July 27, 2005
How to kill a fly without a flyswatter
In three easy steps
1.) Position your hands a few inches above the fly as if you were about to clap.
2.) Clap.
3.) Wash hands.
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Comments
That's... not an ordinary housefly is it?
It looks like one of those metallic green ones which used to strike mortal fear into me as a 20-year old. I discovered Beer soon after. I swatted flies by the dozen (where I grew up, there wasn't much to do) but there was something about these; they were like Fly 2.0: bigger, better, more annoying.
You're a brave man, Mister Glass. A brave man.
Posted by: Nikhil | Jul 28, 2005 4:08:40 AM
this really works. or at least it did on my first try yesterday at the dining room table. i was impressed as these things have been damn hard to get for me without a fly swatter. i followed the instructions exactly as written too, including the hand-washing part. :)
Posted by: Sean | Jul 28, 2005 12:51:40 PM
Actually, Nikhil, it's a big fly. I'd call it a horsefly. Caught while camping, and preserved to bring you this message.
And Sean, I'm glad it worked for ya. Results may vary.
Posted by: Chris Glass | Jul 28, 2005 12:58:16 PM
Just tried this and it worked great!
Posted by: Brian Gilham | Jul 29, 2005 10:34:52 AM
it took a couple tries, but once you get it down it works great! thanks glass
Posted by: Jay D | Sep 21, 2005 12:29:24 PM
Also works for catching flies. Just cup your hands. Harder to do with one hand. Apparently this works because flies cannot take-off at an angle, they have to fly straight up first, then take off, and by then, they're either dead or caught.
Posted by: Brian | Sep 21, 2005 1:51:56 PM
It's not a horsefly. They look like less fatal wasps.
This neat little trick does not work well with wasps.
Posted by: james | Sep 21, 2005 2:22:01 PM
Remember to wash your hands, shoe or any other flying insect beating device *!!*
Especially if attempting this (and are lucky) with a wasp, as when damaged (or dead), they give off a pheromone scent which will penetrate back to the nest, alerting the rest of the workers to attack you.
Please note: Petrol will not mask this scent
Posted by: Benjamin | Sep 22, 2005 11:29:43 AM
Try setting light to the petrol......
Posted by: Jamie | Sep 26, 2005 7:54:27 AM
what if you wrap your hands in disposable stuff like grocery bags first? that will save the ickiness.
Posted by: jc in jp | Oct 30, 2005 8:53:12 AM
what if you wrap your hands in disposable stuff like grocery bags first? that will save the ickiness.
Posted by: jc in jp | Oct 30, 2005 8:55:30 AM
Something else, is if they wont stay down on the ground, if you swat at them and you hit them into something hard, they will become stunned for about 10-15 seconds.
Posted by: MattyD | Feb 28, 2006 8:56:29 PM
I once caught a fly with one hand during my spanish class, I threw it against a desk to temporarily shock it and wounded it's wings so it couldn't fly, then I kept it for my pet and put it on my shoulder like a parrot. ^_^
Posted by: Byron | Feb 28, 2006 9:17:50 PM
well that's one way to get the ladies
Posted by: Chris Warrant | Feb 28, 2006 10:20:54 PM
I've been doing this for a few years (killing them, not creating pirate-pet-flies), and it really impresses people the first time they see it. I usually follow the killing up with a cry of "ninja!"
Posted by: Pat | Feb 28, 2006 10:50:32 PM
Here's a trick for removal of wasps or bees. I discovered it one day whan a wasp was lazing on an ornate curved door handle - pretty hard to swat it successfully. Besides, as a BHL (Bleeding Heart Liberal) I don't like to kill things - even insects.
Mix honey or maple syrup with a tiny bit of water. Put a drop near the edge of the flat part of a long handled spatula (the longer the better). If the wasp / bee is running out of steam and hungry, they will walk onto the spatula to get the food. While they drink, walk carefully to the nearest exit. Put the spatula down outside and wait; the wasp will fly away on its own.
