Why do flies....?

[cupid04]

Why do flies and moths etc fly round and a light even when it's not switched on? I thought they were only attracted to the light. And how do I get rid of
them from my lounge without having to spray fly killer which stinks the place
out hours after you've sprayed it?

[RATTER15]

Many flying insects like to alight on places where they can see all round their space just in case a predator approaches. Most light fittings and alarms are fitted in such locations and are therefore preferred by flies. Also, lights and alarms are objects that "stick" out of the surfaces and make a good perch.

I got that from some Yahoo site!

[Safiya]

have you tried a fly swatter or one of those sticky things that hang from the ceiling (horrible things they are lol)

theres been a little and i mean little fly in our house for a couple of days now..... it dive bombs me....just me no one else.... its in my face buzzing round my head for ages when im relaxing after tea....... wish it would sod off and buzz round the light lol

[cupid04]

Flies dive bomb my face. I hate them near my ears. Mr. Cupid jokingly says
they wont fly in my ear because they're not space invaders. Not funny! I have
got one of those sticky things up but they wont get on it.

[emmie]

i have same problems and have armed myself with raid, and any little b****er that comes near gets a squirt. I have those sticky fly papers, but they aren't interested. Hate them around me, or in the house.

[Clanad]

Many insects that are attracted to light (phototaxis) are also attracted to heat. A previously lighted incandescent bulb (rapidly, alas, becoming extinct) retain and continue to give off heat for lengthy periods time after being turned off...

[Frank97]

You could always buy a Pitcher plant or a Venus Fly Trap.

[Postdog]

Sell you my dog for a few grand. He sorts flies out lovely! Only snag is he has not yet learned not to go after bees and wasps.

[cupid04]

My cat chases moths and butterflies but hasn't learnt they taste revolting. You
should see his little face when trying to spit them out.
Could try one of them blue light things they have in food stores. They make a lovely noise when they fry the culprits. Yuk!

[emmie]

the only thing that got stuck to the flypaper was me, and its a so and so to get off.

[cupid04]

I wish they'd bu88er off to wherever it is they go in winter.

[Postdog]

Just a thought, the only fly spray I will use is Raid because it (to me) doesn't smell as much as some of the others. Also extremely effective when used direct on the fly as a target - most times the fly is swirling and buzzing on the floor within seconds.

[Sir Alec]

Excellent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd8GNC3VrJk

[SpikeyBush]

I heard an alleged specialist on the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 a couple of weeks ago highly recommend 'red top fly trap'. Google it.

My trouble & strife got a battery powered handheld bug zapper from Aldi the week before last. Instead of swatting flies with it, just gently wave it through the cloud of flies or midges as they swarm around the light, listen to the crackles and smell the burning. It may only run off AA batteries but it still packs a big enough punch to kill wasps and bluebottles.