Dear Home Ec 101,
Every summer, I find myself in a relentless battle against ten to twenty pesky house flies and horseflies invading my home. I’m at my wit’s end trying to figure out the source of this annual annoyance. Is it our compost pile in the backyard? Perhaps it’s due to a neighbor neglecting to clean up after their pets, or maybe another neighbor’s trash lids are perpetually loose. Whatever the cause, these flying nuisances are driving me up the wall, and I desperately need a solution. I’ve tried various methods, including fly paper and glue traps. I’ve even attempted the old trick of hanging a bag of water over the door, but the flies just keep coming. What else can I do to reclaim my space?
Help! Bugged in Buxton
Flies truly are the worst! Personally, I find them to be incredibly irritating, especially when I’m trying to cook and they buzz around me like they own the place. Like you, I’ve tested several methods, including fly paper, baggies of water, and glue traps. Unfortunately, none of these efforts have been particularly effective; they just created more mess or provided entertainment for the kids when chaos ensued (which happens often around here!).
This summer, I’ve adopted a two-pronged strategy to tackle our fly problem. First, given that we have many children who struggle to remember to close the door quickly, I purchased a magnetic screen door for just five dollars at Dollar General. You can also find a sturdier option on Amazon. This was a trial run, as we plan to install a proper screen door next year. Still, this simple addition has significantly reduced our fly invasion.
However, I was still paying my older kids a bounty for every fly they caught, which added up quickly. Our second and far more effective tactic involved using disposable, hanging outdoor fly traps. Now, I know what you might be thinking: “But Heather, you can make your own!” Believe me, I’ve tried countless DIY fly traps over the years, experimenting with various concoctions based on recipes I’ve found online, including those from agricultural extension services I often recommend. None of them have come close to the effectiveness of these store-bought hanging outdoor traps. All you need to do is fill them with water and hang them up!
That said, I must be honest; these traps do have one downside. As my English boss would say, they can be a bit… whiffy. The good news is that you don’t want to hang them where you spend a lot of time, as that would defeat the purpose. These traps work by attracting flies, who then crawl in and become trapped. We’ve hung them about 20 to 30 feet away from our living areas, strategically placing them at the four corners of our backyard. Remarkably, we’ve only seen two flies inside our house in the past three weeks. We plan to replace these traps in a week, which will carry us through the end of fly season, and I can confidently say it has been worth every penny for the peace of mind.
It feels like a late summer miracle. So exquisitely disgusting, yet effective!
Don’t Forget to Check Inside for Flies, Too
If you’ve been struggling with a fly infestation for a while, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough cleanout of your kitchen. A fly might have found an unexpected breeding ground somewhere. Be sure to check behind and underneath all your major appliances and in every cabinet for any forgotten items, like a stray potato or onion. Unfortunately, flies are particularly fond of decaying produce. There’s also the unfortunate possibility that a rodent may have passed away in your home, especially if you’ve used poison. It’s not a pleasant task, but removing any source of food or breeding ground will help you eliminate these unwanted houseguests sooner rather than later, allowing you to enjoy your home in peace.
Lastly, I have one final trick up my sleeve. If a fly insists on buzzing around you and won’t leave you alone, try turning off your lights and switching on the light in a different room. Flies are drawn to light, so this may lure them away from you. Hopefully, you can shut a door between you and the fly for some much-needed peace.
If you have any domestic questions or need further assistance, please reach out to helpme@home-ec101.com.
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