If you live in Grand County, Colorado, and find your home frequently littered with dead bugs and flies, you’re not alone. While it’s a common nuisance for many homeowners, it seems especially prevalent in certain types of homes—particularly log homes. Understanding why this happens can help you take steps to reduce the issue.

There are a few key reasons why bugs and flies seem to favor homes in Grand County:

1. Seasonal Invasion: Overwintering Insects
   • Fall is peak time for certain bugs like cluster flies, boxelder bugs, and ladybugs to invade homes. These insects seek warmth and shelter to survive the harsh winter months.
   • Cluster flies, in particular, are notorious for sneaking into homes during cooler weather. Once inside, they can hide in attics, wall voids, and other tight spaces, emerging sporadically and often dying indoors.
2. Construction Materials and Gaps
   • Log homes, common in Grand County, are more prone to insect issues because the natural materials have small cracks and crevices that can expand or contract with temperature changes. These gaps provide easy entry points for bugs.
   • Even well-built homes have small entry points around windows, doors, and vents where bugs can squeeze through.
3. Altitude and Climate
   • Grand County’s high altitude and cooler climate create conditions where bugs like cluster flies thrive. They are drawn to the warm, sunny sides of homes and can easily sneak in through gaps.
   • The wooded, rural settings of many Grand County homes also mean more bugs in the surrounding environment.

You might clean your home thoroughly only to find dead bugs piling up shortly after. Why does this happen?

1. Emerging From Hiding
   • Many bugs enter your home to hibernate. When the indoor temperature warms up (due to heating or sunny days), they emerge from their hiding spots and quickly die from dehydration, starvation, or exhaustion.
2. Increased Indoor Activity
   • Homes with forced-air heating or bright lighting may disturb hibernating insects, causing them to come out and die in living spaces.
3. Log Home Factors
   • Log homes often have a larger number of cracks and crevices, meaning there are more hiding spots for bugs—and more places for them to emerge from.

Our team has experienced firsthand how stubborn this problem can be. Here are some photos we took before, during, and after a cleaning session. These images show how quickly dead flies can start building up again, even after a thorough clean.

Image by Wheatley Creek Services

Image by Wheatley Creek Services

While it’s nearly impossible to stop all bugs from entering your home, these tips can help reduce the problem:

1. Seal Cracks and Gaps
   • Inspect your home for small entry points around windows, doors, and vents. Use caulk, weather stripping, or foam sealant to close these gaps.
   • Pay special attention to log homes, as the natural material tends to expand and contract, creating tiny openings over time.
2. Install Proper Screens
   • Make sure all windows and vents are properly screened. Replace any damaged screens to prevent bugs from slipping through.
3. Pest Control Treatments
   • Professional pest control companies can apply treatments to reduce overwintering bug populations like cluster flies.
4. Regular Cleaning
   • Keep a handheld vacuum handy to quickly clean up dead bugs before they accumulate.
   • Clean window sills and corners regularly, as these are common areas where dead bugs gather.
5. Essential Oils and Natural Repellents
   • Bugs dislike certain scents, such as lavender, eucalyptus, and citronella. Consider using these around windows and entry points as a natural deterrent.
6. Consider Storm Windows
   • Adding storm windows can help reduce drafts and entry points for bugs, while also improving your home’s insulation.

If you live in a log home, this issue might feel amplified. Here’s why:

• Natural Material: Wood provides more hiding spots for bugs compared to drywall or other materials.
• Expansion and Contraction: The logs naturally shift with temperature changes, creating gaps.
• Wooded Surroundings: Many log homes are in rural areas, surrounded by trees and vegetation that harbor bugs.