Difference between revisions of "Flies"
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There are many ways to get rid of '''flies''' in the house. | There are many ways to get rid of '''flies''' in the house. | ||
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===Ultraviolet Fly Killers=== | ===Ultraviolet Fly Killers=== | ||
| − | These use UV tubes to attract the flies, and a pair of electrified grids to fry them. Effective, and standard equipment in most catering premises. | + | These use [[Fluorescent Lighting|UV tubes]] to attract the flies, and a pair of electrified grids to fry them. Effective, and standard equipment in most catering premises. |
Insects usually have a good wander round before going to the zapper, so they work but don't eliminate insects completely. No effect on non-flying insects. | Insects usually have a good wander round before going to the zapper, so they work but don't eliminate insects completely. No effect on non-flying insects. | ||
| − | Never use the wrong type of UV tube in these. | + | Never use the wrong type of UV tube in these. Sterilising hard UV tubes can cause eyesight damage. ([[Fluorescent Lighting|White tubes]] aren't recommended, but do work, even if not as good as UV ones.) |
The grids need periodic brushing clean, as dead flies can short them out. | The grids need periodic brushing clean, as dead flies can short them out. | ||
| + | ''See also Zap Racquets, below.'' | ||
===Blue-violet Fly Killers=== | ===Blue-violet Fly Killers=== | ||
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===Halogen Fly Killers=== | ===Halogen Fly Killers=== | ||
| − | DIY bug fryers may be made using a low power halogen lamp for insect attraction, a cockcroft-walton multiplier to produce high voltage, and wires for flykilling. A zero volt grid should be used at the front for touch protection. | + | DIY bug fryers may be made using a low power [[Halogen Lighting|halogen lamp]] for insect attraction, a cockcroft-walton multiplier to produce high voltage, and wires for flykilling. A zero volt grid should be used at the front for touch protection. |
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These small low cost boxes contain a gel block that slowly releases insecticide vapour over a couple of months. Vapona is a well known brand. These are very effective at killing flies. | These small low cost boxes contain a gel block that slowly releases insecticide vapour over a couple of months. Vapona is a well known brand. These are very effective at killing flies. | ||
| − | Some contain | + | Some contain pesticides that also kill fleas. |
A very effective fly control strategy, but ineffective if windows are left open. | A very effective fly control strategy, but ineffective if windows are left open. | ||
| − | |||
===Fly Spray=== | ===Fly Spray=== | ||
Brief duration, ongoing hassle, gets insecticide on hands and food preparation surfaces. | Brief duration, ongoing hassle, gets insecticide on hands and food preparation surfaces. | ||
| − | ===Manual Methods=== | + | ===Manual Methods: swatters etc=== |
Swatters, vacuum cleaner etc | Swatters, vacuum cleaner etc | ||
* Require far too much labour to be practical. | * Require far too much labour to be practical. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Manual Methods: "Zap Racquets"=== | ||
| + | Another form of bug zapper. | ||
| + | ''Quoting a practised user:'' | ||
| + | Worth it. Swipe wildly at a whining bloodsucking mozzie in a dark bedroom at night, be rewarded with a crack, flash and spark, and you'll agree. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There are two kinds: one with three grids: anything between an outer grid and the inner one gets zapped. Hard to get a wasp in far enough, but good enough for mozzies and flies. T'other kind has just a single flat layer of wires: anything touching two adjacent wires gets fried. Makes it easy to zap larger insects, but hurts like the devil if you touch it, which can't happen accidentally on the three-layered one. Note that it takes ten seconds or so for the bleed resistor to take the charge down to painless levels after it's off, too. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note also: these take two AA batteries, and you should use the non-rechargable 1.5v type rather than the (1.2v) rechargable. | ||
===Sash Windows=== | ===Sash Windows=== | ||
| Line 41: | Line 52: | ||
===Sticky Fly Paper=== | ===Sticky Fly Paper=== | ||
| − | These are sticky paper rolls hung from the ceiling. Effective, disgusting & cheap. | + | These are [[Tapes|sticky paper rolls]] hung from the ceiling. Effective, disgusting & cheap. Can be home made if necessary. |
| − | |||
===Venus Fly Traps=== | ===Venus Fly Traps=== | ||
| − | + | Limited effectiveness. Water them with rain, not tap water. | |
| − | |||
===Screens=== | ===Screens=== | ||
Fine mesh cloth screens closely fitted over open windows deny insects entry. | Fine mesh cloth screens closely fitted over open windows deny insects entry. | ||
| − | + | Bead or plastic tape curtains over open doors keep insects out, though they're less than fashionable. | |
| − | |||
===Paraffin=== | ===Paraffin=== | ||
| − | Paraffin wiped around window frames repels insects considering entering the property. Monthly reapplication needed. | + | [[Oil|Paraffin]] wiped around window frames repels insects considering entering the property. Monthly reapplication needed. |
===Clean up=== | ===Clean up=== | ||
| − | Frequent checking of fridge & cupboard contents ensures deteriorating items are disposed of promptly, avoiding any items that attract | + | Frequent checking of [[fridge]] & [[Kitchen Cabinets|cupboard]] contents ensures deteriorating items are disposed of promptly, avoiding any items that attract insects. |
If any buildup of spoiled food occurs anywhere in the kitchen, or elsewhere, flies are attracted. Overlooked buildup is sometimes the cause of fly problems. | If any buildup of spoiled food occurs anywhere in the kitchen, or elsewhere, flies are attracted. Overlooked buildup is sometimes the cause of fly problems. | ||
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Fix any leaks. Sources of water encourage insects to move in permanently. | Fix any leaks. Sources of water encourage insects to move in permanently. | ||
| − | |||
| Line 76: | Line 83: | ||
===Yellow lighting=== | ===Yellow lighting=== | ||
| − | Yellow lighting attracts insects less than white light. | + | Yellow [[lighting]] attracts insects less than white light. |
===Insect repellant=== | ===Insect repellant=== | ||
| − | Insect repellant reduces biting. | + | Insect repellant reduces biting. It can be applied to outer clothes rather than skin. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]] | * [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]] | ||
* [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]] | * [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]] | ||
| + | * [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7973024/Man-blows-himself-up-trying-to-kill-a-spider.html How not to do it] | ||
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[[Category:Pests]] | [[Category:Pests]] | ||
[[Category:Kitchens]] | [[Category:Kitchens]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Chemicals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:35, 18 November 2014
There are many ways to get rid of flies in the house.
