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What Are Non-Toxic Ways to Kill Houseflies?

House flies are commonly found in areas where people reside because they are attracted to food scrapes, garbage and other waste. While typically just a nuisance, House flies are capable of transmitting disease such as Tuberculosis. Because of this, it is advisable to eliminate house flies that reside with humans. Non-toxic methods to eliminate house flies include fly paper, light traps and fly swatters.

  1. Fly Paper

    • Fly paper consists of wide strips of adhesive paper that are typically hung from ceilings. Fly paper may contain a scent that attracts flies to them, where upon the Fly becomes stuck and eventually dies. Fly tape needs to be replaced as it loses adhesiveness or becomes filled with flies. According to Colorado State University, fly paper is most effective in areas where there is adequate sanitation. This is because sanitary areas tend to have low fly populations to begin with.

    Light Traps

    • Light traps work by emitting ultra-violet light, which attracts flies to them. The light trap then kills any fly that comes into contact with it through electrocution or a sticky pad. Light traps work best when they are used at night when all other lights are off. This is because flies will be attracted to the light trap as it will be the only light source available.

    Fly Swatters

    • Fly swatters are a manual way of killing flies that work by striking a fly when it lands. Fly swatters can be purchased from many retailers, however, you can also roll up a newspaper or magazine as an alternative. Effective fly swatting takes practice as flies tend to be very alert to their surroundings. One trick is to slowly position your fly swatter as close as you can to the fly before striking. This will give the fly less time to react to your swinging motion.

    Permethrin

    • Permethrin is a pesticide, which technically makes it toxic. However, permethrin is a low-risk pesticide that falls below the Environmental Protection Agency's level of concern under the Residential Risk category, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site. Permethrin is an effective way to eliminate flies when applied to room corners, according to Colorado State University. This is because flies tend to rest in these areas when they are not in flight.

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