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If you were to visit us right now, you would see a couple doorways with water-filled plastic bags hung over them. You should now believe that flies are not likely to be inside.

Flies don’t go where the water bags hang right?

If you want to keep flies out of your home or business hang a plastic bag, half filled with water, over your doorway. The flies will mysteriously be turned away – right?

That’s what the buzz is all about and what we’re trying to prove one way or another.  Some would argue that the reason for this phenomenon may be more urban legend than science, but some will argue right back and swear it is effective, nonetheless.

Well if you read our recent article Best Flying Insect Repellent you’d know that Home And Garden Guide decided to test this theory out.

We have a project going on that requires the doors to be open and shut, entered and exited many times throughout the day so we couldn’t think of a better way to check out such an idea.

Further online research on this subject has given us quite a bit more knowledge and insight on this theory.

Seems that this practice is more well-known than I had first thought.  A few of our faithful readers commented as to NEVER hearing of it.

On the forum at Ask Meta Filter.com, posters from Pennsylvania to Chile to Spain responded to a query as to the science behind this method. It appears to be a global phenomenon.

Numerous folks I’ve talked to swear by this practice. I found that many people believe you should put either a couple pennies, up to four or other shinny metallic objects in the water!

Restaurant owners in the south from Florida to Texas are a part of some of the biggest support group for this practice.

So the big question – Why Do Plastic Bags Filled With Water Repel Flies?

How a plastic bag filled with water repels flies seems to come with a lot of speculation. One theory and from the mouthes of some locals claims the multiple eyes on flies causes them to see the bags as a confusion of light and darkness. Disorientation causes the fly confusion, so they fly off in the other direction.

Another popular theory is the bag, with its ability to cause visual distortions, is interpreted to the fly as a HUGE predator. The flies fear for their lives and leave the vicinity.  Side note:  I think they must see the visual distortion of likes of me with a fly-swatter in hand, you know…just in case!

One question we had in the previous post was whether or not this theory worked on other pests and from what I researched, the general belief is that a plastic bag filled with water does not repel any other type of bug. Bees, wasps and mosquitoes will still fly in. Creepy crawlies such as spiders and roaches are likewise not intimidated by hanging bags of water. It appears this simple home remedy is for flies only.

So you’re probably asking whether our test of this teory past or failed.

I must admit at first, it seemed to reduce the number of flies in the house.  Now notice I didn’t say completely eliminate.

Two identical days as far as weather, sun and light to no breeze.  The first day, without bags, I must have killed 20 flies after shutting up the house for the day.

Day two – bags hanging, I went around and killed 6 flies total.  This morning so far I’ve killed 2 flies upstairs and two downstairs and the doors have been closed.

Today I’m going to go around and try to eliminate all flies before opening up the house for most of the day.  By the way, the weather conditions are exact which should help with the consistency of our test.

So we’re off to test this theory for another day.  The big question on everyones mind is…

Whether Water Filled Baggies Really Repel Flies?

While we’re testing this out for you, here’s some funny MythBuster views we found being discussed about the theory over at Wiki Answers and we give them full credit for these wise and quick-witted remarks. I would gather by some of these thoughts that the author is some what skeptical – you be the judge:

It’s believed that a common house fly has a morbid fear of drowning and is somewhat clostraphobic so goes out of its way to avoid enclosed bodies of water.

Truth: This is a domestic legend– flies are not repelled by any type of water, regardless of whether it contains pennies. The best way to repel flies and bees is to get an orange wiffle bat out of the garage and swing away.

