The Flies Are Back...An Updated Fly Bag Tutorial at Your Service!

Doodle T and Me!
by Doodle T and Me!
2 Materials
$5
15 Minutes
Easy

Summer time means outdoor dining, which is great...except for the FLIES


It's time for a FLY WATER BAG UPDATE


Use this (new and improved!) trick for fly water bags to get rid of flies!


Ready to make fly water bags? Let's go!!!

Materials:

  • Pennies - 3 per bag
  • Quart plastic bags
  • Scissors
  • TWINE! (Here's my update...rather than using Clear Fishing Line, which is difficult to work with and doesn't always securely hold the knot, TWINE stays secure and is easy to work with.)


Quart Plastic Bags - Amazon LINK.

Twine - Amazon LINK.


DIRECTIONS TO MAKE FLY WATER BAGS:


First: Cut a SMALL SLIT in the top of the bag on one side of the closure flap


This is an update...Cutting the slit on one side of the bag flap, rather than on both flaps, makes it easier to insert the twine, and to seal the bag flaps to stop water from leaking out.

Next: insert a piece of twine through the slit.

Pull the twine through the slit making a loop...

Tie a knot to secure the loop.


This is the hanger for the fly water bag.

Drop 3 pennies into the bag.

Fill with water...Almost to the top of the closure strip.


Seal securely.

Make enough fly water bags to enclose your outdoor entertaining areas. We started with 5 around the perimeter of the dining and seating areas of the patio.

Ready to hang outside in the sun...

But exactly how do no-fly water bags work?


The science behind fly water bags:


It’s all about refraction and a fly’s complex eyes…


Flies have a highly sensitive array of eyes which allow it to see in multiple directions at once. The insect’s head mostly consists of a pair of large complex eyes, each of which is composed of 3,000 to 6,000 simple eyes. These eyes can’t move or focus on objects like human eyes, but they provide the fly with a mosaic view of the world around them. A housefly bases its sense of direction on the direction sunlight comes from. Some entomologists believe that when these complex, sensitive eyes experience refracted light, the insect becomes confused and flies away.

The most effective bags are hung where the sunlight will filter through the water inside the bag.

The bag swinging gently works best to get the biggest reflection.

The pennies drop to the bottom of the bag...They aid in refracting the sunlight through the water...To effectively drive the flies away!


Ready to enhance your pest control game?

Check out this DIY Fly Repellent For Porches project for another effective way to keep flies at bay!

Now sit back and enjoy your outdoor living!

Flies be gone! Fly free!


For All the Magic - Jeanne of Doodle T and Me!

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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 14 questions
  • Audrey Audrey on Aug 04, 2022

    Could you use aluminum foil instead of pennys. It's shinny.

  • Toni Toni on Aug 03, 2023

    What can you use for mosquitoes and also my daughter is having a huge problem with brown recluse spiders do you have any suggestions on how to rid them from the inside of your home? They have cats and two inside small dogs.

  • Cor85101505 Cor85101505 on Aug 03, 2023

    video by quilipta,com video source said it could NOT FEATURE THIS VIDEO. was really wanting to see!!!! perhaps another sponsor?

Comments
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3 of 39 comments
  • Suzanne Gorman Suzanne Gorman on Aug 03, 2023

    You can not tie a square knot in fishing line, it will slip. If you know how to tie a fishing hook to fishing line then it will not come out. My Dad taught me how to tie them and have used that lesson on many projects using just fishing line.

  • P P on Aug 05, 2023

    TONI: since brown recluse spiders bites can cause necrotizing fasciitis, which requires surgical excision of a large margin of skin & flesh around the dead 'meat' of the bite, this is NOT a pest issue on which to use do -it-yourself technologies & home remedies! Please tell your daughter to PAY a PROFESSIONAL EXTERMINATOR to get rid of brown recluse spiders!

    • Doodle T and Me! Doodle T and Me! on Aug 05, 2023

      Toni. I agree...a professional is needed for these spiders. Thanks for sharing. Jeanne if Doodle T and Me!

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