I just killed 51 (fifty-one) flies! They’re the big fat ones with the greenish glow. (I will have to clean my windows again as soon as I can be sure this is over, they leave a mess being smashed).
It started last night, I killed 10 and the 11th got away until this morning. Only to turn into this horror scene now.
How ist this possible? Yes I know the air is unpleasant and the umpth thunderstorm just starting but that many?!? There is a big fat spider outside one window but she managed to catch only one. It’s her job, dammid, that’s why I allow her to have that net there. I bet she watched me jealously.
Anyone else experiencing this? Any tips apart from keeping the windows closes (what a pita)?
I could not live without these. All our windows have either integrated roll-up screens or these DIY aluminum-framed ones that we make for each crazy measurement in This Old House.
the upside down funnel in a mason jar works for me. Also saves cleaning the windows …
Other simple DIY options - male and female glue-on velcro strips, mosquito screen or mosquito net (cloth). Glue to size male velcro strip to the window frame. Cut mosquito screen/net to size and fit over the male velcro strip. Squeeze the female of the velcro onto the male velcro to secure the mosquito screen/net (leave the glue protection on the female side). remove male velcro & net when not needed/desired.
yes I do have fly nets on some of my windows (and actually I thought only those were open today but maybe not).
@tom8050 that female velcro strip on top of it all is brillant! I only have step one and two (it looks tight but your solution is definitely safer).
@Axa, If the farmers had been at it I would smell it too. But now that you mention it, we have quiet a few horses near by which in this weather definitely don’t smell nice. But wouldn’t it be more fun for the flies to stay with them?!?
Well if this is the problem I hope one survived to fly back to tell the others that there is a killer down here
Not seen one since my big murder-attack. Refreshing my air with my levoit for the time being.
@tom8050, I tried the velcro thing our first year here, on the old windows, because we needed instant relief. The only problem was that the velcro is tough on the netting: You can’t remove it too many times before the netting tears.
@bossbaby : there are velcro with different ‘tensile’ strength and also different strength of net material. the balance is to match it. sometimes i cut the velcro widthwise and glue small pieces in uneven lengths (top/bottom and side/side), to make the net last longer by flipping it over for what you experienced … this way, i can put off for a season or two …
the velcro can also be cut lenghtwise to present a smaller surface to the net. the female side will enforce the smaller surface …
I did cut the velcro to about .75cm, and it helped. I’m so glad we now have a (semi-)permanent solution. Let’s see how long the aluminum screens last before needing re-splining/re-screening. So far, one is 5 years old with no problems, and this is a pretty demanding climate.
I see. I guess windows are all different, I have no problem cleaning windows and frames with the net on. It’s only fixed on the outest rim - as if they built them just to adapt one of these nets. (Unlikely, 35 years ago).
The net seems intact, just killed an other two that were trapped between window and net for the past hours.
I also built a quick trap with a pepper jar I buy my pepper in bulks in. The holes were already there, I just had to cut the lid off, so a 1-minute-job. It is good to keep that stuff for “just in case” as we see, there is always a case
I never have dozens like curley. For the few I do have, this is perfect (the “mesh” area is about 20cm x 15cm), basically a small electrified tennis racket. For safety it’s only on while you push the On button.
But why even let flies into your space? They shit on everything before they find that trap. Lampshades and kitchen worktops are their favourite targets. Ick. No.
Why bother when it’s only a few flies a year, and accept reduced air circulation when the cool nights should coold down your home when you don’t need it in the first place?
