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bugs

what about flies?

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posted 16 years ago

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Nothing ruins dining outdoors faster than flies. They can be so pesky! Any ideas out there for keeping them away from your dinner?

Leah Sattler

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posted 16 years ago

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those fly traps that attract them into a bottle that they can't find there way out of is the only thing I know of. and somebody handy with a swatter!

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Brenda Groth

pollinator

Posts: 4437

Location: North Central Michigan

posted 16 years ago

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i don't know..we generally don't have much of a fly problem here except right before the rain when they seem to want to bite..except those little black flies we call gnats.

of course we don't keep livestock either which could create more of a fly problem I guess.

Brenda

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Gwen Lynn

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posted 16 years ago

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I don't have livestock either. I was bbq'ng the other nite and we were surrounded by flies. I was busy with the fly swatter. I cheat a little though. I spray them with soapy water (slows 'em down) and then I start swatting! A fly trap is a good idea. Fortunately, the flies aren't that bad most of the time, but sit down at the patio table to eat...and they all show up!

Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 16 years ago

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fly tape hung in strategic locations is somewhat effective too. I think the key is to be getting them all the time, not just when you are out there. an overall reduction in the fly population is the best strategy.

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"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

Joel Hollingsworth

pollinator

Posts: 2103

Location: Oakland, CA

posted 16 years ago

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Someone mentioned funnel traps:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Home_made_Mosquito_Trap

This would me more elegant, in my humble opinion, using flour and sourdough starter rather than sugar and active dry yeast. As the instructions mention, it works by emitting CO2 (I think moisture helps, too), should draw other biting insects. And having dead insects in it will eventually attract carrion seekers.

A bat box might also be worth considering, if there's a species that would do well there.

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Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 16 years ago

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maybe I need to send you some of my freinds? scissor tails are plentiful here. there were 12 that I counted on our power line last night.

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"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

paul wheaton

author and steward

Posts: 55380

Location: missoula, montana (zone 4)

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posted 16 years ago

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We talked about this a bit once before:

https://permies.com/permaculture-forums/740_0/critter-care/fly-control

A lot about birds, fly parasites and rotational grazing.

Plus, just keeping chickens is a big help.

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