Posted by: Anne | Mar 1, 2006 3:08:49 PM
For killing wasps and other stinging insects:
Instead of swatting with a newspaper, then dodging as it dive-bombs you, spray it with hairspray.
As the hairspray dries, it freeze up their wings so they can't fly. Then you can swat it.
Posted by: ScottM | Mar 1, 2006 4:57:08 PM
ANOTHER SOLUTION:
Get a powerful, lightweight shopvac with a long hose and simply suck the flies off the walls and in to the vacuum. This works great for many fruit-flies and adult flies.
I usually sneak up on them slowly and when I'm a foot away, I strike the wand right at them, and if they fly away, I follow them, often sucking them in in mid-air.
Posted by: green | Mar 1, 2006 11:38:35 PM
a spectacular way to render harmless all kinds of insects:
- get a deodorant of any kind that has the flame sign on
[it means it contains flammable ingredient, usually alcohol]
- get a lighter
- point deodorant at insect within 2 feet
- light the lighter in the middle of the distance
- spray!
the insect could survive the napalm attack
but it would definitely not be able to fly or crawl anymore >:D
warning: the victim should be no near flammable materials!
the glass is the best place to do it!
Posted by: bob | Mar 3, 2006 4:22:26 AM
B4 you catch the fly...prepare small paper banner...add thread and superglue...attach to fly you catch and turn loose in class (this got me in trouble many years ago)
Posted by: Frank Siegler | Mar 3, 2006 4:25:11 PM
I used this technique when I was a kid back in India. We didnt have fly swatters at that time.
One difference is that you need to keep your hand above, and a little in front of the head of the housefly. The reason this works effectively is that houseflys can only take off straight ahead. They cannot take off backwards. So, when they see danger, they take off into your waiting hands and get squashed!
Also, this works only on houseflys. Also, you dont need any special technique to kill other flys. They are too slow. Houseflys are extremely fast, and hence this technique.
Posted by: Shashi | Mar 3, 2006 4:51:45 PM
Thanks for the tip Sashi!
Posted by: chris glass | Mar 3, 2006 5:00:51 PM
Will my new pet mouse eat dead flies?
Posted by: John | Mar 3, 2006 6:20:00 PM
We use a different method. It works very well on flies and also on bees and wasps...
Get a small, clean spray bottle. Fill it with water and a few drops of dish soap (Daw, Palmolive, not dishwasher soap but the kind you use in the sink). Gently swirl to mix. Spray the insect.
The soap disrupts its breathing apparatus. It will drop to the floor, ready to slap, squash, or pick up with a bit of tissue and flush.
(We're willing to do trap and release on mce but not bees and flies)
Posted by: Vicki | Mar 4, 2006 2:55:03 PM
I like snapping the with elastics. It takes some practice, but once you get good at it, it is totally lethal. In fact, the flies explode when hit. They taste better too.
Posted by: Jeff | Mar 5, 2006 9:08:26 AM
I use a window cleaner bottle that hooks up to a garden hose for large nests of wasps. Use dishwashing liquid that suds up well and causes suffocation - some window cleaners aren't sudzy.
Posted by: Doyle Steven Youngblood | Mar 6, 2006 3:08:02 PM
I don't know if pet mice eat dead flies... but my pet goldfish love them. :-)
Posted by: Dave | Mar 11, 2006 12:11:50 AM
Horrid, folks! I do Nature work -- open a coning, connect with the Deva of Insects and whatever particular insect's Deva we need and ask what it needs -- then use flower essences to be given to it/them by Pan. Works every time. No muss, no fuss -- check out cocreative science on www.perelandra-ltd.com
Posted by: fsnaturelady | Apr 1, 2006 3:08:11 PM
All the comments from guys were helpful and/or gross and amusing! No wonder I LOVE the opposite gender.
Posted by: Alice | Apr 1, 2006 6:54:18 PM
Another method, we refer to as the Final Solution, and only terribly effective if you have an open flame gas stove. Turn off all the lights in the house (you do this at night when large flies are keeping you from sleeping or enjoying yourself) and light the gas flame - or candle if that is the best you can do. The fly will instantly incinerate itself on the gas flame, a bit iffier with the candle but sometime works.
