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Original poster

Stopping flies from getting in the door

14 replies

kazzawazzawoo · 16/05/2014 21:02

We leave the back door open in warm weather, but get a lot of flies in the kitchen.

So please recommend the best thing to hang at the door to stop them getting in. The only problems are a) my husband maintains we can't attach anything to the wall, so it needs to be easy to hang! and b) we have a cat flap, so the net blinds that attach by Velcro won't work.

Lastly I'm on a very tight budget.

Thanks.

OP posts:
HolidayCriminal · 17/05/2014 06:41

Can you do anything to not attract flies in? Do they go for your bin?

Iamnotachewtoy · 17/05/2014 06:48

I have a voile curtain on an expanding curtain rod (like this www.dunelm-mill.com/m/shop/tension-rod-50209) which I fix to the inside of the door frame. If it's windy I use clothes pegs to attach the voile to the sides of the frame. It works a treat.

NaturalBaby · 17/05/2014 06:58

I go slightly insane in warm weather as we have doors and windows open with small children and there is always a fly in the house. I nearly bought insect screens but then found fly repellent in Homebase I think - it looks like an air freshener and I put in on a shelf by the back door. It works quite well but there's usually a few smaller bugs that get past it. I then have one of those blue light fly zapper things that I leave on at night.

Original poster
kazzawazzawoo · 17/05/2014 08:18

The fly repellent sounds interesting. Do you know what it's called,? I'll look for it tomorrow. Is it a chemical thing or a plug in thing?

OP posts:
Isthiscorrect · 17/05/2014 08:25

We live overseas and all windows have fly screens. However our back door didn't. I purchased online a magnetic door screen. It has vertical material slats which overlap each other and you just squeeze thru. It attaches magnetically top and bottom. It is the best thing since sliced bread. I will look for the link.

Isthiscorrect · 17/05/2014 08:32

www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/pest-reach-magnetic-door-screen-prodc702i/

This isn't the exact one but looks good enough for the price.

Original poster
kazzawazzawoo · 17/05/2014 09:22

Thanks Smile The problem is the cat flap, my cats won't be able to get in and out if the screen is there. I need something that is only there when the door is open ideally.

OP posts:
Alkemi · 17/05/2014 10:15

I followed the link to the magnetic screen idea. It says in the blurb that it is easily removable to use on other doorways, so not a permanent fixture. In the reviews several people comment on how their pets have learnt to go in and out through it during the day. Looks like an ideal solution to me- and the cost of a couple of skinny lattes!

NaturalBaby · 17/05/2014 21:15

The repellent is a small plastic box, you slide the cover up and put it on a shelf or something. this

Original poster
kazzawazzawoo · 17/05/2014 23:17

Thanks I'll look at all these. Maybe the magnetic one will work, but I have to be able to put it up, as I'll be waiting for ever if I wait for dh to put it up.

OP posts:
echt · 18/05/2014 03:02

Google envirosafe.au and look at their fly trap. There's probably a European version of it. It's a powder mixed with water that leave near a window, and all the flies love it, get, and die. Australia is fly city in the spring and this really works.

The down side is the appalling smell when you have to bury the contents in the garden. For us it's worth it because it doesn't harm useful insects and we no longer get flies in the house at all.

SquinkiesRule · 18/05/2014 07:23

We have used these. www.amazon.co.uk/Rescue-BFTD-BB24-Disposable-Big-Trap/dp/B000BQRQ8C We had lots of flies coming into the garage and house from the horses next door.
We hung this at the side of the house nearest the horses and it worked great, cut way down on flies. You can't hand it next to your open door or window as they smell, thats what attracts the flies into it instead of the house.

wormshuffled · 18/05/2014 08:18

I got my DH a fly swatter called the executioner...... when flies come in now there is a race for the fly swatter. It's hilarious, they actually go bang!! Yes I know we are all evil.....

PigletJohn · 18/05/2014 14:53

you might not be "allowed" to fix anything to the wall, but if there is a wooden doorframe, you can put screw hooks or screw eyes in to the top corners, where they are out of sight, and perhaps attach some kind of curtain or screen.

this is also a good place to hang your door key (at the top on the hinge side) as it is out of sight or reach of an intruder, but you can easily grab it to open the door.

I have a feeling that cats will learn to push through a slit in a screen or curtain.

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