Flies!

[kingfisher24]

They all go to Michigan in the Summer...esp the UP

[Melody Ranch]

My Curtis does not have a screen door. Neither does it have a door within a door set up. I was wondering if a bead curtain across he doorway would work to keep flying insects out and still provide air flow and light. Any body have a solution?

[Gypsy Jo]

A couple of ideas.
Melody Ranch We used to use a sheer curtain over the doorway .if you get some weights on the bottom it hangs in the doorway pretty good or magnets if you can find aluminum ones help keep it in place and there is always velcro.
Smokey
Also have used fly spray for horses that has citronella oil or you can get just the oil . I would spray it around where the flies are getting in at. If you spray it on material makes sure it doesn't stain.
I would spray it on the door curtain or screen door.
Hope this will help.
Jo

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Around our house, geckos take care of many of flying insects that are drawn to porch lights. We don't scare them off; they're good luck.

So geckos are insurance against flying insects. Hmmm, I guess we bought the wrong brand of insurance.

Gene

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

So geckos are insurance against flying insects. Hmmm, I guess we bought the wrong brand of insurance.

Gene

That's funny Gene.

Someone mentioned the electric handheld fly "swatter". This seems like a good option because it doesn't squish the bugs, just kills them. Flys are pretty easy to kill with them. You can also get your spouses attention in a hurry with one...

Another variation on the baggie idea that I was told about:
Blow up a sandwich size brown paper bag, tie a string around the neck. Place the bag up high outside your door entrance(s), supposedly flys won't enter that door. I heard they think it is a wasp nest???

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

My Curtis does not have a screen door. Neither does it have a door within a door set up. I was wondering if a bead curtain across he doorway would work to keep flying insects out and still provide air flow and light. Any body have a solution?

16 years ago, we bought a Casita trailer that had no screen. It had a curved door like an Airstream. We bought a screen for it that hung from the top of door opening, It was 4 or 5 overlapping vertical panels of mosquito net like fabric. The panels had a rubber (or something like it) border around each panel with a much wider rubber strip at the bottom of each panel to provide weight.

It worked fairly well. but I have no ideas about how to find something like that again. It was a product made for RVs.

Ken

[mojo]

I've found that showering daily works pretty good.

[Air Cruiser]

I've been told about those baggies and the water, but I think there is something else that is supposed to go into the baggie besides water -- like pennies or something? I just can't remember what it is............one of those things that at the time I thought "That's great, I'm going to remember that", but now I can't.

Deb

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by D. Hall

I've been told about those baggies and the water, but I think there is something else that is supposed to go into the baggie besides water -- like pennies or something? I just can't remember what it is............one of those things that at the time I thought "That's great, I'm going to remember that", but now I can't.

Deb

I believe it is $100 dollar bills and then you hang the baggies on my front porch.

[2vets]

This time of year we get what we call cluster flies...reminds me of the song Phish wrote called Farmhouse

Welcome this is a Farmhouse
We have cluster flies alas
And this time of year is bad
We are so very sorry,
There's little we can do
But swat them

[Lily&Me]

We purchased a screen for the rear doors of our Interstate, which attaches with velcro strips all the way around the opening and zips up the center. It is great in good weather, so you can enjoy the outdoors without the insects.

We don't have a screen for the sliding side door opening, but are considering purchasing one. The Interstate is in storage across town, and I don't recall the name of the manufacturer, but a Class B dealer may be able to tell you. They are made-to-order, very good quality and easy to install.

This is a similar item.

Bug Off Instant Screen - Real Goods

Maggie

[Melody Ranch]

I think that is a great one..Maggie. I will try a look at it.

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Smoky

Eastern New Mexico...near Clovis.

In that area there are several cattle operations, especially just across the border in Texas. These can support huge populations of flies and mosquitoes.

A search of EPA water discharge permits in Clovis shows two feedlots, nine dairy operations, and three classified as beef cattle, except feedlots (whatever that means). A similar search for Friona, TX, only 35 miles northeast turns up 12 feedlots and 33 dairy operations. While dairy operations have a lot of cattle, feedlots often have 80,000 to 100,000 cattle in a concentrated area. The one I worked in one summer in college, back in the 1970s, had 100,000 and that was the norm for feedlots around Friona then.

In short, it's fly and bug heaven there.

[jrudd1968]

I'm with Crusty! I've used the water 1/2 filled bag and they worked for me! I saw them for the first time at a Bar-B-Que joint. Never thought they would work but tried them once at State Park in Galveston when flies were bad and they did reduce the number of flies subtantially! Now, I know this is not going to look good coming from two Texans, but give it a try!

[Frank's Trailer Works]

We tried the pennies and bag trick at an event this past summer. The results were astounding: more flies on the bag of water and pennies than on the tent they were hanging from.

[Smoky]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

In that area there are several cattle operations, especially just across the border in Texas. These can support huge populations of flies and mosquitoes.

A search of EPA water discharge permits in Clovis shows two feedlots, nine dairy operations, and three classified as beef cattle, except feedlots (whatever that means). A similar search for Friona, TX, only 35 miles northeast turns up 12 feedlots and 33 dairy operations. While dairy operations have a lot of cattle, feedlots often have 80,000 to 100,000 cattle in a concentrated area. The one I worked in one summer in college, back in the 1970s, had 100,000 and that was the norm for feedlots around Friona then.

In short, it's fly and bug heaven there.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I do see massive cattle operations and smell the aroma that goes along with it. My right arm is getting really sore from murdering flies all day and I'm beginning to realize it's a losing battle. I think my only solution is to move on. Thanks for the great tips everyone.

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Smoky

I think you hit the nail on the head. I do see massive cattle operations and smell the aroma that goes along with it. My right arm is getting really sore from murdering flies all day and I'm beginning to realize it's a losing battle. I think my only solution is to move on. Thanks for the great tips everyone.

Hi Smoky,

"Funny" you should mention that, I started to add "I haven't even mentioned the smell" to my post.

Of course you're getting a nice workout on your arm.

If you haven't done it yet, you should check out Palo Duro Canyon just south of Amarillo. It's beautiful, and I don't remember flies there-a little further from the cattle operations (it has been a while, though).

[Crusty]

Hmm ... James you brought up a point that I hadn't considered - maybe it only works on flies that prefer BBQ as their staple diet - that might be a subspecies that scientists are unaware of, but it seems like they ought to be able to see the little cowboy hats, belt buckles and pairs of boots under a microscope.

[Melody Ranch]

28deg. in the Pan Handle area. Damn! hose Texas flies are tuff.

[joelin1]

Does anyone think about using air door for our trailers ?