Effective Ways to Get Rid of House Flies - Tips and Tricks from Trusted Sources

[chefann]

What do you do when you have a large number of house flies?

(I know I could google things to do, but I thought I'd check with you, the people I know and trust.)

We had a few flies in the house last week before I went to conference, and they seem to have taken over the house. I killed 20-30 yesterday, and it may have actually been more (I wasn't consciously keeping count). And I've already gotten 4 today. DH and I can't tell where they're coming from. We've vacuumed up the crumbs in the kitchen and they're not hanging out in there anyway, except on the window.

I really don't want to end up with flypaper hanging around (gross! :yuck, but if that's what works best, that's what I'll do.

What works for you?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I'll send you Micah for a day....he has this bizarre talent of being able to catch them in midair!

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Wow that's a lot of flies. I cannot help you--- I just know black pepper deters ants! LOL That is my secret!!

Maybe Peanut Butter on the counter?? Just guessing here......

 

[chefann]

I'll send you Micah for a day....he has this bizarre talent of being able to catch them in midair!

DH will reach out and grab them in his fist when they're on the window. Weird. And he got 6 with one swat last night. (Just like the Little Tailor!)

All I can say is, "Thank heaven for the Super Swat!"

Wow that's a lot of flies. I cannot help you--- I just know black pepper deters ants! LOL That is my secret!!

Maybe Peanut Butter on the counter?? Just guessing here......

hmm... maybe I'll try that. But I'd hate to feed them and have them fly off to procreate. I'd rather starve them so they just die. (I know that sounds cruel, but...)

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Our cats are good at hunting flies...oh, wait, maybe that's not a good idea at your house.The crumbs aren't your problem. Flies grow from maggots, maggots eat dead flesh. Check the basement for Jimmy Hoffa.

 

[Admin Greg]

Ever since getting a cat and dog I haven't seen many bugs. They do a serious job of cleaning them up lol, it's awesome.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

DH will reach out and grab them in his fist when they're on the window. Weird. And he got 6 with one swat last night. (Just like the Little Tailor!)

All I can say is, "Thank heaven for the Super Swat!"

hmm... maybe I'll try that. But I'd hate to feed them and have them fly off to procreate. I'd rather starve them so they just die. (I know that sounds cruel, but...)

Ann, it's okay to be mean to flies....they carry diseases, and every time they land, they are regurgitating.

 

[chefann]

Ever since getting a cat and dog I haven't seen many bugs. They do a serious job of cleaning them up lol, it's awesome.

Unfortunately, the birds wouldn't be happy with the addition of a 4-legged critter.

Maybe I need to import some spiders...

 

[stacywhitlow]

When I was in high school we had a problem like that. My mom turned the ac real cold & they were "dropping like flies".

Thank you! Thank you! I'm here all week!

Seriously, it did work.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Ever since getting a cat and dog I haven't seen many bugs. They do a serious job of cleaning them up lol, it's awesome.

I can just imagine how Beaker would torment either a cat or dog.

 

[chefann]

She says, "Woof woof. I'm a dog."

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Q: What's the difference between Beaker and a fly?A: Beaker can fly, but a fly can't Beaker.

 

[Ginger428]

What do you do when you have a large number of house flies?

(I know I could google things to do, but I thought I'd check with you, the people I know and trust.)

We had a few flies in the house last week before I went to conference, and they seem to have taken over the house. I killed 20-30 yesterday, and it may have actually been more (I wasn't consciously keeping count). And I've already gotten 4 today. DH and I can't tell where they're coming from. We've vacuumed up the crumbs in the kitchen and they're not hanging out in there anyway, except on the window.

I really don't want to end up with flypaper hanging around (gross! :yuck, but if that's what works best, that's what I'll do.

What works for you?

We had the same problem a few years ago, could not figure out where they were coming from! DH got a bunch of fly paper & they worked in a day or two....

 

[pamperedlinda]

Unfortunately, the birds wouldn't be happy with the addition of a 4-legged critter.

Maybe I need to import some spiders...

Come to my house! I've got them in all the corners, stair steps, and under table and chair legs - I'd love to know how to get rid of them!

 

[pamperedlinda]

btw: did anyone ever figure out why when you quote and reply to a post you are directed back to the top of the page instead of to the next post? irks me a little...

 

[chefann]

No. I'm still trying to figure out how to post a thumbnail pic instead of an inline one.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

The Kat Lady walked into the kitchen the other day and I was stalking around with a fly swatter."What are you doing?" she asked."Hunting flies," I responded."Oh, killing any?" She asked."Yep, three males, two females," I said.Intrigued, she asked, "How can you tell?"I said, "Three were on a beer can, two were on the phone."

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

No. I'm still trying to figure out how to post a thumbnail pic instead of an inline one.

Advanced editor.

Manage attachments.

Add file of your choice.

 

[jbachen]

We have a fly problem, too. The best thing I can figure out is that they get trapped between the screen and front/back doors somehow, and then when we open the main door to get into the house they come in with us. I am not sure how to get rid of them, either, besides swatting and fly tape. Although I may try turning the air up for awhile to see if that works. Thanks for that tip, Stacy!

