Caddisfly Control: How To Get Rid of Caddisflies

This page is a general caddisfly control guide. Using the suggested products and methods will reduce the likelihood of caddisflies. Follow this guide and use the recommended products; we guarantee a great reduction in the population of caddisflies.

If you own or live near a pond or a lake, you may have noticed a winged cream-colored insect that swarms in huge numbers and looks similar to a moth. That insect is a caddisfly. While these insects mainly stay near bodies of water, they may wander off and end up in homes, where they can be a troublesome pest, especially when they swarm in large numbers.

Caddisflies are heavily attracted to light and may have wandered away from their aquatic habitats due to the lure of home lighting. They do not harm people with stings or bites or damage structures, but they can be a nuisance when present.

While adult caddisflies only live for a few days once they reach adulthood, they do not breed and develop inside homes and buildings. Caddisfly swarms can occur practically any time of the year, so if they are a problem for you, hoping for a season of relief may not happen.

If you have a caddisfly issue in or around your home, there is a way to get rid of them. Our DIY guide below covers how to handle them and the best products for controlling them.

Identification

Before progressing with treatment, you need to be certain that you are dealing with a caddisfly and not some other insect. Listed below are some common traits of caddisflies:

• Caddisfly adults are long and slender and can range between a quarter of an inch and an inch long. They can vary in color depending on the species but are usually pale brown to tan.
• Caddisflies have two pairs of hairy-textured wings held in a tent over their body when at rest. Their antennae are as long or almost as long as their entire body. They normally stay near freshwater bodies but may wander onto homes, usually by accident.

Use the description and image above to help you identify caddisflies on your property. 

Inspection

Inspection of your property is crucial for complete control. During the inspection, you will identify areas that caddisflies might be attracted to after they hatch and fix them to prevent most of the swarm from contacting your property. 

Where To Inspect

Since most infestations occur outdoors, begin your inspection outside. Search outdoors in patios, porches, front doors, and driveways. Also, search for excess moisture on your property and yard. If you have a pool, search there as well.

What To Look For

You're searching for excessive moisture and outdoor lights. If you have a pool, keep it covered during the months when the caddisflies are expected to hatch. One of the most obvious signs to watch for is caddisfly adults showing up around light sources at night. A few may not be a big problem, but it can become an issue when large swarms of caddisflies are attracted to the light and make their way into homes by accident, landing on walls and surfaces.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed the conducive conditions that attract caddisflies, it is time to treat them. Remember to read all product labels, follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

Our main recommendation for removing caddisflies and keeping their swarms at bay is a barrier application of Supreme It Insecticide. Supreme IT contains bifenthrin and delivers a quick knockdown while carrying a long residual, staying effective for up to 90 days after application.

Step 1: Outdoor Treatment with Supreme IT

Mix 0.33 to 1 fl. oz of Supreme IT with a gallon of water inside a pump sprayer. This application rate will treat 1,000 square feet.

You will then do a perimeter treatment around your structure by spraying 3 feet up and 3 feet from the foundation. Spray in this manner all around your property. Remember to spray window frames, door frames, eaves, soffits, and electrical/plumbing penetrations.

Do not allow people or pets to enter treated areas until the spray completely dries. 

Prevention

After treating for caddisflies, it's best to eliminate the chances of a return by enacting preventative measures.

• To deter caddisflies from coming close to your property, eliminate bodies of water near your structure. By eliminating possible bodies of water or covering your pool, you will prevent caddisfly from coming close to your property since they will seek bodies of water to drop their eggs.
• Also, do your best to keep all outdoor lights turned off during the months when caddisflies are expected to hatch so they won’t be attracted to your property. If the lights can not be turned off, consider switching them to yellow bug bulbs, which might attract fewer bugs, including caddisflies. And finally, spraying Supreme IT before the caddisflies hatch will prepare your home before they invade.

Key Takeaways

What Are Caddisflies?

• Caddisflies are aquatic insects that hang around lakes, ponds, and other freshwater areas. Their attraction to light can lure them to a home structure where they can be a nuisance.

How to Get Rid of Caddisflies

• To control caddisfly infestation, apply Supreme IT Insecticide as a barrier treatment around the structure's perimeter.

Prevent Caddisflies Reinfestation

• Prevent future caddisfly invasions by reducing outdoor light or changing to yellow bug bulbs. You can also use Supreme IT as a preventative treatment during caddisfly season.