As the mercury rises and the days stretch longer, Australians are embracing the joys of summer. The season beckons us outdoors to sizzle snags on the barbie, lounge by the pool, and enjoy picnics under the sun-kissed sky. However, with the warmth comes a less welcome aspect of the season: flies. These winged nuisances are as synonymous with Australian summers as cricket and sunscreen, and they can turn a pleasant afternoon into a swatting frenzy.
Dr David Yeates, director of the CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection, explains that flies are particularly active during the summer months. They emerge from their larval stages to take advantage of the warm weather, which, combined with the rain, creates a perfect breeding ground for these pests.
The house fly, with its penchant for decaying organic matter, and the bush fly, attracted to human sweat, are the main culprits that can ruin our outdoor dining experiences. But fear not, fellow Aussies, for there is an affordable and effective solution that has been making waves—or rather, ripples of disgust—across social media.
An $11 Bunnings fly trap has become the talk of the town, thanks to a viral social media video by Perth nurse Keeley Starling. In the video, she demonstrates how this simple device, after just three days in her backyard, becomes a graveyard for flies. The trap uses a non-toxic, pesticide-free solution that lures flies in and drowns them. While the sight and smell of the trap brimming with dead flies may be off-putting, its effectiveness is undeniable.
However, it’s important to note that while these traps are excellent at killing flies, they may not significantly reduce the overall fly population in your area. Dr. Yeates suggests that the satisfaction of seeing dead flies might give a false sense of control over the situation. Flies are highly mobile and can quickly repopulate an area, so a single trap in your garden is unlikely to make a dent in their numbers.
Despite this, using such traps is a far better alternative to spraying chemicals or pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects and disrupt the ecological balance, potentially exacerbating the fly problem.
To further combat these pesky invaders, there are several additional steps you can take:
- Keep all food, including scraps and compost, covered to avoid attracting flies.
- Ensure your home is fitted with flyscreens on windows and doors, and regularly check for holes or gaps.
- Regularly take out the rubbish and secure bin lids to prevent flies from breeding inside.
- Promptly clean up after pets to remove another potential breeding ground.
- Use insect repellent when dining outdoors to keep flies at bay.
- Avoid leaving standing water in your backyard, which can attract flies.
- Plant more flowering plants to encourage beneficial insects that can help maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Dr Yeates reminds us that a pest problem often indicates an ecological imbalance. By fostering a more balanced environment in our gardens and urban spaces, we can naturally reduce the prevalence of flies and other pests.
What are your go-to strategies for keeping summer pests at bay? Share your tips and experiences below, and let’s work together to enjoy a beautiful, fly-free Aussie summer!