Posted by: isha | Apr 1, 2006 8:58:20 PM
Been doing that for a good 50 years now. It is so automatic that sometimes I don't even realize that I'm doing it. I often nail them in the center of the palm and the sonic boom kills them without any contact. I've always called it "giving a fly the clap.". I do tend to do bad puns.
The automatic reaction of the fly is to go up and to the rear when it senses an odd airflow and motion. What is really nice is that you can do this over food and never get any on your hands and the fly doesn't drop to the food aferwords.
Posted by: Bob May | Apr 2, 2006 6:27:22 PM
To deal with roaches, put some isoproyl alcohol in a sprayer, and give it a spray. No need to light it afterwards. The roach will die within a minute.
It has the added effect of sterilizing the roach, making it cleaner (theoretically) to handle.
Posted by: Ben | Apr 2, 2006 7:53:34 PM
I`ve been using this technique for years. It is solid proof "that the hand is quicker than the fly".
Posted by: Rick | Apr 2, 2006 9:00:31 PM
Great idea. It works for me too.
Posted by: jim | Apr 2, 2006 10:18:27 PM
Flies in Australia must be a little backward to your flies in the northern hemisphere. I've been doing this for years, but I have always positioned my hands above and slightly behind the fly. It always flew diagonally backwards and into the middle of my hands. Strikerate, 99 out of 100.
Posted by: Phil | Apr 3, 2006 12:55:04 AM
Anyone knows how to catch or kill a mosquito?
Posted by: YI | Apr 3, 2006 8:10:27 AM
Flies actually jump up into the air a couple three inches before they start to fly. It's automatic and instinctual, they have no choice. Hence getting a little above them for the clap. When I was a little boy, we used to pull their wings off just so we could watch them jump. Hilarious. We called them Herbies. BTW, they are not like cats and don't land on their feet.
Posted by: Rory | Apr 3, 2006 9:19:50 AM
The way I catch unwanted flies in my house is with a wet dishcloth in my hand. The fly is not killed. Then I release it outside and it flies away. And put the wet dishcloth in the laundry.
Posted by: fyi | Apr 3, 2006 2:00:22 PM
Save money on crickets. - Catch flies with one hand. Flies can not see directly above their heads. Slowly approach from above to approx. one inch, then quickly grasp fly by the wings, then crease the wing with thumbnail. The crease prevents the fly from flying away when placing in your kids pet lizard cage. Save money - no more buying meal bugs or crickets from the pet store.
P.S. Lizards won’t eat dead flies or dead crickets.
Posted by: Alaska Eric | Apr 3, 2006 4:49:54 PM
I saw an interesting way to catch flies also! Don't you get mad when they are all over the ceiling? I saw this done and it works great.
Take a clear glass of water about 2/3 full and a little dish soap. Put something over the top and shake it up a little so that it makes bubbles. Then take the uncovered glass and and cover the fly on the ceiling (lightly touch the top of glass to the ceiling)and it drops/flies into the solution immediately. Unfortunately it only works for flies on the ceiling. Someone tall enough can basically kill one after the other using that method.
Posted by: Jane | Apr 3, 2006 6:16:46 PM
Prepare to shoot a rubber band.Aim with your eye.Shoot.Clean wall.Almost always works.
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 3, 2006 7:43:21 PM
Chase the mosquito all around the room until sufficiently close, position palms strategically with the mosquito in between and follow steps 2 & 3 in 'How to kill a fly..."
Posted by: NK | Apr 4, 2006 5:32:05 AM
Preventive measure: at a local deep freeze / cold storage business they have hung plastic bags containing water & a penny at all outside access areas to keep flys away. It seems to work... no flys.
Posted by: @rt | Apr 24, 2006 4:32:06 PM
Just hit a fly with a newspaper or (duh) BUY A FREAKING FLYSWATTER
Posted by: Jace | Apr 28, 2006 7:30:02 PM
Just as I was about to write this post a mosquito flew across my monitor and I gave him the clap of death. A good omen I would say...