Indoors
Ultraviolet Fly Killers
These use UV tubes to attract the flies, and a pair of electrified grids to fry them. Effective, and standard equipment in most catering premises.
Insects usually have a good wander round before going to the zapper, so they work but don't eliminate insects completely. No effect on non-flying insects.
Never use the wrong type of UV tube in these. Sterilising hard UV tubes can cause eyesight damage. (White tubes aren't recommended, but do work, even if not as good as UV ones.)
The grids need periodic brushing clean, as dead flies can short them out.
See also Zap Racquets, below.
Blue-violet Fly Killers
These are cheaper imitations of the above UV killers, but they use a blue or violet filament lamp & low grid power. Ineffective.
Halogen Fly Killers
DIY bug fryers may be made using a low power halogen lamp for insect attraction, a cockcroft-walton multiplier to produce high voltage, and wires for flykilling. A zero volt grid should be used at the front for touch protection.
Slow Release Insecticide
These small low cost boxes contain a gel block that slowly releases insecticide vapour over a couple of months. Vapona is a well known brand. These are very effective at killing flies.
Some contain pesticides that also kill fleas.
A very effective fly control strategy, but ineffective if windows are left open.
Fly Spray
Brief duration, ongoing hassle, gets insecticide on hands and food preparation surfaces.
Manual Methods: swatters etc
Swatters, vacuum cleaner etc
- Require far too much labour to be practical.
Manual Methods: "Zap Racquets"
Another form of bug zapper. Quoting a practised user: Worth it. Swipe wildly at a whining bloodsucking mozzie in a dark bedroom at night, be rewarded with a crack, flash and spark, and you'll agree.
There are two kinds: one with three grids: anything between an outer grid and the inner one gets zapped. Hard to get a wasp in far enough, but good enough for mozzies and flies. T'other kind has just a single flat layer of wires: anything touching two adjacent wires gets fried. Makes it easy to zap larger insects, but hurts like the devil if you touch it, which can't happen accidentally on the three-layered one. Note that it takes ten seconds or so for the bleed resistor to take the charge down to painless levels after it's off, too.
Note also: these take two AA batteries, and you should use the non-rechargable 1.5v type rather than the (1.2v) rechargable.
Sash Windows
Opening a sash window half an inch at the top gives insects a way out. Insects fly upward towards light to try to escape, so this offers quick easy escape and helps keep the numbers down.
Sticky Fly Paper
These are sticky paper rolls hung from the ceiling. Effective, disgusting & cheap. Can be home made if necessary.
Venus Fly Traps
Limited effectiveness. Water them with rain, not tap water.
Screens
Fine mesh cloth screens closely fitted over open windows deny insects entry.
Bead or plastic tape curtains over open doors keep insects out, though they're less than fashionable.
Paraffin
Paraffin wiped around window frames repels insects considering entering the property. Monthly reapplication needed.
Clean up
Frequent checking of fridge & cupboard contents ensures deteriorating items are disposed of promptly, avoiding any items that attract insects.
If any buildup of spoiled food occurs anywhere in the kitchen, or elsewhere, flies are attracted. Overlooked buildup is sometimes the cause of fly problems.
Frequent cleaning of bins avoids any smell build up, which attracts insects.
Dirty floors also attract insects. Although we may not smell the film of dirt, insects can.
Fix any leaks. Sources of water encourage insects to move in permanently.
Outdoors
Citronella candles
Citronella candles repel insects.
Yellow lighting
Yellow lighting attracts insects less than white light.
Insect repellant
Insect repellant reduces biting. It can be applied to outer clothes rather than skin.
See Also
Keywords: flykiller fly killer killing fleas flea swat swatter insects bug