Just buzzzzzzzz off!

[Green Aura]

So, with that rationale, hanging crystals should work even better - and a damn sight more attractive!

Keep us posted, although our problem are midges, not flies.

OH got togged up in his bog myrtle a couple of of evenings ago to go and do a bit of digging and came hurtling back in a few minutes later having been bitten to b*ggery (pun intended ). I'm guessing they're so hungry that they'll brave anything. With all the bad weather we've been having everyone's been dressed for the antarctic - no uncovered flesh

[Bikil]

So did it work? I'm very interested to know!

[Odsox]

Yeah me too, I'm plagued with flies this year too and a fly swat leaves nasty little splat marks everywhere.
Wonder if a reflective mobile near the window would work too.

Hey Susie, does it work with colostomy bags ?

[battybird]

I love it...please let it work...amazing what the internet comes up with!! I searched fly deterrents recently and did not find it Do you think those disco mirror balls would also have the same effect?? I have a couple of tiny ones hanging in the window and have not counted the flies coming in..... but a big one could stop them in their tracks Look forward to hearing the outcome of your scientific experiment!!

[pelmetman]

For the past 4 or so years we have been absolutely plagued with flies, it has been so bad we have insect chains and fly screens fitted to windows and doors.

They appear around June, July and August time (this year I am pleased to say apart from the odd fly that everyone expects it has been ok).

If they are proving to be a problem call the Environmental Health Department, they can help you find out where the source of the flies are coming from and try to remedy the infestation.

We bought a Red Top fly catcher, which is basically a strong plastic bag, they sell it with some bait which attracts the female flies, once in they cannot get out. You can buy extra bait but we don't bother, we save up fish skins and put that in the bottom. The smell is distgusting but it does attract them and by the end of the season we chuck it on the compost heap.

Sue

[pelmetman]

Sue forgot to mention are you near to chicken farms and do the flies appear when you are preparing food? then they are poultry flies "Fanicular Ticulartus" is the latin name I think (not sure of the spelling).

Not usually a problem if you have your own chickens but if you are surrounded by chicken farms like us and they don't control them as they should then they are the likely cause of the problem

But you have to be prepared to do serious nagging of the Environmental Health Department at the Council...................Works in the end

Dave

[Thomzo]

Hi
The flies do seem to have been far worse this year than normal. I think it was the hot dry weather. I find that the cat food is the worst thing for attracting them. That and the dead mice the cats insist on leaving under the washing machine.

I was given a bit of advice that if you position a normal electric fan on the opposite side of the room to the open window or door so that the air is being pushed towards the door or window (does that make sense) then it stops the flies from coming in as they can't fly against the draft.

Zoe

[MuddyWitch]

Zoe, your solution may be more practicle, but it didn't make me laugh as much as picturing SG a la 'Carry On Nurse' with her fluid bags!

We are really lucky; every window & door has at least one spider on duty and the window near the sink has no less than 7!

MW

[Millymollymandy]

It may just be one of those unexplained things like why wasps are really bad some years. Good luck with your waterbags but don't they blind you indoors if the sun shines on them? I think I would need my sunglasses on!

oh the more smilies has gone all odd - I was looking for the sunglasses one.

[mrsflibble]

i love the crystals idea. if this works can someone give me a nudge please? i'll get prepared for next summer lol.

[Millymollymandy]

Update time Susie! How's it working?

[Millymollymandy]

Goldfish, ha ha! I suppose it's a bit like the paper bag wasp deterrent thing some of us tried a few years ago. Not really conclusive and by the time Cheezy sent me a paper bag of the right size and colour it had got colder so we weren't sitting out any more and the wasps of course had disappeared!

[Mal]

We have been plagued by wasps this year, despite (because?) of it being our first year where they weren't nesting somewhere around our house. We got some of those Waspinator things, and I'm pleased to report that they give the wasps somewhere to rest before continuing to fly round the kitchen.

[battybird]

We have been plagued by wasps this year, despite (because?) of it being our first year where they weren't nesting somewhere around our house. We got some of those Waspinator things, and I'm pleased to report that they give the wasps somewhere to rest before continuing to fly round the kitchen.

have hardly seen a wasp in Kent this year...now I know where they went!

[Thomzo]

We got some of those Waspinator things, and I'm pleased to report that they give the wasps somewhere to rest before continuing to fly round the kitchen.

Sorry I shouldn't laugh at your misfortune but

On a more positive side, I've seen lots of ladybirds this year. Far more than in the last few years.

Zoe