pesky flies

[coke71]

hi, can anyone suggest a way of keeping flies out of the house, now the sun has finally come out i like to throw open my door and windows and dont want to have to close them and be all stuffy, i'm not that bothered about the areosol sprays and was looking for something more natural to keep the little bu99ers out.

[Nettles]

Try a tack shop. When we had horses we use to buy a strip of paper that was cover in sticky sweet stuff that the flies could not resist and stuck to it. We hung it in the stable and the horses were undisturbed. Good luck :0) Probably also for sale at most garden centres too!

[shylock73]

Try an electric zapper from any garden centre, and listen for zzzzzzppp when they fly into it.

[Velvetee]

I always find my wood venetians keep them out of the actual room, they just buzz around the window panes.

The electronic zapper, makes fly entry something to actually look forward to, as it's great fun using them as tiny tennis balls and zapping at the same time.

[billearly]

Hi Coke ,Here in Spain we have mossie nets at the windows but we use beaded curtains at the doors they work very well,I think you can get them in England

[astonsmummy]

how about a venus fly trap it attracts them and eats them

[SRH]

An oil burner with a citrus oil (such as lemon or bergamot) works well. Uses the same principle as citronella candles - those blighters hate citrus. I always take one on holiday to burn in my hotel room and also dab lemon oil around the window frame - since doing this I've never had a single mozzie bite at night on holiday.

[coke71]

thanx eveyone i'll try all your suggestions (sorry for the late thank u but i've been off-line a couple of days)

[taffinnorfol]

Hi coke71. Just came across your question and thought I could add something helpful to the answers you've already had. My dad used to tell me a joke - Q. How do you keep flies out of the kitchen? A. Poop in the hallway!!!!! Seriously though, it gives a clue to the solution! I take large jam jars (like the ones for cook-in sauces etc). Using an old screwdriver and hammer, I chop a square hole in the lid and turn the metal inwards to create a sharp lip. I then use garden wire around the neck of the jar to make a hanging loop. Then, the clever bit! I used to put a solution of vinegar and jam into the jar before hanging it, outside, about 10 - 20 feet away from where the flies normally enter the house. The flies go in but are too stupid to find their way out!
Now I have improved the chemistry because I want to attract flies rather than wasps - I charge the jar with a mix of bonemeal (garden store!) and water. The flies find this totally irresistible and hardly any come into our house now! Every now and then, empty out the gunge of flies and goo and recharge the jars. Problem solved! GOOD LUCK!