Why Do Crane Flies Fly at You?

You’re minding your own business when a leggy flying thing darts straight at your face. You flinch. Probably swear. Maybe spill your tea.

Sound familiar?

If so, you’ve likely had a run-in with a crane fly — those lanky, bumbling insects that seem to have a knack for head-on collisions. But despite what it might feel like, crane flies aren’t attacking you.

In fact, they’re not attacking anything.

Let’s clear up the myths, look at what crane flies actually are, and cover what you can do to keep them from becoming an annoying nuisance.

What Are Crane Flies?

Appearance and Identification

Crane flies are often mistaken for giant mosquitoes. And while they look like they could suck the blood out of a horse, they’re entirely harmless.

Here’s how to spot one:

• Long, dangly legs that look like they might snap in the wind
  
• Slender body — mosquito-like, but much larger
  
• Clumsy flight — like they’re trying to steer with spaghetti

Depending on the species, their wingspan can range from 1.5 to 6.5 cm.

Pro Tip: If you see one resting on a wall, it’ll likely be completely still — a perfect moment for ID without the panic.

Life Cycle

Crane flies go through four life stages:

1. Eggs (laid in soil)
   
2. Larvae (known as leatherjackets)
   
3. Pupae
   
4. Adults
   

It’s the larvae that do all the eating. They live underground, feeding on grass roots and decaying matter. Adults, by contrast, live just a few days — long enough to mate and lay more eggs.

They don’t eat. At all.

Why Do Crane Flies Fly at You?

Let’s bust this myth straight off the bat: they’re not aiming for your face.

So why do they end up there?

It’s Not Personal – It’s Poor Flying

Crane flies have weak flight muscles and zero navigational skills. Unlike wasps or bees, they aren’t wired for targeted flying.

Think of them like the dodgy trolleys at the supermarket — they don’t go where they’re meant to.

So if a crane fly buzzes your face, it’s not an attack. It’s bad luck and bad flight coordination.

Light Attraction and Confusion

Crane flies are highly phototactic, which is a fancy way of saying they’re drawn to light like moths.

Your phone screen? Light source.

Your bright hallway? Light source.

Your face? Often right in front of a light source.

So when they fly toward you, they’re likely being pulled in by lights, not you specifically.

You’re a Warm Landmark

You emit heat and carbon dioxide, especially around your head and shoulders. While crane flies don’t bite, they can still sense this warmth.

It’s enough to confuse them during flight and draw them closer.

Combine that with their clumsy steering, and boom — you’ve got a surprise visitor to your personal space.

Do Crane Flies Bite or Sting?

Let’s put this one to bed: crane flies do not bite, sting, or feed on blood.

Unlike mosquitoes, crane flies don’t have the mouthparts needed for biting. In fact, many adult crane flies don’t even have functioning mouthparts at all.

They’re not interested in you, your pets, or your pint.

This myth probably persists because of how similar they look to mosquitoes — especially when they’re whirring around your ceiling light. But that’s where the similarities end.

Crane Flies vs. Mosquitoes: How to Tell Them Apart

Feature	Crane Flies	Mosquitoes
Size	Larger, leggier	Smaller, more agile
Flight	Erratic and weak	Swift and targeted
Behaviour	Passive, easily startled	Aggressive when feeding
Risk to Humans	None	Can transmit diseases

Tip for Businesses: If you’re running a restaurant, hotel or retail venue and you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with mosquitoes or crane flies, get a professional inspection. The implications are very different. In either case, we can resolve the problem for you so get in touch!

Where and When Are Crane Flies Most Active?

Seasonal Activity

You’ll see crane flies mostly in spring and autumn, especially after periods of heavy rain. Moist soil triggers the emergence of adults, which then take flight in search of a mate.

It’s a short-lived frenzy — the adults usually only live a few days.

Commercial Site Hotspots

Some environments are a magnet for crane flies and their larvae (leatherjackets):

• Lawns and grassy verges
  
• Well-irrigated sports fields
  
• Areas near bright lights
  
• Warm, sheltered spots
  

If your site fits any of these, crane flies will likely make an appearance.

Are Crane Flies a Problem for Businesses?

Nuisance, Not Danger

While crane flies won’t damage your stock or spread disease, they can still be a reputation risk:

• Guests might confuse them with biting insects
  
• Their flight can startle customers and staff
  
• Leatherjackets (the larvae) can damage turf — especially on golf courses, sports fields, and hotel lawns
  

For businesses that care about first impressions, this matters.

How to Reduce Crane Fly Activity

If you’re dealing with regular crane fly appearances, the good news is this: there’s plenty you can do to manage them proactively.

1. Reduce outdoor lighting, in certain areas, or use yellow “bug lights”.
2. Improve drainage – since crane fly larvae thrive in moist soil, if you improve solid drainage it can help.
3. Keep grass mowed, aerated, and fertilised properly
4. Install mesh screens on windows
5. Use Air Curtains – a powerful tool for retail or hospitality entrances.
   
6. Limit Attractants such as light bly closing curtains
   

Consider Commercial-Grade Light Traps

For some businesses, especially those in hospitality or retail, a UV light trap can be a smart investment.

Just be sure to:

• Install it away from public view
  
• Place it at the right height (usually 1.5 to 2 metres)
  
• Maintain it regularly for best performance
  

We can help you choose and install the right unit based on your site’s layout and risk profile.

Don’t Panic — But Do Manage Crane Flies

So, the next time a crane fly makes a beeline (or more accurately, a wobbly zigzag) for your face, don’t panic.

They’re not after you. They’re just rubbish at flying.

But for commercial property managers, hoteliers, facility teams and groundskeepers, it’s still worth paying attention. Left unmanaged, crane fly larvae can damage lawns, and the adults can create a less-than-welcome experience for guests and staff.

At Merlin Environmental, we specialise in proactive commercial pest control that’s:

• Fast and discreet
  
• Scientifically backed
  
• Fully tailored to your premises
  

Whether you’re dealing with crane flies, leatherjackets, or any other pest concern, we can help you stay ahead of the problem — protecting your business, your reputation, and your customers’ peace of mind.

Contact us for expert advice and rapid nationwide support.