Anyhoo, my recomendation for catching that annoying mosquito that keeps biting you all night long in bed:
1) lay the bait -expose a part of your ripe, juicy flesh for the mosquito, and cover the rest of your body with sheets, blankets or whatever.
Yes I know this may be hot and inconvenient but it may better than being bitten all night long. You decide.
2) Prepare to crush the bastard -make sure your exposed bit of flesh is positioned within easy striking distance of your hand which is grasping a pillow (you can use just your hand, but a pillow increases your chances of a first strike kill).
3) Wait for the piercing jab of the mosquito's blood-sucking probiscus into your tender, exposed bit of flesh... It is perfectly normal and okay to feel shivers of secret, sneaky happiness at the anticipation of revenge upon this winged little vampiric bastard.
4) Strike at the exposed flesh and stinging pain with all your fury and might with pillow. Wait a few minutes. If no further bites occur...
5) smile contentedly and resume snoring soundly.
This technique works most times the first try, but sometimes takes a second go -depends on how sneaky and evil you are the first time. The more the better.
Posted by: steve | Apr 28, 2006 11:15:36 PM
if you see a spider or something like that DON'T spray it with a flame!!
Buy a can of air in spray (medium compressed), turn the can upside down, spray spider or fly (to do this with fly, the fly mustn't can fly)[sorry for my english]. I mean it have to be groounded.
Then pick up and throw the ice-insect on table.
You have just made...
Insect Puzzle :D
Posted by: Mariuz | May 1, 2006 6:24:09 PM
For wasps and bees, this one is quite effective... You take a plastic coca-cola bottle, and make sure there's about an inch of cola left in the bottle... then you cut off the top of the bottle (about two inches from the top). you unscrew the top bit you cut off, and place it back on the rest of the bottle, but now with the top end hanging down...
this is what will happen: bees and wasps love sugar, so the get attracted by it, they walk around on the top bit you cut off and hung upside down, and want to go where the real stuff is, through the litle hole, and into the bottle... and they won't get back out (because the hole is quite smalle and the "sides" of the bottle don't guide them back out, because you turned it upside down)
Posted by: Gemini | May 21, 2006 5:02:39 AM
did you know that head nits can live on digestive biscuits in a jam jar for 3 weeks?
Posted by: head nits | May 21, 2006 5:52:25 PM
didn't pulling wings off of flys used to be a sign of degenerate behaviour, and wasn't it usually taken to be a sure sign that the perp would progress to torturing progressively-higher life forms, such as kittens, puppies, children and Democrats? I did once see instructions for making a tiny airplane out of wooden matches glued together in a cross-formation, with a small bit for a rear stabilizer; the engine power was provided by 4-6 houseflies caught, then super-glued onto the top cross-bar by their feet. Apparently they can generate enough lift, in concert, to actually move the damned thing. And now that i know how to actually CATCH them alive . . . . .Howard Hughes will have nothing on me! Spruce Goose? How about the "Pine Fly"?
Posted by: Pop-Rocks | Jun 1, 2006 3:25:23 AM
I've been trying this new technique for killing bees/wasps/hornets of mine out for the past few days...and it works every time I've tried it.
Get a flyswatter, corner the bee on a flat surface. Whack it real hard, then run and go grab some windex and spray it. I personally think the windex help kills it (because every time you beat them, you have to whack them a few billion times before they die), but I'm not sure. Maybe I have a strong arm? Oh well. I'm a sadist, so I might as well throw a cleaning chemical in there.
P.S. Great way for killing flies, I'll have to try it out sometime.
Posted by: Danielle | Jun 5, 2006 10:56:57 PM
I just use windex on houseflies. A few quick sprays first makes them unable to fly, and then they die a few minutes after. Highly satisfactory.
