No Fly Swatter? No Problem — Here’s How to Get Rid of Flies Without One

Flies get a bad rap, and deservedly so. These nuisance insects carry bacteria and disease, and can be incredibly difficult to get rid of. While a fly swatter is the best tool for the job, if there isn’t one at hand, it’s time to improvise. While there are many different types of flies, we’ll focus on houseflies (Musca domestica Linnaeus), a grayish-black, two-winged insect that feasts on organic matter like food and feces. Here are some of the best ways to kill (or catch and release) a fly without a fly swatter.

Why Are Flies So Hard to Catch?

Flies have super fast visual processing speeds that allow them to capture up to 300 frames per second through their 4000 eye lenses. To compare, humans process about 60 frames per second. Flies can see threats coming and move away in time to avoid being hit. “When your hand is moving toward them it appears in slow motion,” Damian Marcello, entomologist with Fox Pest Control, says.

Beyond superior sight speeds, flies also have lightning fast muscle contractions and flight stabilizers that make them able to instinctually fly away when a threat is detected. “Flies can detect movement and threats fast, which is why swatting them rarely works,” Ed Dolshun of pest-control brand Catchmaster, says. “By the time you’ve decided to swing at them, they’ve already moved.”

Common Fly Swatting Mistakes

When swatting flies, you’ll want to avoid these missteps:

Swatting with a solid object

Attempting to swat a fly with something solid like a book rarely leads to success. Their body hairs and antennae will instantly detect the air movement, giving them plenty of warning to move out of the way.

Aiming exactly at the fly

When flies detect a threat, they immediately move away by rising up or flying backward. To improve accuracy when swatting, don’t aim for their exact resting spot but the space above or behind them.

Swatting from too far away

You’ll have better luck swatting flies if you strike from a close distance. This gives the fly less time to react and get away, so get as close as you can before swatting.

Simple Household Alternatives to Fly Swatters

While fly swatters are ideal, try these alternatives if there’s not one handy:

Slotted spatula

Slotted spatulas allow air to pass through them, closely duplicating the effectiveness of an actual fly swatter. But, make sure to wash it thoroughly before using for cooking again.

Hands

You can swat a fly with your hands, but it takes a little creativity. Instead of swinging right at the fly, try clapping your hands together in the space right above where the fly is resting. When they take off either straight up or backwards, you’ll improve your chances of actually hitting it.

Alternatively, slowly position your hand as close to the fly as possible without spooking it, then slap it quickly.

Dishtowel

Don’t use a dry dish towel as it will move too slowly to swat a fly. Instead, wield a lightly damp dishtowel like a whip for improved success.

Catch and Release Options

Vacuum cleaner

Use the crevice attachment to quickly suck up flies, then open the canister outside to release them unharmed.

Cup and cardboard method

Quickly place a cup over a fly, then slide a piece of paper or cardboard under the cup, trapping the fly inside. Carry the setup outside to release the fly.

DIY bottle trap

Cut the top third off of a two-liter bottle and place it upside down inside the remaining bottle section. Put a piece of fruit or a splash of apple cider and sugar in the bottom to attract the flies. They’ll become trapped when they fly in after the bait, which can then be emptied outside.

How to Prevent Flies

Keep flies from developing in the first place by removing or reducing their food supply. Dolshun suggests the following fly prevention tips:

• Keep trash in sealed containers, away from the house.
• Clean up pet waste right away.
• Inside, cover food and wipe up spills.
• Don’t let produce sit out once it starts to turn.

Additionally, Marcello says to keep an eye out for any signs of rodents and other pests. “Doing a brief scan near the attic entry for droppings can help you catch things before they become a bigger issue,” he says. “Rodents that have passed on can breed flies that come into the house often unexpectedly.”

FAQ

Can a fly really see you coming?

“Sure can,” Dolshun says. “Flies have compound eyes, each with thousands of tiny lenses that allow a nearly 360-degree field of vision.”

Are flies dangerous?

Yes. Flies can transfer bacteria and diseases as they move between waste and food. They regurgitate onto food before they eat it, which can contaminate surfaces with E. coli, salmonella and over 100 other pathogens.

About the Experts

• Ed Dolshun is vice president of business development and technical director at Catchmaster, a national pest-control device brand.
• Damian Marcello is an associate certified entomologist at Fox Pest Control, a pest extermination service company.

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