Flies on balcony

[gavilan]

The builders recently finished joining the two buildings here together to make a delightful, roofed, wooden balcony ... approx 3m x 3m x 5m high ... wonderful place to sit and watch the sun set over the mountains ... or it would be but for the flies! ...the sort of flies that go round and round in the middle of the room. I have tried various kinds of incense to deter them but nothing has worked so far. I don't want to use a spray and anyway think it would be dissipated by the open air. Has anyone a solution or magic potion I can try?

[Enrique]

Hi gavilan,
Fly paper.........go under various names...........

Atrapa-Moscas or Fly-Kol

somewhere for them to rest and die

[Nimrod]

What about one of those battery operated fly swats that zap the flies ,like the blue lights you see in bakers.
Total satisfaction when you zap one.

[gavilan]

Fly paper ... fly swats ... I was really hoping for some organic old world herbs and flowers type of recipe ... which would also smell wonderful into the bargain!!!!! Not sit and watch and count the bodies squirming!

[Enrique]

Hi gavilan,

"which would also smell wonderful into the bargain"

A plastic drinks bottle hanging from a wire with old fish bits in the bottom, flies go in and feed to death.

Otherwise you'll have to wait for Crazyred to post and charm them away.

[gavilan]

Romantic lot, aren't you!!! Where is Crazyred???

[Footprint]

Eucalyptus is meant to keep the pesky beggars away - but not nearly so much fun as watching the bodies squirming

[Devils Advocate]

An electric fan. Disturbs the air and no more flies.

[Julie]

Grow some fresh pots of mint out there and put a large fan on as suggested.

[annfoto]

The large fan idea will work
I have tried loads of these old wives tales of growing pots of lavender, rosemary, basil or mint - they don't work, indeed I found that basil attracted the flies.
I haven't tried eucalyptus though, we don't have the height under the terrace roof, the ones near us down by the river are about 30 meters tall. Maybe if I can find a bonsai version

[Julie]

Our local bar grows mint in pots and it appears to work there:)

[gus-lopez]

If the ones that go round & round aren't annoying you I'd leave them alone. If you get rid of them they'll be replaced by the ones that bite. I'd do a swop if you want .

[gavilan]

I think I will try mint and eucalyptus first (maybe a bowl of crushed leaves or incense) ... rather than watch my electricity meter going round and round replacing the flies going round and round!

[Devils Advocate]

Fair enough, sorry I answered. You rely on voodoo then, and I'll stick with proven aerodynamics to sort the problem that annoys you so much.

[gavilan]

Or I could learn to meditate so I don't see the flies?!!!!
Actually bought 2 mint plants this morning and will cull some eucalyptus leaves in a while ... vamos a ver.

[gus-lopez]

Fair enough, sorry I answered. You rely on voodoo then, and I'll stick with proven aerodynamics to sort the problem that annoys you so much.

I know this works but not all the time. If you are out of the direct air then they'll tend to hang around you.
What I want to know is when there's one in the car & I open the window why isn't he blown away ? Why can he keep up even though he's not holding on to the car ?

[Devils Advocate]

Hi Gus, it works more of the time than sticking a piece of mint on the table though............I'd go as far as to say it's even better than wing of bat/eye of toad

Anyway it's bloody Spain and flies happen, it gets hot too in August and nasty workmen say manana!

You answer a post with an answer you firmly believe is helpfull ,as you know it works and get a smarmy answer...........well I hope the new terrace looks like a *beep* eccles cake tomorrow

[katy]

Who has rattled your cage this morning You should know by now that A.com is an eco friendly forum and uses nowt that costs money

[Devils Advocate]

Who has rattled your cage this morning You should know by now that A.com is an eco friendly forum and uses nowt that costs money

A pillock of an EPC inspector

[gavilan]

I think the last time I drew flack was when I was asking about a young woman artist at Tate Modern! I had not realised I was going to get it again when asking about flies on a balcony! Forgot to wear my bullet proof vest today!
And to DA: I was not being 'smarmy' and to katy: money is not the deciding factor and you know that. It is a small wooden balcony with a wooden roof ... by the time I have 2 chairs and a few other things, there is not much space for electric fans and other devices. And yes I was trying to maintain the organic feel to the space ... so I do prefer to try mint and eucalyptus ... think I will pm Crazyred!