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Cluster flies can take hold of a property rather quickly and make your home nearly inhabitable in severe cases. Cluster flies infestation often start small and grow into significant issues that are incredibly difficult to eliminate efficiently. Fortunately, our team at Attic Projects offers professional cluster fly extermination in California that can help you take back your home at a fair and affordable price. What Are Cluster/Attic Flies? Cluster flies, also called attic flies, are pesky insects that often appear during spring. They are around 8mm long and sport a dark gray coat with patches of yellowish-gold hairs along their wings and back. Although most cluster flies lay eggs outside, they often infest homes before winter (usually around August) and hibernate throughout the season. Cluster flies enter properties through loose electrical outlets, roof eaves, holes around cables, vents, pipes, and gaps within your home. Their excrement can stain floors, walls, and furniture while causing an unpleasant odor that lingers throughout your residence. It’s best to eliminate cluster fly infestations swiftly to prevent the issues from spiraling out of control. How to Identify Cluster Flies Although cluster flies are relatively small, they usually travel in swarms, making them a bit easier to identify. Many homeowners notice numerous dead or lame flies around lighting and insulation. They also accumulate in lofts or attics and return yearly until you seal entryways and eradicate existing infestations. During the fall, cluster flies gather along exterior walls until they find a safe entryway. They typically hide in walls until temperatures rise and move to attics and similar areas later on. How Did Cluster Flies Enter Your Home? Cluster flies usually enter residences through gaps within the property. Vents, piping, roof eaves, and other small passages allow cluster flies to enter homes unnoticed. Once cluster flies enter

Having extra space in your home sounds like a great idea to everyone. It gives you more control of your home, maximizing its value and giving you room to grow. But one of your home’s most unused storage spaces might be out of sight and out of mind—your attic. Even if you already have some attic storage, you can still improve your setup to maximize the space. Before you go dusting off this neglected room, consider this guide on how to finish an attic for storage. The Importance of Finishing an Attic for Storage Since you probably don’t go into your attic every day, you may wonder if finishing it is worth it. When you finish your attic, you not only get extra storage space; you can also turn it into a bedroom, guest room, playroom, or other living space. A finished attic also boosts your property value and can attract more buyers when you sell your home. Finishing an attic completes the home and can even regulate the house’s temperature throughout varying seasons. Temperature regulation equals money and energy savings! What to Consider Before Finishing an Attic When asking, “how can I finish my attic for storage?” you must consider many factors, including your vision of the space. Every home project has its planning stage finishing an attic is no different. Before finishing your attic, consider the basics and rules. You should establish a plan that meets construction requirements: The rule of 7 requires your attic to be 7 feet wide, 7 feet high, and have at least 70 square feet of space You will need permanent access to the room, such as a staircase, or pull-down ladder You may need a permit if you are looking to add ventilation or electrical or knock down a wall Before starting

You might not think about your attic until it’s time to put up the holiday decorations, but attics are an important part of your home. Unlike other rooms, you’re not up in your attic every day, so it can be hard to see issues—leaks from the weather and discoloration. A deeper attic inspection can reveal even more hidden problems, but what do attic inspectors look for, and what happens during an inspection? What Is an Attic Inspection? An attic inspection occurs semi-annually or every few months to look underneath your home’s roofing. An inspector will scope out signs of a pest infestation, nests, leaks, and other common problems. Your inspector will provide a list of issues that can no longer go unfixed. The Need for an Attic Inspection While inspecting your attic yourself can be helpful if you’re looking for major, obvious damage, a professional inspector knows how to inspect hard-to-reach and hidden areas to list even minor damage in your attic. We recommend an inspection every six months at the beginning of spring and then after fall. An inspection should take one to two hours, depending on the damage or problems found. Most homeowners will only contact an inspector after they notice damage or a leak, but preventative inspections prevent these issues from happening in the first place. If you’re planning to sell your home, an inspection is a must to show potential buyers that there are no structural issues. Attic Inspection Checklist Whether you conduct inspections yourself or through an expert, an attic inspection checklist helps you track what to focus on for a future inspection. Ventilation The condition of your roof will determine your attic’s ventilation. Proper roof ventilation shuttles air underneath the roof’s sheathing and exits correctly. If there is poor ventilation, excessive hot air becomes