Stopping flies coming in bifold doors

Davesnave

This is why I laugh when I see all the glossy ads for these doors, which imply that we don't have any insects in this country. It's even funnier when the setting is beside a pond, or trees.

Luckily, the ads are wrong, or we'd soon starve.

Those living in the countryside know that it's around the end of May when insect numbers really start to increase exponentially. Until then, there aren't many flies, which is why the swallows and house martins don't arrive earlier in large numbers. At this point, we also have to look out for things like horse flies too, so covering up bare arms and slapping on the Deet becomes wise.

As to remedies; well, there's the chain curtains that work well on narrow doors, and I suppose a series of them will work on bi-folds, but they won't give you the look in the ads or improve the view.

The other thing that helps is an escape route, so if your garden room comes with roof lights, that will help. We put them in our conservatory, because although they're a pain in some respects, they give good air flow and insects always go upwards in their attempts to get out, so most do exit that way.....eventually.

Otherwise, it's down to one of those ultra-violet, insect zappers, permanently wired-in.

Oh, and mint is one of the best insect-attracting plants when it flowers. Crushed mint rubbed over the face & neck and behind the ears is acts as a repellant for most species, like midges.

SisterAnna

edwink wrote: »

I was told years ago to have a pot of growing mint outside the door as the flies don't like the smell of it. I always have a pot outside my doors now and we rarely get flies coming in so I guess it does work.

I've got a bucket of mint outside my back door too and I honestly think it does help. I was under the impression that it was any type of mint that flies don't like the smell of but I maybe wrong.

another_casualty

Citronella?

Davesnave

Citronella, probably used as an oil in this country, is a good repellant, as are mint leaves, bay leaves, lavender and basil, apparently. Tansy is easy to grow, but like mint, it will attract insects when it flowers.

redlady_1

We also have this problem. I just have a sticky insect attracting thing on top of the doors (its a glass gable end) and the plug in zappy thing for night time. Every morning I vacuum the flies up. I just consider its the price to pay for living in the country.

andrewf75

redlady_1 wrote: »

I just consider its the price to pay for living in the country.

we have flies in towns as well you know ;-)
my house is full of them when we have the doors open

Davesnave

andrewf75 wrote: »

we have flies in towns as well you know ;-)
my house is full of them when we have the doors open

I'm sure there are plenty of places in town where they can breed.

But I've only ever had cluster flies in the country. Now, when it comes to sheer quantity, they take some beating!

tonyh66

Davesnave wrote: »

I'm sure there are plenty of places in town where they can breed.

But I've only ever had cluster flies in the country. Now, when it comes to sheer quantity, they take some beating!

never had the full on cluster fly experience, but 2 to 3 flies per day in the attic room made me seal every nook I could find its not so bad now, only 1 every couple of days.

[Deleted User]

Close the door maybe?