Posted by: kristen | Jun 8, 2006 7:44:21 PM
watz the problem with fiy swatters??? well, if you have a pond or fish tank with medium to large goidfish feed the stupid fly to them!!! you people would look on here to see how to CATCH a fly !!! Duh retards use a fly swatter( no offense). its not like flies have ~feelings~. and if you wanna know why im on here its cause its 5:30-6:00 in the morning and theres a mouse running across my floor!!! im gonna use cheese!!! LOL
later like neva`
Posted by: Deidre | Jun 15, 2006 9:11:17 AM
Thats pretty neat.
Posted by: bowser | Jun 15, 2006 3:24:13 PM
Actually really..what is wrong with a fly swatter?
Posted by: bowser | Jun 15, 2006 3:25:11 PM
Thanks for the tips it really helped i had a horsefly in my house and so i read this i killed it and cleaned what i killed it with just like yall said thanks again
Posted by: Morgan | Jun 18, 2006 9:40:05 PM
Hola. I'm not to concerned with the well-being of insects, so YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, this may get violent.
Anyway, I have issues with insects...mainly because they bite me, sting me, suck my blood, and live in my closet without permit. The technique I have to share is relatively easy, and similar to what has been said on here. Pretty much, get any sort of open container (Coffee can, etc), add any sugary substances you have at hand like soda or syrup. You can mix things too ;) for a custom genocidal weapon. Feel happy.
Next add a squirt of dish soap, stir, and let sit out wherever your nusaince lives. This works primarily for bees and wasps, although I suppose you could attempt it on another sort of insect.
In any case, the wasp will be attracted to the sugar in your mixture, but when it crawls in, its wings will stick to your dishsoap, and it will slowly starve/drown.
This is proven effective-as my friends and I went on a determined genocidal spree to get rid of the hornets in one's yard. Of course, we were catching them and stuffing them INTO the mixture...Can you guess how many met their dooms? 100+. That's right, it was a bloody INFESTATION. I've also done this by just letting the container sit out...I just feel more accomplished by assisting in their deaths;) Im a vengeful sort, and I don't appreciate stings........ O.O
Posted by: Georgia | Jul 5, 2006 1:49:28 AM
Axe deodorant might work...
I used it on a spider once and it went into a ball position and fell behind a t.v..
So I am not sure if it survived, can anyone confirm?
Posted by: SPiderssss | Jul 8, 2006 6:48:13 PM
Never actually tryed deoderant, but that stuff smells strong enough that something as small as a spider probably has no hope.
Posted by: -DUNG- | Jul 9, 2006 7:30:32 AM
Actually if you use a TON of soap (dish) on your cournter tops and tables the flys hate that. I mean a heave sudsy cleaning once per day then a dry cloth to get the exces and the flys will not land there or any thereabouts. worked for me for years.
Posted by: Snead | Jul 13, 2006 6:17:29 PM
THIS IS DISGUTING
Posted by: anonymus | Aug 2, 2006 3:04:33 PM
I was just wondering if it is ethical to (once caught but not quite dead) leave them suffering or best to put it out of its misery. I apply the how long has it bugged me for, like, all night or just 5 mins. What y'all think :)
Posted by: Fly hater | Aug 3, 2006 3:39:23 AM
to catch a fly... or hornet or wasp easily get a clear plastic bag, wait 'til it is crawling on a window, come up behind it with open plastic bag, placing the open edges around it, snap edges closed and carry outside and release. Can also be done with a clear plasic glass... place over insect on window, slip playing card underneath, take outside and release!!
Posted by: bughugger | Aug 7, 2006 5:26:42 PM
I dont have a problem with flies at all because my grandma when I was little would put ziplock bags full of water over the OUTSIDE of the doorway on top and you have to have a light on..either next to it outside or one on inside and flies get all crazy and cant pass under it because of the light...doesn't work for bees though
Posted by: Michelle | Aug 15, 2006 8:36:03 AM
Thank you, thank you, thank you! First time in my life I got one back on a damned (& now dead)housefly.
Posted by: Jon H | Aug 29, 2006 5:48:27 PM
One of these little bastards is flying around me right now. I am just waiting for my chance!
