Why do flies hover around chandeliers?

It is not uncommon to see flies circling around light sources, especially chandeliers and ceiling lights. They can become annoying and invasive even after several attempts at getting rid of them.

How can this phenomenon be explained? Is there an effective solution to avoid them? We answer you in this article.

A confusion between the light generated

The first hypothesis of this phenomenon is the fact that flies merge the artificial light generated by the chandelier with natural light during the night. Like all insects, flies seek to reach a light source to rest or turn around. They even come to confuse light and safety to better avoid obstacles in their path.

Generally, flies use the direction of the sun's rays to orient themselves. They maintain their flight angle according to this direction outdoors. Indoors, the rays are spread evenly in all directions, which naturally affects the flies' flight. To maintain a constant angle, they must fly in circles around a light source.

And compared to natural moonlight, chandelier lights provide super-stimulating light. This light source will be hard for insects to resist, hence the fact that they circle around it at dusk.

Especially since some users turn on the lamps all day long to effectively trick insects into differentiating between lights.

An explanation related to the reproduction of flies

Light sources can be an element that promotes the reproduction of flying insects. Indeed, flies gather around a light point to look for a partner to reproduce.

Outdoors, they target bushes and trees exposed to natural light, while indoors, they hover around chandeliers and overhead ceiling lights. Both male and female flies head toward this landmark in search of candidates who will match their expectations.

Male flies first place themselves on the area where the chandelier is located to settle and wait for suitors. Since they cannot hover, they simply circle around the chandeliers to find their partner. This circling flight also serves as a way to signal their presence .

If another male fly approaches the light point, the first fly tries to chase it away to make it understand that it is its territory. If this happens, the second fly moves its distance downwards to continue its patrol.

In general, we spot the first flies installed higher up than the last ones to arrive. And if the male flies arrive from below, the female flies arrive from the sides to easily choose the ideal candidate.

On the other hand, this phenomenon is not necessarily linked to the artificial light of the chandelier. It is particularly due to the height of the location of the chandelier in a room. Indeed, flies naturally choose the highest and most reassuring point to find their partner. The behavior of flies can then be justified even in broad daylight and can last a long time.

Chandelier: a deadly trap for flies

Although this phenomenon is natural for insects and flies, it can become a death trap for them. Indeed, the light source can be too strong to attract them into the trap. By dint of circling around the chandeliers, they become exhausted and end up falling to the ground and dying.

In addition, the light intensity can create a warm effect that kills flies that get too close. It is not uncommon to find dead flies under chandeliers and ceiling lights .

Solutions to avoid this phenomenon

There are natural ways to prevent these insects from flying around the house and especially around chandeliers. Flies can be a nuisance to both occupants and guests.

Generally speaking, flies are attracted either by food , or by smell or by light as Alexandre Jarry explains in his books. Here are some examples to effectively combat their proliferation on the chandeliers of the house:

• Fly papers
• Essential oils
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Cloves.