Getting rid of flies

BertieMeldrew

We often get them (cluster flies) in the loft but, whilst we are totally surrounded by farm land, I'm not convinced it's connected... reckon it's just as likely to happen in twon centre! Problem is, of course, if they can in there where it's warm, as they inevitably will, and lay some eggs

TNG

We have been plagued by the little blighters too.

Came down this morning and found four of them in a half finished glass of orange juice (thank you DS1!!). Maybe this is an alternative to the vinegar/clingfilm route

HTH

thriftlady_2

Our fly problem has all but gone now that the weather has turned cold

Trishh_2

I had them during the summer. I have a money plant on the kitchen windowsill which had quite a few fallen leaves. Apparently the rotting leaves attracted them and there were loads of eggs in the soil. I stripped out the soil, washed the roots under running water and repotted the plant in fresh compost. As long as I remove any fallen leaves I don't get them anymore. Seems to be rotting organic matter that attracts them, then eggs are laid. Yuk!

Gryfon

We had fruit flies in the summer, but one time I realised they were swarming over a bag of potatoes I'd forgotten about in the cupboard! It was minging and so I had to have a go at it with bleach!

If they're in the compost bin I wouldn't worry as they'll help break down the rubbish.

In the house though I advise checking all fruit and if possible covering fruit or putting it in the fridge.

Agutka

I'm sure my flies transferred into the house from the compost bin (millions of them. The vinegar routine worked wonders, as did the glass of red wine hubby couldn't finish one night (yes this is a regular occurance! The waste). Three days to complete annihilation.

Danni

We used fly paper. Put it up a couple of months ago and it's covered. Did help a lot though.

Might take it down now it's getting colder.

frosty

Hi everyone,

We have been invaded by fruit flies aswell,:eek: just by chance I left a drop of baileys in a glass,the following morning there was lots of dead flies in it:j ,so I have been leaving a small amount in a glass all the time and they seem to like it and its a nice way for them to die.(drunk).:rotfl:

Vashti

We have been leaving our back door open in this lovely weather, for the dogs, one of whom had four of the cutest puppies three weeks ago and she is desperate to get away from them for short periods now!

We always have a terrible problem with those small flies that congregate and buzz around ceiling level..they are driving me dotty.

We bought one of those expensive ultra violet light zappers from Costco last year, and while it gets the daddy long legs in the spring, flies just don't seem to be bothered by it. I have hung three old fashioned fly papers from the centre light, but they are as empty as a hermits address book...:) Either the flies have got radar, or my sticky isn't sticky enough.

I don't want to use aerosols - mainly 'cos of the new puppies in their whelping box - but I don't like the idea of spray poison in the kitchen anyway.

Thought about a fly screen at the door...but that would involve screwdrivers and me (not a good mix) and they still come in the window.

I think I have tried everything. Short of keeping my windows and doors shut forever, does anyone have any more tips? Please??

Justamum

I was going to suggest fly paper, but other than that I don't know what to suggest. I don't like fly spray either, and have hunted high and low for fly paper. I eventually found some yesterday . . . in the pet shop behind the fish food! First place I would have thought of looking (I don't think!)