Posted by: Jason | Aug 30, 2006 2:34:48 PM
I've used the clapping technic for years. really works. I used to pull the wings off; just bored I guess. Now, I like to catch them throw them down to stun them. Then take them to the toilet and flush them. I tell myself that it's humane. Take a look at the dog doo in your yard. THEY LOVE THAT STUFF.
Posted by: daddytigger | Sep 1, 2006 5:23:21 AM
I find a bazooka works well.
Posted by: Funk Master | Sep 3, 2006 12:54:22 PM
There's a pair of huge wasps in my living room, and I have a phobia. I also have a choice of wespons:
Frying Pan (for Tom and Jerry fun!)
Air Freshner
Deodorant
Furniture Polish
Which would work best?
Posted by: Daie | Sep 3, 2006 7:50:19 PM
If you get bored of the clapping trick, you can try flicking them. Won't actually kill them (normally) but is very satisfying. Creep up on fly on flattish surface. Put hand in flicking position, turn it on its side, flick fly, then enjoy as the fly ricochets off furniture. One variation is to try to flick it into fly paper. This takes some practice...
Posted by: Nathan | Sep 5, 2006 9:00:28 AM
You can also use chopsticks like in the karate kid. hakuna matata bitches!
Posted by: Karate Kid | Sep 13, 2006 5:02:09 PM
I've been using the vacuum with a long hose attached to it to get rid of the flies. It works but it gets tricky if they are in between the window panes. It's also hard to vacuum if the flies are all over the curtain.
I've just tried spraying windex and it slowly makes the flies weak and evenrually will drop dead. Then I vacuum.
I've tried dishsoap and sugar solution and left it on the window sill and dozens of them just dive in.
But water in a bottle spray mixed with a few drops of dishwashing soap is a cheaper alternative. Spray them on the window. You're also cleaning your windows at the same time.
BTW, I can never swat a fly with my bare hands though. It is just gross.
Posted by: Ann | Sep 19, 2006 1:13:36 PM
Fill a jar half-way with water. Add a tablespoon of vinegar (malt, wine or cider... not distilled) and a squirt of dish soap. Cover and shake. You've just made a Fruit Fly trap.
Cover and shake occasionally to re-foam the top.
Posted by: Nate Berggren | Sep 26, 2006 12:16:01 PM
If only I'd known this! All those years of using a shotgun - cost me a fortune in furniture!!
Posted by: bones | Oct 5, 2006 7:12:05 AM
tried your 3 easy steps. didn't work. when i about to clap, it flown away. this fly has been around for a few days now. very annoying. maybe i should try using my perfume and give it a good spray!
btw, i love ur site. very neat! :-)
Posted by: masitah | Oct 8, 2006 6:43:32 PM
"For killing wasps and other stinging insects:
Instead of swatting with a newspaper, then dodging as it dive-bombs you, spray it with hairspray.
As the hairspray dries, it freeze up their wings so they can't fly. Then you can swat it."
...It's easier if you hold a lighter in front of the hairspray can.
We had a hornet's nest underground next to our house siding when I was a kid. I would swat the side of the house with newspaper, which would make them send out a wasp to investigate. A little poof of flame would take em' out one by one. Eventually they send most of the hive all at once, which is hilarious to watch - they all have to come out of the same small opening at once, and meet their flaming death quickly.
I'm sure they didn't suffer... much.
Posted by: Christian | Oct 9, 2006 1:22:01 PM
ok,well my question is for this tecnique from mr glass, do you actually smack the fly with your hands when you clap, or is it just the sound of your hands clapping that shocks them?? yes, this might work when you are at a restaurant and dont have anything else to swat it with, but at home... they made the fly swatter for a reason. lol. there are people out there who CAN live with fly's, i personally hate flies!! for some reason i cannot have them buzzing near me. i start itching all over, and get little red dots all over. weird huh. anyways, i do like reading everyones ideas. especially the whole using soap and water for bees and wasps. wouldn't want my toddler, or me getting stung. for those who haven't read how to catch a mouse from the same writer, here's the link. http://glass.typepad.com/journal/2005/09/how_to_catch_a_.html
Posted by: cookie | Oct 18, 2006 10:33:29 AM
It's the actual skin on my palms that crush the fly Cookie. And I never can seem to find the flyswatter it seems.
