Craneflies – Management

Q: I’ve been invaded with European craneflies. They look like giant mosquitoes as they bump along windows and outdoor lights. What can I do to get rid of them and prevent future problems?

A: Thought they look menacing, cranefly adults are harmless. Their larvae can damage lawns when populations get high. This is not usually a problem in Georgia because our lawns dry out too often in summer. No insecticides are labeled for use on adult craneflies and I don’t think one is even warranted. Your best bet is to use a sticky fly control strip around outdoor lights.