Question about flies (new home, school, stores)

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Lady Bugs do not swarm....if you have a large grouping of what look like Lady Bugs, chances are they are Asian Lady Beetles. Not the same thing at all..and these bite.

Oh great, yet another species of insect to worry about. So far we have had only 1 ladybug out back but there must be more! Better stock up on vinegar I guess. We live in a neighborhood where, within a radius of 1 mile there are hog farms, turkey farms, cows, goats and chickens so I would imaging they draw some of the pests we encounter every day. Being a native of a cold weather area I know that none can survive a good freeze and we are hoping for one...soon! Thanks for your input as I can now swat away knowing my purpose is to rid my acreage of not only flies but spiders, Asian Lady Beetles and whatever else flies (no pun intended) into our midst.

PS: Catrick take note...this is serious stuff!

[ncisgreat]

Originally Posted by Mikey_NC

Catrick and ncisgreat: You two have a wealth of knowledge that I intend to tap into. First, all of the ladies seem to like vinegar. Must be something we males don't understand. Second, my Wife prefers the white kind so that's what we will be attacking the little buggers with in the A.M. when they are at a disadvantage. Third, Wife said that ladybugs are off limits...haven't heard that since I spent a tour in South Korea at the invitation of Uncle Sam. Last, be assured that I will report back and advise how well the 50/50 solution (or the deadly undiluted version) actually worked. I'm pulling out my never used yet fly swatter that I got at the Hollerin Contest from Star Phone Company. It is all plastic, solid and promises to take a lot of beating. Good hunting y'all.
PS: No spiders here...wonder why!

HAHA funny post. The white vinegar does not stain, so that's the way to go. Report back!

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Ok, listen up catrick (originator of this thread), mm34b, silverwing, ncisgreat, Desdemona123 and all else who are locked in combat with the infamous perennial pest, the common fly! I tried both the vinegar/water spray and then the unadulterated vinegar only spray and found that, while both work, the latter is more lethal. They came, they smelled, they took off. The Wife donated an empty spray bottle for this purpose and now I have a quart ready at all times. With firmness, patience and steadfastness we humans do prevail.

[ncisgreat]

Hooray!! AWESOME!!

[Catrick]

Originally Posted by Mikey_NC

Ok, listen up catrick (originator of this thread), mm34b, silverwing, ncisgreat, Desdemona123 and all else who are locked in combat with the infamous perennial pest, the common fly! I tried both the vinegar/water spray and then the unadulterated vinegar only spray and found that, while both work, the latter is more lethal. They came, they smelled, they took off. The Wife donated an empty spray bottle for this purpose and now I have a quart ready at all times. With firmness, patience and steadfastness we humans do prevail.

Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Got the last few today with my tattered and torn swatter. Couldn't try the vinegar since I did not have an empty spray bottle. But I will get one soon and stock up. Also seriously thinking about buying stock in companies that make vinegar. Heard about the asian beetles before. Wow. Is it spring yet? What wonderful critters will wander on my property? I can't wait.

Keep using that vinegar guys!!!!! I want to retire on my stock.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Catrick

Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Got the last few today with my tattered and torn swatter. Couldn't try the vinegar since I did not have an empty spray bottle. But I will get one soon and stock up. Also seriously thinking about buying stock in companies that make vinegar. Heard about the asian beetles before. Wow. Is it spring yet? What wonderful critters will wander on my property? I can't wait.

Keep using that vinegar guys!!!!! I want to retire on my stock.

Catrick:
There was one, lonely, near comatose fly on my front deck this morning and I quickly sent him to a place beneath the deck where the Froggie family lives. It will be near 30 tonight so this is probably their last hoorah! This was a most enjoyable post and I predict that your creativity will come up with many more. Now it is time for me to get back on the anti fire ant track as they are probably the most disruptive of all pests. I told my Wife about your buying vinegar stock idea and she didn't bat an eyelash. What is it with you women and vinegar?......mikey

[Catrick]

Mikey,

I've seen a few lone flies lingering around. Must be from out of state. Tonight's going to be in the 20's. Yeah for dead flies. Boo for heating costs.

Well, I have survived the wasps of summer, the flies of early winter. A few stray millipedes. The ever present spiders. I can't wait to see what comes next. But I will make it through. I lived in South Florida and they have very interesting creatures there. I will take the flies over the dive-bombing palmetto bugs any time.

I read that North Carolina is due for the ever popular cikadas (sp?) some time in the near future.(mm, any help here on when?) I am looking forward to that as my sister in Chicago regaled me with wonderful stories about them this past summer. We will be wishing for flies then. I wonder if vinegar works on them????

By the way, vinegar is a very useful tool around the house. Cleans, gets rid of odors, makes a great volcano when mixed with the other household staple-Baking Soda. That's what keeps my drains running smoothly. Now, insect killer. Gotta love the stuff.

Buy vinegar. Make stock go up.

[silverwing]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Lady Bugs do not swarm....if you have a large grouping of what look like Lady Bugs, chances are they are Asian Lady Beetles. Not the same thing at all..and these bite.

Googled. Yup, that's what they are and this is what they look like swarming the house



I've never been bitten, even when I wake up pin-wheeling my hands to get them off my face

I read that they are an introduced species, meant as a biological control measure against other insects. Problem is they've invaded the vintner industry, clustering on grapes (only eating damaged ones) and ending up in the vats in such quantities that they've changed the flavor of the wines. Bordeaux de Coléoptère de Dame anyone?

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Catrick

Mikey,

I've seen a few lone flies lingering around. Must be from out of state. Tonight's going to be in the 20's. Yeah for dead flies. Boo for heating costs.

Well, I have survived the wasps of summer, the flies of early winter. A few stray millipedes. The ever present spiders. I can't wait to see what comes next. But I will make it through. I lived in South Florida and they have very interesting creatures there. I will take the flies over the dive-bombing palmetto bugs any time.

I read that North Carolina is due for the ever popular cikadas (sp?) some time in the near future.(mm, any help here on when?) I am looking forward to that as my sister in Chicago regaled me with wonderful stories about them this past summer. We will be wishing for flies then. I wonder if vinegar works on them????

By the way, vinegar is a very useful tool around the house. Cleans, gets rid of odors, makes a great volcano when mixed with the other household staple-Baking Soda. That's what keeps my drains running smoothly. Now, insect killer. Gotta love the stuff.

Buy vinegar. Make stock go up.

Catrick:
Whatever cikadas are...stay away! We did have a bunch of teeny tiny mites running around but simple insect spray got rid of them. Our lone gekko (who has a lifetime lease under our rear deck) loves em and eats them as fast as he can grab them with his tongue. Haven't had a spider get in (yet) because I am a fanatic about sealing any and all cracks and holes where even the smallest can enter but I am sure one will find a way soon enough. Yup, like you, my Wife believes that vinegar is the "be all end all" of miracle fluids. Buy stock? Why not....but we won't buy Heinz (petty political reason).

...and silverwing: That photo of the lady bugs or lady beetles (whichever) is pretty graphic. Yukkk. Hope I don't get to experience them in my lifetime....but...maybe vinegar will kill em all off

[Catrick]

Thanks Silverwing. Now I know what I am looking for.

Mikey, no flies today! Figures. I finally got a spray bottle and loaded it up with vinegar. Well, I am sure it will come in handy.

No mites here. Sure you don't want my spiders?