 

[Chef Michelle D]

The Kat Lady walked into the kitchen the other day and I was stalking around with a fly swatter.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Hunting flies," I responded.

"Oh, killing any?" She asked.

"Yep, three males, two females," I said.

Intrigued, she asked, "How can you tell?"

I said, "Three were on a beer can, two were on the phone."

Thanks for the laugh KG I am not feeling well today so I am grumpy. Like they say laughter is the best medicine.

 

[Trish in Texas]

We had excessive flies too. We put up the clear fly strips on the windows and the flies all committed kamikaze. End of problem. But, do check for the source. We finally found a dead critter under the house. Once that was gone, the flies went away too. Do you have a water leak of any sort? Critters typically come near the house when it's hot to get water. At least that was our problem.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

http://jokes4all.net/funpics/yeti_squirrels.jpg

 

[PamperedDor]

I agree with Trish - it can be anything from a dead rodent to just wet towels (that happened to us! - # 5 spilled something and cleaned it up with a towel - left the wet smelly towel in a corner NEAR the washer - 5 days later we had flies everywhere!) IF you can't find the source, try spraying some fly killer in one room, then the next a few hours later - Good luck!

 

[janetupnorth]

Ann, it's okay to be mean to flies....they carry diseases, and every time they land, they are regurgitating.

Oh, I did NOT need that this a.m! :yuck:

 

[erinyourpclady]

We have had a problem as well...they would ride in on Ollie (our chocolate lab). We bought flying insect spray and hosed down all the screens in the screend porch and our front screen door. We still get them when "not me" (my favorite kid) leaves a door open but they are not as bad.

 

[janetupnorth]

When we had them last year, it was fly paper hanging in front of the windows - they seemed to go the light and leaving our lamps on as much as we could at night - they'd commit suicide in the lamp shades...

Good luck! Glad I don't have them this year!

 

[chefann]

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Harumph. I thought I tried that.

When we had them last year, it was fly paper hanging in front of the windows - they seemed to go the light and leaving our lamps on as much as we could at night - they'd commit suicide in the lamp shades...

Good luck! Glad I don't have them this year!

That's what I'm noticing. They congregate on the windows because it's brighter outside than in the house.

They do seem to be less populous today. I've killed 2 more since my original post, but nowhere near as many as at the same time yesterday. If we've still got them tonight when I get home from my show, I'll put the kitchen trash out (although I don't think there's anything icky in there - mostly paper).

 

[ChefSharain]

Ok, I know this is going to sound strange to some of you. Take a sandwich size ziplock baggy and fill it 3/4 full of regular ol water and tack it to a window, door, wall anywhere there are flies...it is a miracle...they just go away

 

[Jenni]

I too was just about to suggest fly strips... got that at Home Depot
They work great!

 

[KellyTheChef]

Ann, it's okay to be mean to flies....they carry diseases, and every time they land, they are regurgitating.

:yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck:

Thanks for THAT mental picture! I will never look at a fly the same way...

 

[chefshawna]

Maybe I need to import some spiders...

You can get spider web making kits. I work at a Science Center and we have them. You could always try that!! LOL

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

:yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck::yuck:

Thanks for THAT mental picture! I will never look at a fly the same way...

I never actually look at my fly but I do sometimes check to make sure it isn't open.

 

[pampered.chris]

I too have house flies. We insulated my attic around Easter and there were a TON of flies then in the attic when there was snow on the ground outside. Now, I have tons of the big black flies in the house, gross.
What is worse is over the weekend I noticed fruitflies in the downstairs bathroom(my daughters) and I took the garbage out...she threw away a 1/2 eaten apple into the BATHROOM garbage...the kitchen garbage is closer to where she eats then the bathroom!!! Oh I was furious...I only have one kid, but like Erin said I got a "not me"...i said oh yeah, the dog must have put it in there...errr...so now I am trying to get rid of fruit flies too!!! (they are clearing up now that the source is gone)

 

[chefann]

Ugh. Fruit flies are worse because they're so small you can't swat them. Have you tried putting out a dish of sugar water for them? They'll be attracted, fall in and drown.I think we've turned the corner on the flies here. I've seen a few buzzing around, but nowhere near as many as yesterday. And I've been stalking them with the Super Swat.

 

[pampered.chris]

Ugh. Fruit flies are worse because they're so small you can't swat them. Have you tried putting out a dish of sugar water for them? They'll be attracted, fall in and drown.

I think we've turned the corner on the flies here. I've seen a few buzzing around, but nowhere near as many as yesterday. And I've been stalking them with the Super Swat.

a bowl of sugar water?! I have never heard that. I just called the babysitter and told her to put some bowls out around the kitchen and in that bathroom w/ sugar water...LOL

Thanks so much for the tip!!!

 

[erinyourpclady]

Oh and that "Not Me" kid ALWAYS gets the blame...it is never my DH, my 2 DS, 2 DD OR even the dog. Always "Not Me"....poor baby...