Posted by: Chris Glass | Oct 18, 2006 10:54:14 AM
To trap Fly at night, turn all the light off but one at night. Fly attracted to light. it will fly to that lighted room by itself. The smaller the room the better. I prefer bathroom, so the fly can be dispose by blousing it down the toilet
I kill it using rubber band. It need precision but that my hutting sport.
Posted by: David | Oct 21, 2006 11:08:35 AM
Surefire way to keep flies outa the kitchen?
Keep a bucket o' dung in the living room.
Posted by: Al | Nov 13, 2006 11:39:51 AM
Stawberry Glade will also work on most creepy-crawlers. House centipeds react specatularly to this - first they launch a few legs - then they do the breakdance of death. Now, not only are you bug free, the house smells great!
Posted by: Sarah | Nov 20, 2006 8:00:55 AM
You also have those electrified-tennis-racket-thingies. Very humane and very fun. Although bigger flies usually only get stunned, so you have to shock them a few times until they start smoking (of course you can also get the smaller flies to smoke, but I tend to kill of bigger flies).
Jochem
Posted by: Jochem | Dec 8, 2006 8:13:05 AM
Very interesting ways to kill flies. I've got a can spray just about everywhere for quick efficient killing. Will definetly try the clap technique.
Also must add, that if you really hate flies, get a Praying Mantis as a pet. Catch live flies and put in jar with Praying Mantis, watch as they catch the fly and start eating it alive! Really fun to watch!
Posted by: Carike | Jan 2, 2007 5:27:05 AM
Fly swat methods that works !!!
By using an industrial yet inexpensive water spray bottle [you'll find it at "home depot"] you can kill a fly or at least bend their wings by shooting up thin jet stream about three feet apart but strong enough to put the bug on a state of chock before you pick it up with a tissue or paper.
-------------------------------------------------
I also use a small dab of shaving cream on a long end of a stick [either a chinese stick or staright branch ] then carefully approach the fly right on above their head [they can't see up their heads] then quickly dab it the fly will stick to the foam then sling it in to either kitchen sink on runing water or toilet and watch the fly drown.
Posted by: Gunsmoke | Jan 16, 2007 1:44:12 PM
During twilight, open your doors. The flies are attracted to the hue at twilight and go outside. Twilight resembles the effect of a black-light. Its the time just before the sun sets.
Posted by: Faith | Jan 31, 2007 9:12:11 PM
I used to kill flies just like that. But the cost of the handsoap and chapping from continuous washing caused to to devise another method: Cut a rubberband at one end. Sneak up behind the fly and stretch the band as far as possible. Take aim and let one end go! No more fly and no need to get your hands wet! DISCLAIMER: Not for the faint of heart, as some blood(or whatever that stuff is that flows through a fly) may appear where the fly once sat. DO NOT attempt without adult supervision. While aiming, always wear safety goggles and keep rubberband a safe distance away from eye: failure to do so may result in serious injury or blindness.
Posted by: Steve | Feb 25, 2007 1:33:30 PM
Nice...been doing the "Hand Clap" for years, (worked great in Africa during those long deployments) I try not to kill the flys anymore, but this is no "catch and release" program, they go into the fish tank where the Chiclids get them, more like "catch and fillet"
Posted by: Pete | Mar 22, 2007 11:57:31 AM
Windex works like bug spray on a housefly. A few spritzes and they fall to the ground. A few more and they die, and you can easily pick them up with a napkin or tissue.
Also great is turning a can of compressed air upside down so it shoots frost. This is great for hard-to-catch centipedes. Mind, they do unfreeze and start running again, so dispose of them quickly.
