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Woman Comes Up With Genius Way To Keep Flies At Bay

Woman Comes Up With Genius Way To Keep Flies At Bay

It apparently interferes with their sight

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

Is there anything on the planet more infuriating than a fly trapped in the room? Well, I say 'trapped' - but what I mean is 'too thick to go back out of the window it just came in through'. It's usually followed by them doing that thing where they fly into the window about a million times, even though the door is wide open. Also painfully annoying.

But one clever lady has come up with an idea that apparently cures you of your fly related woes.

All you need is a ziploc bag, some coins and some water.

Apparently this is all you need to do to repel flies.
Facebook/Mrs Hinch Cleaning

Posting on the Facebook group Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips, she revealed that a bag of water with some pennies in will keep flies away.

She wrote: "Seen a few posts about flies coming indoor as we've all our doors and windows open in this beautiful weather!" before unveiling her solution: "A clear bag half filled with water with a few copper coins in!"

The post continued: "Hang above door/open windows, flies hate it! I've not had 1 in days.... Google it for the reasoning behind it - I promise you I'm not crazy, it works."

Ew.
Pixabay

According to howstuffworks.com, the science behind it has something to do with light refraction and goes a bit like this: "Refraction takes place when a clear or opaque object, such as a piece of glass or a bag of water, alters the course and velocity of light.

"The rays of light, which normally travel in a straight line, bend. This effect is responsible for some optical illusions, such as mirages, that occasionally baffle humans as well.

"In theory, refraction can be just as confusing for some species of insect, especially the housefly. It boasts a highly sensitive array of eyes that allow it to see in multiple directions at once.

"A housefly bases its sense of direction on the direction sunlight comes from. Some entomologists suggest that when these complex, sensitive eyes experience refracted light, the insect becomes confused and flies away."

Sounds believable enough. So does it actually work? Well, looks like the answer is 'possibly' - opinion seems to be split. One study even said that this method actually attracted flies, while another said it could simply be a placebo.

Still, other members of the Facebook group were impressed, commenting and liking hundreds of times.

One said: "Amazing am gny do this i hate they bloody flies getting in (sic)."

Confirming the theory works, another wrote: "I do this, & it works, also, blow up a brown paper bag tie it up & hang it up, this will stop wasps, as they think it's another wasp nest, & stay away (the bag should be medium in size)."

Placebo or not - if it makes you feel better, fill your boots.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Interesting