Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
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Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
1–10 of 80 posts
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#2And why are flies found in the country significantly harder to swat than those you find in the city?
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#3In my experience flies have much harder time avoiding a finger flick.
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#4The article doesn't mention this but as I understand flies can only see motion. So when you move very slow you can catch them.
It doesn't mean that they only see moving objects by the way. In flight they see because everything is moving around them.
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#5If you want to catch a stationary fly, it's pretty easy to do so with your bare hands. The key thing to know is that they jump backward before taking flight.
Aim for a spot about 1-2" behind the fly, and about 1-2" above the fly. Try to catch it there, and your success percentage will be high.
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#6If you want to catch a stationary fly, it's pretty easy to do so with your bare hands. The key thing to know is that they jump backward before taking flight. Aim for a spot about 1-2" behind the fly, and about 1-2" above the fly. Try to catch it there , and your success percentage will be high.
I was about to post the same. Last time I used this technique, I hit 3/3.
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#7In my experience flies have much harder time avoiding a finger flick.
Yes. Bring the hand close very slowly, forefinger cocked... then....pow.
Other techniques I've employed: (1) cling film (saran wrap), (2) detergent spray (slows em down; dispatch after 2-4 rounds), (3) vacuum cleaner nozzle (they hunker down but are sucked in upon take-off)
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#8If you want to catch a stationary fly, it's pretty easy to do so with your bare hands. The key thing to know is that they jump backward before taking flight. Aim for a spot about 1-2" behind the fly, and about 1-2" above the fly. Try to catch it there , and your success percentage will be high.
You have to learn the kind of fly though. Take-off differs between species :)
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#9Three techniques:
1. Move your open hand towards the fly very slowly until you are 5cm (2 in) away then slap.
2. Move both hands slowly towards the fly and "clap" to catch it.
3. Blow gently downwards onto the fly, then slowly increase the force of the blowing. You might then be able to pin its wing to the surface.
Yes, I have a lot of time on my hands.
Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?
#10Where’s the video of the killer fly catching a fruit fly? I want to see that.