Posted by: Most | Mar 22, 2007 12:09:58 PM
I used window cleaner in a spray bottle, one direct hit and its ready for a slow painful death :)
Posted by: Josh | Mar 23, 2007 12:29:50 PM
any strong nerf guns with suction bit work great to, just position gun a bit above fly and boom
Posted by: jon | Mar 29, 2007 10:36:47 AM
I find throwing knives work well on a variety of insects (yes, even hornets and yellowjackets!)
If you have drywalls it's good to keep some spackel on hand during warm wet summers. ^_^
Posted by: Adam | Mar 30, 2007 5:03:46 PM
I let the kids use their flyshooters. They have fun chasing the flys around and I get a bug-free house. Works every time, sort of.
Posted by: Ken | Apr 6, 2007 5:18:26 PM
I was once cracking nuts for my mom with a small anvil and mini-hammer. A fly landed on the anvil and I tried to whack it with the hammer. I completely missed. Much to my suprise, the 'DING!' was loud enough to completely kill it dead. Not a mark on it, but it's brains must have been completely SNAFU'd. Laughed my ass off. :)
Posted by: joshi | Apr 9, 2007 3:26:07 PM
Killing a fly - this one never fails.
Most microwaves have a light inside, that turns on when you open the door. That's what you need.
Wait until it's dark outside. Turn off all the lights in the house (very important). Open the microwave door, so that the light comes on. Wait until the fly enters the microwave (doesn't take more than a few seconds - it comes to the light). Close the door, turn it on, wait for the "snap" sound.
Remove the cooked fly.
Posted by: Boris | Apr 15, 2007 12:18:23 AM
I dont like the idea of squashed flies all over my hands, so I use TWO rolled up newspapers/magazines (preferable from the recycling bin) and approach the insect from behind. Then holding the weapons about 6" apart, strike from both sides simultaneously at an angle of about 45 degrees. Works well and is also good for bugs that fight back (Wasp and Hornets)
Never kill a bee, they make honey!
Posted by: Steve Blincoe | May 13, 2007 9:06:29 AM
My brother-in-law has a variation. Instead of clapping his hands, he scoops one hand a few inches above the fly and catches it. Then he throws the fly against the ground. Avoids the gooey mess on your hand - but probably should still wash them!
Posted by: Jake | Jun 15, 2007 3:20:27 AM
I don't get it...
Posted by: Kelsey | Jun 24, 2007 12:36:03 AM
Yesterday I used regular Windex and that worked okay. Not all of the flies died right away. I found some of the Foaming Windex and that works great. It kills them almost immediately!! Then I just vac. them up!!! There are way to many to catch with my hands.
Posted by: Amanda | Aug 1, 2007 11:10:40 AM
here is one i invented for catching spiders or any other crawlers that have made it up to the cielings/walls
take a small plastic water bottle
cut off the top, where the neck just starts to get thin (where the cylindrical shape ends)
turn the part you just cut off upside down and jam it back into the bottle -- creating a funnel
get some soap (bar or liguid) and coat the funnel part with it
make sure there is bit of water in the battle
Now the annoying thing about spiders is once you catch them in a container they can easily crawl out or once your trying to dump them out they use their web to stay inside. With this device you just knock the spider into the funnel area, the soapy coating forces him to slide down the neck and into the bottle. Because of the design he will always drop right in the middle of the bottle and cannot cling to any walls. Because of the water in the bottom he is unable to make his way to any of the bottle's walls to climb out.
Now you just take out the funnel piece and dump out the spider @ a location of your choosing with the water. Since he is still floating he will be unable to use his web to prevent this.
Enjoy :P
Posted by: vic | Aug 4, 2007 1:30:54 AM
oh ya; just to add for the hopelessly retarded... you are supposed to remove the bottle cap from the bottle and throw it out.
Posted by: vic | Aug 4, 2007 2:33:37 AM
put your thumb and forefinger in the pinch position, concentrate for half an hour, watch the fly, sooner or later it will gain your trust and just then ... strike.. catching it between your thumb and forefinger... then..GET A LIFE ...........
Posted by: bri | Aug 6, 2007 3:45:10 PM
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