—————– RESULTS OF TESTS ————–
As I tested my hypothesis, I discovered that having more than one bag in a room cancels out the effect, unless the ionization is synchronized prior to deployment. This is accomplished using the following procedures.
1. Each bag should have an odd number of pennies, but more than one. (see note 6 for detail) The pennies are not for ballast, because the water has enough mass to keep the bag behaving as per Newton’s ‘local cluster’ theory of Gravity. Anything more than 5 pennies produces diminishing effects.
2. Pennies should be soaked in 2 parts Vinegar to 5 parts distilled water for 48 hours, then rubbed with salt for 2 minutes on the heads side, and 3 minutes on the tails side.
3. Pennies should be stacked and remain in contact with each other for another 24 hours, to synchronize electron frequencies.
4. Size of bag has no amplification effect; a sandwich bag is sufficient. 30 Gallon Garbage bags demonstrated no additional range or amplitude in effect.
5. IMPORTANT! The bag should be placed where it will be exposed to direct sunlight for no less than 1 hour, and no more than 4 hours. On rainy/cloudy days, hand-warming of bags will be sufficient to sustain 50% effectiveness.
6. The penny issue dates are inconsequential, but should be after 1958. 1934-1936 issued pennies work also. Pennies minted in different regions of the country and at different years will have solidified under different geomagnetic influences, which enhances the physiomolecular generation of an electromagnetic field. To avoid the cancelling out of ionic emission frequencies, an odd number of pennies is necessary.
In addition:
7. Because effectiveness is based on the reflective properties of the walls and furniture, a test group of flies in the room are necessary to determine optimal placement of bags. The placement of bags will create fly ‘kill zones’ of about .5 cubic meters. When placing additional bags, observation of the flies are critical in determining optimal placement. Auditory observation is sufficient; a fly will let out a audible ‘yelp’ when it enters a ‘kill zone’ before falling to the ground in mortal seizure.
8. Ensure the fly is dead prior to handling; if only stunned, the fly may become aggressive and dangerous when recovered.
9. On a periodic basis, relocate bags in room; flies may learn kill-zones over time and avoid.
10. Effect may ‘leak’ out of room into adjacent living areas. Ensure your neighbors are aware of your effort to avoid ‘flyslaughter’ litigation.
11. As always, use safety goggles and knee/elbow pads, and OSHA approved safety gear when conducting setup and maintenance.
12. Contact your local Community Services division to determine any City, County or State ordinance prohibiting/restricting construction, and obtain permit if necessary.
13. If a male develops EDS over a period of time, or if a male that suffers from EDS finds relief from the condition, notify medical professionals immediately. If a female develops EDS, discuss this development with parents.
Also,
Standing or sitting ‘in’ a fly kill-zone may cause discomfort over an extended period. Reposition yourself if you have any of the following symptoms:
Headache (esp. if daily or at lower back of head)
Painful tension in neck
Fatigue
Migraines
Dizziness
Visual disturbances / loss of vision / spots in vision / double vision / seeing spots or “halos” / nystagmus
Tingling / numbness in the extremeties
General imbalance / clumsiness
Memory loss
Restricted movement
Intolerance to bright light / difficulty adjusting to light change
Vertigo from position change or sudden standing
Difficulty walking on uneven ground / feeling ground under feet
Poor / degraded motor skills
Difficulty driving
Difficulty negotiating steps
Pressure / pain in the neck
Pressure / pain behind the eyes (soreness in the eyeballs)
Back pain
Neck spasms
Insomnia
Ringing in ears (like the tone heard in a hearing test)
Swaying
Pain when changing position
Tingling / crawling feeling on scalp
Intolerance to loud / confusing sounds
Decreased sensation to touch in extremeties
Decreased sensitivity to temperature
Pain & tension along ear / eye / jawline
Difficulty swallowing / lump in throat / sore throat / swollen lymph nodes
Drooling
Spontaneous vertigo
Hand tremors
Poor blood circulation / cold hands & feet
Sinus / mucous problems
Sleep apnea
Decreased muscle tone
Pressure in ears / ears feel stopped up
Nausea
Difficulty reading / focusing on text
Depth perception problems
Burning sensation in extremeties / shoulder blades
Menstrual problems / severe cramping during period
Fluid-like sound in ears (like water running)
Loss of sexual interest / lack of sensation in pelvic area
Pulling sensation while sitting / standing
Intense itchiness w/profuse sweating
Slurred speech
Gag reflex problems / lack of gag reflex
Pressure / tightness in chest
Loss of bladder control
Frequent urination
Dehydration / excessive thirst
Electric like burning sensations
Unequal pupil size
Loss of taste
Popping / cracking sounds in neck or upper back when stretching
Dizziness
Loss of smell / problems with sense of smell
Dry skin and lips
Sudden / abrupt changes in blood pressure due to awkward position of head
Hiccups associated with drinking carbonated beverages
Skin problems
Also: Migraines, oscillopsia, lump in throat, colour blindness, albinism, visual floaters, astymosism, thinning hair, hear heartbeat in ears, throat closes when lying flat, vomit in sleep, swollen face, low body temperature, low blood pressure, legs feel heavy, “strangling” feeling, “floating” sensation, thickening of finger joints.
If you have ALL of the above symptoms, please submit a video of yourself to Youtube.

Source: WikiAnswers

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