Anyone know good ways to kill houseflies indoors non-toxicly to bunnies?

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This topic has 10sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 9 months ago by Kokaneeandkahlua.

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- 05/12/2011 at 7:42 PM
  lashkay
  Participant
  1548 posts
  I have several flies hanging in lazy circles just outside their pens. I put out some fly tape near the window where they seem to be attracted to the blue sky, but it isn’t catching any, doesn’t seem to be very effective. I searched the forums for possible tips, but there only seem to be discussions on fly strike not on how to kill them safely. Does anyone know of a sure method to attract the flies perhaps with something with poison in it that I could leave out relatively away from the bunnies’ pens (I have a one-room studio apartment), that will be harmless to the bunnies? Has anyone used “Hot Shot” indoors? I’ve been hesitant to use it because as I understand it may give off vapors that, although attract and kill flying insects, would be dangerous if they’re carried around the bunny’s food. Anyone have any successful suggestions – I’d like to get on top of this - Thanks!
- 05/12/2011 at 11:11 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  If it’s just a few flies, I’d grab a good ‘ol fashioned fly swatter.
- 05/13/2011 at 5:17 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  Some farms stores sell fly trap thingies (sorry I don’t know what the exact name is). It’s like a lantern-looking thing that has bait inside and once the flies go in they can’t get out. You replace it when it’s full. I’ve never used them but I see them advertised in my horse magazines.
- 05/13/2011 at 7:54 AM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Are they big houseflies? Or little fruit flies? I’ve never had big houseflies (except maybe once in a while and I just whack them with a magazine). For fruit flies, we put out a small glass of cider vinegar, beer, or something else they would like. They flock to it and climb down the glass to get to it. Some drown in there, while others hang out on the side of the glass. We cover it with plastic wrap before they can escape, then shake and flush the liquid and flies.
- 05/13/2011 at 8:44 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  I like a fly swatter, too. The saying, “you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar” can be taken literally. Put out a dish of honey, then swat.
  
  I found this fly swatter years ago and it worked so well and is so cute that I never move without being sure I have it with me.
- 05/13/2011 at 12:32 PM
  Joyfull_music
  Participant
  506 posts
  The best thing you could probably do is to find their “source” and get rid of that. We had fly issues years ago. We lived with my husbands grandpa and hoarding was the problem. Once their nesting area is gone, they go away shortly there-after. Otherwise, be prepared for a lot of sticky tape and swatting. I hate putting any sort of chemicals around my pets.
- 05/13/2011 at 6:27 PM
  lashkay
  Participant
  1548 posts
  BB and RabbitPam, I’m with you, I always reach for a rolled up magazine to swat the varmints, trouble is, these won’t come out of the air. I think they’re mating in mid-air! (panic) Every two or three turns, they seem to collide their bodies with another one (groan)
  
  LittllePuffyTail, I want to get one of those lantern fly trap thingies in your horse magazine. Could you please post the info on the ad from one of your horse magazines – the phone number or web address? Thanks!
  
  Elrohwen, I have a friend who drowned gnats – is that what you mean by fruitflies? – in beer near her houseplants, she was overrun with gnats and the beer solved the problem for her as well. In any case, I’m going to try your suggestion (I hadn’t heard of cider vinegar trapping them, but that appeals to me more than beer as I don’t drink beer.) I’m glad you suggested this, thanks.
  
  Joyfull_Music, I agree to get rid of the source but I’m not sure HOW they got in, just that all of a sudden one day there were 6 or 7 flying in circles in the middle of the room, and 3 or so more by the kitchen sink. Mysterious. I won’t use chemicals, don’t worry unless it’s the kind my bunnies are safe from exposure from.
  
  Thanks everyone for your help! It’s good to know there’s stuff to do for this.
- 05/13/2011 at 9:33 PM
  Joyfull_music
  Participant
  506 posts
  It can be really hard to find the source. But hopefully you can get rid of the problem. Flies are no fun at all.
  
  Beer traps may work. I use those to keep slugs from decimating my veggie garden. They can be brutal here.
- 05/15/2011 at 7:05 PM
  lashkay
  Participant
  1548 posts
  Thanks, Joyful_music, I’ve currently strewn flytape in more than one place, as I think the beer traps or mostly good for fruitflies and I think these are larger. I think they most have got in while the front door was open, I can’t think of any other way. Thanks, it’s good to know beertraps work on vegetable garden slugs, as well.
- 05/16/2011 at 5:37 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  Here you go, they are cheaper than I thought too.
  
  http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock-fly…ap-2212108
- 05/17/2011 at 8:57 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  There’s those sticky fly tape things-they work great. And you can also pick up an electric fly swatter cheap now at most dollar stores. Great for wasps too=you don’t even have to hit them into something, just make contact and they go onto bug heaven
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