Yes, summer is my favourite time of the year. Sadly, the warm weather and ever-present sun bring with it things that aren’t so welcome.
Tanning on a balcony, taking frequent dips in water, walking in the sunshine; these are all things I enjoy. Mosquitoes, flies and other winged pests, however, can kindly return to whatever abyss they arrived from.
Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and tricks to protect your house from mosquitoes. Flies, though? They have a knack for survival, and in the main repellants and fly traps can be expensive and full of chemicals you’d rather not have floating around your living space.
So, it’s a good thing we’ve found a smart, simple and environmentally friendly way to enjoy a fly-free summer.
Read more below to see how you can make 2018 more… fly less.
To construct this homemade fly trap you won’t need much – in fact, you’ll probably have the necessary components at home already.
What you’ll need:
- A heavy-duty freezer bag
- Table salt
- Lime juice
- A few coins
- Water
Combine all the items above in the freezer bag and soon you’ll have a hanging device that’s assuredly a fly’s worst nightmare.
Fill the transparent bag with water and hang it up high outside your door.
Because a light source is required for the trick to work its magic, it’s best to keep the bag close to an outdoor light, lamp or torch so that you can keep flies at bay both night and day.
Why do flies hate this?
Most insect repellants are based on different fragrances or smells. This type of deterrent has nothing to do with scent, however, and a whole lot to do with how flies see the world.
Shiny coins in water create a discomforting, unpleasant sight for flies.
Flies have compound eyes, and as a result the device creates an illusion wherein they don’t want to go anywhere near the bags – or so it’s claimed.
What the insects see in the bag is light refraction; something that a human eye can easily handle. For a fly, however, it’s a completely different story, according to Tip Hero.
Let’s take the common house fly, for example. These insects are born with a huge pair of eyes relative to their size. Made up of between 3,000-6,000 lenses, these eyes see the world in a mosaic pattern. Pretty cool, right?
The coins in the water break create a refraction that confuses them, however, forcing them to leave.
Now that you know why flies hate this simple trick, it’s time for you to go and build your own! Enjoy!
What did you think of this hack? Have you tried it before? Many who have built their own attest to its potency, so I’m definitely going to give it a try.
Don’t forget to share this life hack on Facebook, so that more people can get rid of annoying flies this summer and enjoy 2018!
