Top 4 Best Fly Swatters

Our conclusion from this roundup is that there are a lot of riffs on the simple fly swatter from making them affordable to getting one that will last. Let’s delve into some details about controlling these pests and things you can do to avoid an issue with them.

Flies are opportunistic, always on the hunt for food and places to breed and lay eggs. It’s essential to understand that having desirable habitat will lure them to your backyard. That’s where you need to begin to find out why you have a problem with them. That will also provide the necessary information you need to prevent a recurrence which we’ll discuss later.

Factors that will attract flies to your home include:

• Sources of Standing Water
• Open Garbage Cans
• Compost Bins
• Decaying Vegetation
• Animal Feces or Manure

Identifying these sources and eliminating them is a crucial first step. However, there are other things that are beyond your control which also play a role. Temperature, for example, determines their activity level. Unfortunately, the conditions that flies prefer coincide with the same ones that people enjoy. They like low humidity and pleasant temp ranges between 68 and 77℉.

The sad fact of the matter is that you’ll always have issues with these pests whether it’s them buzzing you while walking on a trail or biting at your legs while dining outdoors. The carbon dioxide in your breath is the attractant. The best way to deal with flies is with a multi-faceted approach aimed at both getting rid of them and repelling them at the same time.

In addition to the advice above, you’ll also need to deal with them both directly and indirectly. Fortunately, you have several options on either score. You can use chemical and physical means to kill them. The former, while useful, poses both human and environmental risks, especially if handled incorrectly. The alternative is safe choices like fly paper or traps.

They negate the use of insecticides with a solution that is safer to use around pets and children. You can opt for more elaborate devices such as electronic bug zappers too. To keep your home pest-free, make sure to repair any holes in screens on windows or doors. And your mother was right about keeping the door closed, especially during the day when the flies are most active.

If you choose pesticides, we strongly urge you to read the label in its entirety before you use these products. Follow the instructions to the letter. Many insecticides are broad spectrum which means they will also kill non-targeted insects and even beneficial ones like bees. Some have specific precautions about using them near water sources or on food plants.

Sometimes, avoidance is the best way to go, especially when dealing with pests like horse flies. Since repellents are ineffective against them, you’ll have to try other means of protection such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and donning a hat when you’re outside. Flies gravitate toward dark colors, so keep that in mind too.

Total prevention is impossible. However, you’re a long way toward control by removing the things that attract flies in the first place. Then, it’s a matter of maintaining proper sanitation. If you have a compost pile, turn it often so that it can continue breaking down organic matter sufficiently. Likewise, keep the garbage cans tightly covered to contain odors.

Rinse anything you plan to recycle before you toss it in the bin. Those sweet odors from beverages and foodstuffs will entice these pests and provide a food source. Also, clean up any spills on your patio or deck promptly. Taken as a whole, all of these measures will help prevent a problem before it gets out of hand.