Aaaargh! House flies!

ThisIsWeird

Look - it ain't the number of flies, but how they behave. They buzz me constantly, land on my legs, my arms, my ears, my whatists. These flies are vicious. Well, tickly.

Some of you may have more flies than me, but I bet yours are friendly.

Anyhoo, must track down what smell is attracting them.

booneruk

I have a south facing balcony that opens up onto a lot of neighbouring gardens full of plants etc. I would get 10+ flies in my living room in no time.

I once tried hanging fly paper strips from the ceiling - this was effective (I could relax in the evening without flies buzzing around my head), but it was a bit horrifying seeing still alive flies struggling on the wax strips.

A friend came over one night and described the strips as "dead fly Garibaldi" - he had a point.

Last summer I affixed a magnetic net to my balcony doorway. It fits perfectly and still allows my cat to nudge through the bottom of it, with it sealing back up again after: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09B73GVFB

That works quite well, but obviously opening windows would completely nullify the effect.

travis-powers

ThisIsWeird said:

Look - it ain't the number of flies, but how they behave. They buzz me constantly, land on my legs, my arms, my ears, my whatists. These flies are vicious. Well, tickly.

Some of you may have more flies than me, but I bet yours are friendly.

Anyhoo, must track down what smell is attracting them.

Here’s the thing if they left me alone I would leave them alone but no they have to annoy me!
 I spend 10 minutes every night with a can of spray like a crazed Dalek!

chris_n

Andyjflet said:

Little known fact, flies cant see white, so a piece of white kitchen roll, sneak up behind them and catch them flush them down the loo or in the bin. The ones you can catch anyway. 

And block the sewers while you are at it. Kitchen roll contains plastic and should never be flushed down the toilet!

ThisIsWeird

Just ordered a bottle of Lavender essential oil.

Will bathe in it - see if that works.

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said:

Just ordered a bottle of Lavender essential oil.

Will bathe in it - see if that works.

Might I suggest catnip - B&M do a little spray bottle for just £1.99 -> https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/garfield-crazy-catnip-spray-100ml-365920

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/how-catnip-plant-repels-insects-mosquitoes-chemical-receptor

Even if it doesn't dissuade the flies, the local cats will flock to your door.

kimwp

ThisIsWeird said:

Look - it ain't the number of flies, but how they behave. They buzz me constantly, land on my legs, my arms, my ears, my whatists. These flies are vicious. Well, tickly.

Some of you may have more flies than me, but I bet yours are friendly.

Anyhoo, must track down what smell is attracting them.

Urgh, fortunately it doesn't happen to me often, but I agree, when they are attracted to you, it's horrible, there's no way to ignore them.

I've seen salt shooters for flies, that might be fun?

Silvertabby

FreeBear said:

Get a cat - Mine is an expert in catching them mid flight.

We have a great grey hunter, too!  Actually, we hardly get any flies in the house as madam is an indoor puss, and the pet screens on our patio doors and windows do the triple job of keeping her safe, us cool, and flies (and wandering moggies) out.  

If you don't need claw proof mesh, they do lighter fly screens as well.  www.streme.co.uk  

Eldi_Dos

Remember those Fly Killer Lights (zappers) that where quite common in Bakers, Butchers.They where quite effective.

Used to use a snack bar abroad that had one,whenever there was a crackling sound of insect being dispatched a little Gecko used to appear and make off with its treat.

moneysaver1978

Just get chopsticks - it worked well for Mr. Miyagi...