Why is it so hard to swat a fly? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#41

Post by tr1ck5t3r » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 2:27 PM UTC

apl wrote: post #12

As someone who works in visual neuroscience, this article's a tough read. Lots of statements that are semi-accurate at best. 1) Eyes don't work like cameras; there's no real "exposure" phase as such (even though there's lots of thresholds). So it's misleading to talk about discrete images that we sample at some fixed frequency. Instead, it's much more helpful to think of photoreceptors and subsequent processing stage…

I always find a better success rate using a gauze like material with sufficient holes to let air flow through it rather than around it, which considering the weight of the fly, could help it effectively surf the air flow the swatting device generates as it goes to make contact with the area the fly was on.

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#42

Post by jwilk » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 2:33 PM UTC

roceasta wrote: post #7

grafelic wrote: post #3

In 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)

What do you do with cling film?

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#43

Post by jwilk » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 2:37 PM UTC

dagaci wrote: post #39

You will notice that flies do not generally flee from things swaying (plants branches, curtains) in the wind, if you make a sway movement with your swatting implement the fly will ignore you when your too close for it to escape.

... when you're too close ...

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#44

Post by ComputerGuru » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 2:48 PM UTC

zomg wrote: post #32

after watching karate kid, i now catch flies exclusively with chopsticks. i'm 3,285 for 3,285!

Please respect HN’s rules for on-topic discussion.

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#45

Post by dredmorbius » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 2:49 PM UTC

i_feel_great wrote: post #9

Three 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.

Spray fly with water.

The spray is likely to hit it. Wet flies don't.

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#46

Post by simpsond » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 2:52 PM UTC

Anecdote: I find that towel snapping works well.

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#47

Post by nemo1618 » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 2:58 PM UTC

j-conn wrote: post #30

Check out the "bug-a-salt" salt gun. With good aim it's more effective and fun than a flyswatter. Absurdly, amazon wouldn't ship to California but you can buy from https://bugasalt.com When swatting, I've found they can only fly forward and had good success anticipating that movement. Apparently others in this thread can catch them on the fly's initial backwards jump, which I had never noticed.

These are fun but I found them incredibly hard to aim; for me, the Bug-a-salt was only effective when less than two feet away from the fly. (And the fly had to be stationary -- no dramatic mid-air takedowns.)

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#48

Post by praptak » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 3:06 PM UTC

It's super easy with an electric fly swatter - it's like a small tennis racket which kills on contact. They might see it with their super fast vision but the racket is just too large for them to avoid m

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#49

Post by travmatt » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 3:32 PM UTC

i_feel_great wrote: post #9

Three 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.

I've had success with blowing on them before I whack them - I remember hearing they also use changes in the air pressure as a cue to move.

Re: Why is it so hard to swat a fly?

#50

Post by jesperlang » Sun, Sep 17, 2017, 3:48 PM UTC

I've found it much easier to try and hit the fly mid air with one open palm, rather than crushing it against a surface. If you hit it, it will be fall to the floor dizzy/stunned. From there just pick it up with a piece of paper.