1. (Yes, it works. Fill it until its 3/4 full. Just a bit of an update. Another mum has raved about how hanging a bag containing water and pennies can help keep flies at bay Credit: Facebook. Just think of it as being the complete opposite of an oasis—once a fly spots the shiny coin and water combo, they’ll want to get as far away as possible. The penny in the plastic bag of water works great to keep flies away, hanging it on your door, like a wreath, to keep flies out of the house. What the insects are seeing in the bag is an example of light refraction, something the human eyes can handle, but for insect’s eyes, it’s a completely different story. I have gotten a ton of mail from all over the world when this column originally ran and the mail ran 9 to 1 saying this method worked. Some have said it magnifies the pennies resembling another insect’s eyes, scaring the fly away, while others say the clear liquid looks like the surface of a body of water, which the flies perceive as a place they don’t want to land. Flies see things a lot differently than people, so when the water and the coin reflect back into their eyes, it causes an unpleasant sight and causes them to have a hard time focusing on where they are flying. It is not clear why these water bags repel flies, but they do. Add the pennies to the Ziploc bag and then add about 1/2 cup of water to your Ziploc bag. Is there some truth to this or is a myth perpetuated by the sandwich bag industry? You just have to change the bag once the water starts getting green. Reply Was this helpful? The water bag method of fly repellant has many supporters, from restaurant owners to backyard grill-masters. The water bag acts a bit like a lens—try it some time—in which the movements of people in the area are reflected. There are at least two reasons explained for this remedy which seems to be beyond logic. yes a bag of water does keep files away as along as it is a clear bag. Measure out 2.5 cups of water and mix it with some salt and lime juice. A Perth-based woman has uncovered a little-known trick of ridding flies Bags of water hung to keep flies away. Bags of water hung from the ceiling can repel flies. The copper pennies keep the bags from getting algae. ), to each bag of water, or slivers of foil. A flies eyes (and many other winged things’ eyes) are like mirror balls themselves. Now … There has been no scientific study to prove if zip lock bags filled with water and penny's will keep flies away. Because flies need moisture and rotting material to breed, landscaping and garden maintenance are crucial to keeping flies away from your patio. A friend told me it is supposed to keep away flies. Others claim the insect flies away at the … The first chamber would hold the flies, the second would hold some rotten meat, and the third would hold both rotten meat and a bag of water. Or that flies are afraid of drowning. You can use different bags, but ensure they are sturdy enough to hold the water's weight without bursting. Keep Small Flies Away From Your Fruit Basket. By Sharron [4 Posts, 23 Comments] December 6, 2010 0 found this helpful. When you hang this bag at your outdoor entrances, flies will not be able to enter your house. Lemongrass oil won’t kill fruit flies, but it can repel them. Jason. I know it sounds silly but I saw it used at an outdoor restaurant last summer and it worked there. Seal the bag and hang it somewhere near your food. insert several pennies ( shiny ones are best ) they should line the bottom. Scientists say the method has no real merit, but restaurateurs on the Florida Keys and as far away as Texas swear by it, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Hang near a doorway (above) or near where flies will swarm. The Build Team made a rig consisting of three chambers separated by trap doors. Hanging a clear plastic bag half filled with water and a few pennies works to keep flies and other winged things away – here’s why: Water, itself, has zillions of molecules that all reflect light. If you place new fruit in it, wash them first. this sounds bizarre but it does work. You don’t … Many success stories ranging from the mild to the miraculous litter the Internet. To make Lemongrass spray you will need the … Fill one-half to two-thirds of each bag with plain tap water. If you have a fruit bowl, check often to make sure that the fruit inside is still fresh. Rake leaves and mulch or compost them. Admittedly it is one of the most curious methods of how to keep flies away but it is effective as a natural bug repellent. If you … Method 6: Essential Oil Fly Repellent Spray. The flies eventually learn to avoid the area, so they don’t get disoriented by the bags of water. crumple up & uncrumple a paper lunch bag several times. It will make it simpler to add to the bag. The movement of the water keeps flies away. ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Restaurant operators along the coasts of Florida are trying a new, yet simple, way to repel flies on dining patios -- hanging bags of water. One is that flies are frightened away by their own reflection, or by the reflecting foil or pennies. In this step, we will add the paper clip onto the bag. Essential oils make a great fly repellent and are good to keep away not only gnats, but also spiders, ants and mosquitoes.Good essential oils that repel flies include lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, neem, cinnamon or tea tree oil. So when the flies - or other winged creatures - … They then released … Use a Plastic Bag Half-Filled with Water to Repel Flies. Recommended Reading: Homemade fly traps. I really couldn't imagine what difference bags of water would make to a fly but I've seen this enough to make me wonder. Then drop the pennies in to the mixture. Doug replies: Apparently the water bags do drive houseflies away. Step 5: Add the Papper Clip . So the pennies really are not necessary if it is just for a day or so, and would need