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Summer is nearly here, and along with the sunshine and heat it also brings with it droves of flies - some of the most annoying and harmful of insects. They lay eggs in food and spoil it as well as spreading disease. And don't forget they're annoying!
If you have a fly problem at home or even on a nature walk, here is what you do:
1. You'll need: plastic bags, water and a few coins (The money won't buy you a fly repellent, but will help you build one).
2. Fill the bag with water.
3. Place 4-6 coins in every bag.
4. Tie off the bag and hang it in an infested area.
Sounds like hocus pocus? Well, there is actually a fascinating scientific explanation for this method.
The millions of molecules in the water create a special prism effect, meaning they break the light in a very special way. When you add the coins, a cumulating effect of light being broken is randomly enhanced.
Flies have a very special way of seeing. Their eyes are made of thousands of identical lenses, meaning they see thousands of reflections of the same image.
For a fly, that simple bag of water looks like lots of disco balls reflecting light and movement in a way that causes them to be dizzy. Under such conditions, they end up being distracted all the time and feeling vulnerable to predators.
Flies serve as food for a number of other animals, and flies who feel vulnerable won't stick around, because it feels too dangerous.
Not only does this method work, it is also low-cost and harmless, unlike chemicals that can poison our food, air and water. It's ironic how sometimes the best solutions are also the simplest ones!
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