What do others use to deter insects? SWMBO is paranoid about flies and I am about mosquitoes.
We have been using something called Coopermatic - an electronic insecticide but are sure it is dangerous to use long term. We have also been using those plug in things you get in the supermarkets but it CANNOT be good either.

Are those electric wall mounted zappers they use in food shops any good?

All ideas welcomed.
Many thanks

never had a problem with them ´cause we had mosquito screens on all windows, worked well for us

I agree with the above poster - mosquito screens are a must. We also have two exterior doors and have fitted them with beaded curtains - we find that they keep 99.9% of flies out.

I wouldn't be keen on having chemicals leaching into the atmosphere either - not good for the flies and to a lesser extent they can't be good for you either

We have three "zappers" that we position around the house and this seems to do the job. I also spray the lounge before we go to bed just to kill off anything that might be lurking. We used to use plug in's but found they arent neede since we used the zappers The ones we have are about 8 inches high by 13 inches wide with two bars

We don´t have mossie blinds and don´t have any real problem. We just use the plug ins and have a electronic swatter which is brilliant www.swatthefly.co.uk it is only 7.45 GBP and they deliver overseas. Much better than the ones you can buy in the shops.

Fly swatter looks fun!!
We are only renting for the time being so cannot install screens. Unless anyone knows of demountable ones?
Thanks all - we are moving half a mile from a cattle farm next month so it can only get worse. ALL ideas will be needed I am sure

We’ve had a real problem with mosquitoes for the past few weeks (with 300 people needing hospital treatment), and use everything available, sprays, plug-ins, electronic gadgets etc, but then someone recommended little candle-like things from a Chinese shop.

We lit a few around the house and outside, and the mosquitoes disappeared. (The local council have also been spraying like mad).

we had sliding ones, they sat in the window runner...........lifted out for cleaning etc you can get them made to measue by most window suppliers and also ferrerterias do them too

The electronic swatters are brilliant fun, though obviously only for the bigger, visible stuff. We have mossie nets all round plus beaded door curtains; 3 thoughts on screens, 1. They aren´t 100% unless you have new, right-angled windows! 2. Kids, cats & time take their toll 3. they need cleaning otherwise you begin to lose your views! And yes I believe you can get dismountable, on plastic frames a bit like secondary double glazing.
Rarely use flyspray, though we´ve a plague of fruit flies at the moment, kitchen´s swarming, so I gave in shut the doors & gave a good cloudsworth before leaving this morning!
OH insists on using the plug-ins in the hour up to bedtime, which apparently stops him getting eaten to bits. I of course never have any major problems other than occasionally with midges

Our neighbours (Spanish) keep chickens which is why I'm sure there's loads around outside. Makes it a pain to try & eat lunch outside.

All summer long we hear the 'thwack' of their plastic fly swatters and you have to be careful going inside their house, as in the gloom it's hard to see all the sticky fly papers dangling from the ceiling completely encrusted with dead flies - not pleasant to walk into

They're all very well, but if you sit outside on the terrace of an evening or leave a door screen open, they soon find a way in, especially if you have the lights on and then you end up shutting the damn things indoors!!!!!

Jo xx

that's why the beaded curtains are so good - they seem to keep most of the bugs out even at night when the lights are on. We used to get loads of moths in the evening but not any more.

I've got it all!!! but altho we're relatively fly free in the house, the mozzies still get in and the occasional moth! Of course sitting outside is a different matter!!!! Its a hard life isnt it
LOL


Jo xxx

Yes - it is

Do you have any tips for keeping the flies away outside? (And wasps - a major nuisance when you're eating!)

Using that you have to check the potential of your electricity supply is up to the job!
PS you can get them over here too.