Flies

[Marmora Man]

How do I keep flies out of the house. We're lucky enough to live in a tall Victorian house with a small roof terrace. The spare bedroom (aka the study) looks out onto the terrace and London - I like to keep the door open while working if weather is fine. However, every bloody fly in SE22 seems to gradually rise to the top of the house and dance around the study.

I've tried flypapers but they avoid them. Fly sprays are not the sort of solution I'm thinking of and anyway the effect would be diluted by fresh air. What can I do?

[Keef]

Could you put a Mozzy net up in front of the door? You'd get the light and the air, but no intruders.

[HAL9000]

Orange peel contains natural oils that act as harmless but effective house fly repellents.

[????]

You could buy a comedy Aussie hat with corks and string

[Brendan]

This may sound odd but I have always found that just having a flyswatter with you seems to deter flies. I think it works on some sort of principle solidly grounded upon Sod?s Law.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Keef's suggestion is probably best. Putting bunches of lavender or mint on the door frame is a more romantic notion but I'm not sure how efficacious they are.

[????]

...and what's so unromantic about a comedy Aussie hat?

[Mick Mac]

put a cork in it quids.

[Narnia]

This will do the trick

Though I quite like using the vacuum cleaner!

[charliecharlie]

simple... get a few of these http://animal.discovery.com/tv/a-list/creature-countdowns/cheats/images/cheats-chameleon.jpg

[woofmarkthedog]

Simple...

http://www.pestcontrolsuperstore.co.uk/prodimg/pp06_1_large.jpg

W**F

[SteveT]

Keeping a bucket of sh!t in the kitchen should keep them out of the lounge.

They do not like the smell of elder, so if you cut off a few sticks from a nearby bush it probably won't be 100% but it may reduce the total.

Horses seem to attract flies so maybe keep one in the garden.

[Huguenot]

I have an electro swat - they're absolutely fantastic. All that snap, crackle and pop when you get one just right.

It's also hilarious to walk up behind office colleagues and douse it on their ears. They go completely beserk.

[HAL9000]

Ha! That probably explains why you no longer work in an office :)

[matthew123]

Batter the little bastards with this might help!

 

[espelli]

Bizarrely, suspending a small plastic bag full of water above the open window works. Have no idea why or how!

[boosboss]

espelli Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Bizarrely, suspending a small plastic bag full of

> water above the open window works. Have no idea

> why or how!

The bag needs to be clear. Apparently, the flies see a much bigger reflection of themselves and stay away. It's a common practice in Spain.

[HonaloochieB]

While i don't this is as scientific as plastic bags of water, playing The Cramps' 'Human Fly' loudly on a loop might be effective.

It certainly puts the willies up my neighbours parakeet.

[Marmora Man]

boosboss Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> espelli Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Bizarrely, suspending a small plastic bag full

> of

> > water above the open window works. Have no idea

> > why or how!

>

>

> The bag needs to be clear. Apparently, the flies

> see a much bigger reflection of themselves and

> stay away. It's a common practice in Spain.

Perhaps that why they are seen hanging in fishmongers - partic in BOrough Market?? Will give it a try and report back.

[HAL9000]

Did someone say Orange Peel? See Scientific Report.