are horse flies and how do you deal with them? Horse fly bites can ruin even the best beach days. See our tips on dealing with horse flies at the beach. Identify Pests Pest Control Tips About Commercial Services Find A Pest Pro Privacy Policy Terms of Use Site Map Brought to you by

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Common questions about Mayflies

What do Mayflies look like?

Mayflies are slender , elongated insects with antennae , two pairs of wings and six legs . Additionally, they can have two or three tails, which are usually longer than their body. There are many species, with some as small as 1 mm long while others are up to 30 mm long. Their co

How do I get rid of Mayflies?

While there is little that can be done to prevent mayflies altogether, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the severity of the numbers around the home. Homeowners should replace mercury-vapor lamps with high-pressure sodium vapor lamps, while white incandescent fluoresc

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