Mayfly Control: How To Get Rid of Mayflies

This page is a general Mayfly control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will reduce the likelihood of Mayflies. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and you should see a reduction of Mayflies.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors for a picnic or swimming at the local lake there can be a few annoyances that can get in the way of a good time. One such annoyance is the Mayfly. These little flying irritants can put a damper on your outdoor experience since lakes, ponds and parks are where they love to gather.

Mayflies, also popularly known as shadflies or lakeflies, are aquatic insects that belong to the Ephemeroptera order, the same as dragonflies and damselflies. There are at least 3,000 species of Mayfly found across the world. They frequent around bodies of water and, during adulthood, their only objective is to mate and lay eggs, which only lasts a few hours before they die off.

Mayflies develop in ponds, lakes and rivers. While they are a pesky pest, in the aquatic ecosystem they play an important role as a food source for many aquatic animals like fish, frogs and other water-based insects. In fact, there are fishermen who use fake mayfly larvae and adults to try and catch trout.

While Mayflies do not create health hazards to humans or transmit disease, bite or sting, they can invade conducive areas in large numbers. Mayfly swarms can be so massive that they can completely cover roads, structures, cars, sidewalks, stores, and houses.

If you want to know how to get rid of Mayflies, follow our guide below to learn more about the Mayfly and how you can control an infestation on your property.

Identification

Before you can proceed with a treatment program, you need to identify and make sure that the pest you are dealing with is, in fact, a Mayfly. Careless identification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods, costing you time and money. Below we will share with you some traits so you know what Mayflies look like:

• Mayflies are a six legged insect that varies in size from 1/32 of an inch to over 1 inch.
• Mayflies can vary in color depending on species, but wings are usually clear colored.
• Unlike most flying insects, Mayflies have 2 pairs of wings, four in total.
• Mayfly wings have two to three long appendages or tails that extend from the posterior end of their bodies.
• When resting, Mayflies hold their wings upright and do not fold them like most flying insects.
• They invade in swarms sometimes in the thousands.
• The number of Mayflies that hatch each year is a good indication of water pollution near the bodies of water.
• Mayflies are found throughout the United States, especially near freshwater sources.
• Mayfly eggs are deposited in water and once hatched, the nymphs live at the bottom of the stream, pond or lake where they feed on small aquatic plants, animals and organic material.
• Typically, mayflies produce one generation annually and the adults of a particular species emerge in large numbers at the same time.
• On occasion, the emerging swarms of mayflies are so large that after the mating period where they die off, they literally cover the ground or water surfaces.

Use the image and description above to properly identify Mayflies. If you are not totally sure, contact us and we will assist you with correct Mayfly identification.

Inspection

Before proceeding with treatment, you need to know the areas that are attracting Mayflies. You're most likely experiencing an infestation because your home is close to a body of water and they were attracted by the lights of your structure at night.

During the inspection, you will be looking for conducive conditions that attract Mayflies. 

Where to Inspect

While mayflies like to primarily stick around bodies of water, they can be found in other areas. Mayflies are very attracted to light which can result in massive swarms of mayflies hanging around buildings at night. In the mornings,  piles of dead Mayflies can be found below lights and windows. In areas that see large swarms, Mayflies could affect driving conditions and visibility.

Standing water will attract Mayflies when they hatch, which they will need to deposit their eggs, and lights at night will also attract them. 

Search in your yard for any excess moisture, or standing water. If you have a pool, search there. Outside your property look in outdoor lighting, in front doors, porches, patios, and anywhere where there are lights that are turned on at night.

What To Look For

You're looking for outdoor lights and excess moisture. If you have a pool, make sure to keep it covered, especially during the months when they hatch. Also look around any outdoor lighting for signs of Mayflies.

If you have discovered any excess moisture (besides pools, ponds, or large bodies of water) or locations in the house where lights illuminate, especially at night, this is where we will apply treatment. Be sure to eliminate standing water and excess moisture before moving on with treatment.

Treatment

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

To successfully keep Mayflies away from your property, use Supreme IT Insecticide to create an insecticide barrier.

Step 1 - Outdoor Treatment with Supreme IT

Supreme IT is an effective insecticide concentrate that will target more than 70+ insects and will be used to create an insecticidal barrier around your property that will repel or kill Mayflies and other pests if they come into contact with the treated areas. Supreme IT has excellent residual control, remaining effective for up to 90 days.

Determine how much Supreme IT you will need to mix in your sprayer by measuring the square footage of your yard and property (measure and calculate length x width). 1 ounce of Supreme IT with a gallon of water will treat 1,000 square feet.

You will then do a perimeter treatment by spraying 3 feet up and 3 feet out from the foundation of your structure and outside perimeter of your structure. While spraying in this manner, you will also spray door frames, window frames, eaves, soffits, and electrical/plumbing penetrations. Also make sure to spray around light fixtures as it is a common spot where Mayflies congregate.

Do not let people or pets enter areas treated until 2 to 4 hours have passed.

Prevention

Prevention is the best cure when it comes to Mayflies infesting your property. There are many things you can do around your structure to prevent Mayflies but the best way to control them is during the months when they hatch and are active, keep all outdoor lights turned off, and to block light inside, with curtains or shades. If you can not turn off outdoor lights consider switching to yellow bug light bulbs.

Also, do your best to eliminate bodies of water around your property. Of course, if you live near a lake this is impossible, but if you have a pool in your home, take care to cover it during the months when they hatch, as the Mayflies will be looking for bodies of water to lay their eggs.

And finally, spray Supreme IT a month in advance before the Mayflies are expected to hatch, to have your home protected before they arrive. Mayflies are out in full force in May (hence their name), so conduct an application in early April.

Key Takeaways

What are Mayflies?

• Mayflies are flying insects that commonly infest residences because of their attraction to freshwater areas and lights.
• Mayflies like to mate as adults and deposit their eggs in standing water. In the summer months, particularly the month of May, large swarms of Mayflies hatch out of these eggs and can be very disturbing.

How To Get Rid of Mayflies

• Apply Supreme IT around the perimeter of your structure to keep Mayflies away from your property.

Preventing Mayfly Reinfestation

• Preventative applications of Supreme IT along with reducing light at night or changing to yellow bug bulbs and reducing standing water areas can keep Mayflies at a distance.