to be old as new pennies do not have enough copper. This method seems a little suspect, but scientists report that it does work. Zip-lock water bags Sue: Many people swear that a zip-lock bag filled half-way with water and attached over entry-ways will repel flies. And as flies approached the entryway, she saw exactly the effect that the owner had said the device has. I have no ideas why the plastic bags of water helped keep flies away for the 23 people above. This is supposed to reflect light and throw off the flies compound eye, but that will not have an effect or enough of an effect to make a difference on more than a few flies. to the flies, it looks like a wasp nest & they will avoid the area--of course there will be a few that will venture through the door but the fly population will dramatically drop in the house. How to bug-proof your home: Why putting coins inside a zip lock bag filled with water keeps pesky flies away from your house. Popular wisdom … Some insist the flies perceive the clear liquid as the surface of a body of water. "It seems to be working," said Jeannie Eckbloom, a … blow it up into a round shape & tie it shut. Some people add a penny, or four pennies (why four? If you fill a ziploc freezer bag (these are the strongest to hold liquid) and hang it somewhere. According to the University of Florida's Department of Entomology and Nematology, "Straw is one of the best fly … Add up to 5 drops of essential oil and up to 5 drops of natural dish washing liquid to 1 qt. Here are some tips for how to keep flies away. Simply fill a resealable Ziplock bag with water and drop in 4 or 5 pennies. Seal the bag and this is what you should have. Apparently, many, many people do believe the bags work, and hanging bags of water are common sights in restaurants and other public places and homes in some areas, especially in the South. If you are wondering why this works to keep the flies away, there’s some scientific evidence behind it. Unable to believe it until she and her friends had seen it in action, the woman hung out for a while. 1 — said two lemons cut in half, six cloves stuck in each half, kept flies away. Being an easy prey with poor defense skills, flies are not happy being around too much movement --a sign they can interpret as the proximity of a predator. To make your own fly repellent, simply get a gallon-sized zip-loc bag, fill it half to 3/4 with clean water, and drop 3 or 4 pennies in the bottom of the bag. The best explanation is simple light refraction going through the bag of water that confuses the housefly. You just need to have a clear plastic bag filled with water. The paper clip will hold the bag up where ever you put it. hang it above the door. The flies will completely avoid the area. Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download. Pour the mixture into a Ziploc bag until it’s nearly full and add some pennies before sealing it. Lemon Grass Spray for Fruit Flies: Fruit flies hate lemongrass spray. busted. Fruit that is rotten or overripe will attract fruit flies. Use Plastic Water Bags to Keep Away Flies. Not mosquitoes, not no-see-ums, not spiders, not roaches, not … A more reasonable explanation is that it’s simply light refraction through the bag and the water that keeps the flies away. Now pour the water in to the sandwich bag. I don’t know how, but it does There is a science about the way the flies eye works that fragments the penny into a million predators — I’m not sure But, I know it does work — we’ve had the same bag hanging on our door, with no flies in the house.) Fruit flies are annoying little flies and they come in dozens. First off bend, the paper clip like so. Add reflective pennies and even more light is reflected for a mirror ball effect. (1 l) of water. Keep grass trimmed, and trim trees and bushes. The mixture is used to help keep the pennies shiny. It really is the easiest way to keep flies away. Once the bag is firmly sealed, it can be hung from or nailed to an eave near a doorway to keep the nasty critters from entering your home. Durable, clear, 1-gallon, plastic, zip-top bags work well, but use the sturdy, freezer-safe variety or double bag the water. Get more details about this trap here. This is rather interesting and a very effective way to get rid of flies. Yes. There are also multiple explanations as to why this supposedly works. You will need water, a Ziploc, and a few pennies. This myth is based in the theory that refracted light in water confused flies’ compound eyes. The woman recalled, “We actually watched some flies come in the open window, stand around on the … One is that the flies are not able to see the … So how does a plastic bag filled with water drive flies away you may ask? The owner told us that these baggies kept the flies away naturally.” ADVERTISEMENT. The pennies aren't necessary to keep the flies away. Advertisement. Some people think the flies are frightened away by their own magnified … While closing the bag, do not let the air out or the flies may get a chance to escape. Fly bags consist of plastic bags filled with water, and often shiny pennies are added to further confound insects. Remove any standing water, including that in planters. Hang Bags of Water From Porches to Repel Flies. 3. Tie a knot, if required without disturbing the flies inside. … To make your own fly repellent, simply get a gallon-sized zip-loc bag, fill it half to 3/4 with clean water, and drop 3 or 4 pennies in the bottom of the bag. “Why Flies and Water Bags Just Can’t Get Along. Does zip lock bag filled with water and penny's keep flies away? Use a one gallon plastic storage bag and fill with water or as much as possible. The amount of bags you would need to hang around your home to make an effect would probably look funny to most folks. I worked in a Deli and we hung several bags outside where the garbage bags were put and they really worked. 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