Wildlife Spotlight: Crane Flies
Ever spotted a gangly, long-legged insect that looks like a mosquito on steroids and thought, “Yikes—what is THAT?” Chances are, you’ve seen a crane fly.
These awkward, leggy insects are often confused with mosquitoes, but they’re not dangerous—and they’re not out for blood. In fact, they’re pretty harmless. Here's everything you need to know about crane flies, especially as they start showing up more in Dallas-Fort Worth yards this spring.
🦟 Are Crane Flies Giant Mosquitoes?
Nope! Crane flies may look like oversized mosquitoes, but they’re a totally different insect species. They belong to the family Tipulidae and don’t share the mosquito’s taste for blood—or much of anything, really.
❌ Do Crane Flies Eat Mosquitoes?
Another common myth: that crane flies are "mosquito hawks" that feed on mosquitoes.
👉 Truth: They don’t eat mosquitoes—or anything else, in most cases. Adult crane flies live very short lives and usually don’t feed at all. Their only job? Mate, lay eggs, and move on.
🪰 So What Do Crane Flies Do?
Crane flies begin life in moist soil as larvae (sometimes called "leatherjackets"). Some larvae feed on decomposing plant matter or roots, but adults pose no threat to people, pets, or your home.
You’ll often spot them:
Hovering near porch lights at night
Flying clumsily around your yard
Perched on walls or screens during early spring
They might look alarming, but rest assured—they’re all legs and no bite.
🧪 Why We Don’t Treat for Crane Flies
At Paragon Pest Control, we believe in targeted, responsible pest control—and that means focusing on pests that pose a threat to your health, home, or comfort.
Since crane flies:
Don’t bite
Don’t sting
Don’t damage your home
Don’t infest your indoor space
…we don’t recommend treatment. There’s simply no need!
If they’re swarming lights or flying indoors, try: ✔ Turning off porch lights at night
✔ Sealing doors/windows
✔ Letting them be—they’ll be gone in a day or two
✅ Focus on Pests That Do Matter
While crane flies don’t need our help, plenty of other pests do. If you’re dealing with:
Mosquitoes
Wasps
Rodents
Ants, termites, or roaches
—we’ve got expert solutions for long-lasting control.
Final Buzz: Harmless but Misunderstood
Crane flies may look intimidating, but they’re gentle, harmless flyers that get a bad rap. So the next time you see one bouncing around your porch light, just know: it’s not a mosquito, it’s not coming for you, and it’ll be gone soon.