Are pesky flies ruining your outdoor gatherings? Imagine enjoying a peaceful meal on your patio, only to be constantly swatting away annoying flies. It’s a common summer frustration! But what if I told you there’s a surprisingly simple and effective way to keep those flies at bay using just items you likely already have at home? Get ready to discover a game-changing trick to keep flies away and reclaim your outdoor space.
The Story Behind the Penny Fly Repellent Trick
I have to share a recent discovery that completely changed my outdoor dining experience. It all started when a friend visited, and we decided to have dinner on the deck. Almost immediately, we were swarmed by flies – the uninvited guests of every summer meal. Just as I was about to give up and move indoors, my friend asked, “Don’t you know the fly trick?”
Intrigued, I asked, “What fly trick?”
She revealed the “pennies in the cup fly trick.” I had vaguely heard about using water-filled plastic bags with pennies indoors, but hadn’t considered bringing this idea outside. Following her simple instructions, I grabbed a few glasses, filled them with water, dropped in some pennies (about four or five), and placed them around our dining area.
The result? It was like magic! We watched as flies approached, seemed to notice the water with pennies, and then abruptly turned around and flew off. They simply wouldn’t land near us.
This simple yet brilliant hack was a revelation. Now, I’m excited to share this easy method with you, so you can enjoy your next outdoor party or meal completely fly-free!
Glasses of water with pennies keeping flies away during an outdoor meal
Alt: Enjoy a fly-free outdoor meal with a simple and effective fly repellent trick using glasses of water and pennies.
Two Easy & Effective Penny and Water Tricks to Repel Flies
There are actually two incredibly easy methods to keep flies away using pennies and water while you’re dining or relaxing outdoors. Both are surprisingly effective, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs and setup. Let’s explore both penny fly repellent tricks:
Method 1: Pennies In a Glass of Water – The Classic Approach
This first method is straightforward and requires minimal effort. It’s perfect if you have tables or surfaces where you can easily place glasses of water.
What You Need:
- Pennies (regular coins will work)
- Several Clear Glasses Filled with Water
How to Use This Fly Trick:
Simply fill several clear glasses completely with water. Then, drop a few pennies into the bottom of each glass. About 4-5 pennies per glass should be sufficient.
Dropping pennies into a glass of water to create a fly repellent
Alt: Step-by-step guide: dropping pennies into a clear glass of water to create a natural and simple fly repellent for outdoor use.
Next, strategically place these glasses of water around your outdoor table, picnic area, or even amongst your food platters. You’ll quickly observe a significant reduction in flies buzzing around your food and bothering you.
Glasses of water with pennies effectively repelling flies at an outdoor setting
Alt: Simple fly control method: glasses of water with pennies placed around an outdoor dining table to deter flies effectively.
Method 2: Bag of Water Trick – Portable Fly Repellent
The second method is similar but uses a plastic bag instead of a glass. This is an excellent option for smaller picnic tables or situations where you prefer not to have open glasses of water that could potentially spill. The bag method is more portable and can be hung up, offering versatility in placement.
What You Need:
- Resealable Plastic Bag (sandwich or quart-sized)
- Water
- Pennies
- Mason Jar (optional, for easier water pouring)
How to Use The Bag Trick:
Start by placing your resealable plastic bag inside a mason jar. The jar acts as a helpful stand to keep the bag upright while you fill it with water, preventing spills and making the process easier.
Fill the bag approximately ¾ full with water.
Filling a plastic bag with water for a DIY fly repellent
Alt: Step-by-step instructions: filling a clear plastic bag with water as the first step in creating a hanging fly repellent.
Drop a few pennies into the water-filled bag.
Adding pennies to a water-filled bag for natural fly control
Alt: Adding common household pennies to a plastic bag filled with water to enhance the fly-repelling properties.
Close-up of pennies inside a water-filled plastic bag for fly deterrence
Alt: Detail of pennies submerged in water inside a clear plastic bag, illustrating the simple components of a fly deterrent.
Seal the bag tightly, ensuring it’s properly closed to prevent leaks. Gently spread the pennies out so they are distributed around the inside of the bag.
Hanging a bag of water with pennies to repel flies outdoors
Alt: A clear bag of water with pennies hung outdoors, demonstrating how to use this method as a fly repellent in outdoor spaces.
Finally, hang the bag or bags around your seating and dining area. You can hang them from trees, patio umbrellas, or any other convenient spot. While one bag can help, using about three bags is often recommended for optimal fly-repelling coverage.
A fly-free picnic table setup using water bags with pennies
Alt: Enjoying a fly-free meal outdoors thanks to strategically placed bags of water and pennies acting as a natural fly repellent.
My Experience – Does the Penny Trick Really Work?
The combination of glass (or bag) + water + pennies truly equals incredible fly-repelling capabilities. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but the results were undeniable. I would estimate that it reduced the fly presence by about 90%! At one point, we even noticed flies gathering on the deck railing, seemingly watching our food from a distance, unable to approach.
To illustrate the effect, imagine this:
A cartoon representation of flies observing food from a distance, deterred by the penny trick
Alt: Humorous cartoon depicting flies observing food from afar, unable to approach due to the effective penny and water fly repellent.
Since that first discovery, we’ve used the “fly trick” for every outdoor meal. We’ve found that the more glasses or bags of water with pennies you use, the better the fly repellent effect. Even my kids are fascinated by this simple science, understanding not to drink the “penny water.”
A child enjoying a meal at a picnic table, undisturbed by flies thanks to the penny trick
Alt: A child happily eating outdoors at a picnic table, showcasing a peaceful, fly-free dining experience using the penny and water method.
The theory behind this trick is quite interesting. It’s suggested that flies perceive the pennies in the water as the compound eyes of a much larger insect, which they instinctively avoid. To us, the glasses and bags just look like pretty, coppery decorations shimmering in the sunlight. “They’re so pretty!” my kids often remark, adding a touch of charm to this practical fly solution.
How The Penny Trick Works: The Science Behind It
While it might seem like a simple folk remedy, there’s a plausible explanation for why the penny trick works to repel flies. The most common theory revolves around fly vision and perception. Flies have compound eyes, which are highly sensitive to light and movement.
It’s believed that the reflection of light off the water and the pennies creates a confusing and unsettling visual environment for flies. The moving reflections might be interpreted by flies as a large, moving body of water, or, as mentioned earlier, the multifaceted eyes of a predator. This distorted and potentially threatening visual signal disorients and deters them from approaching the area.
Another theory suggests that the iridescence of the pennies themselves might play a role. Pennies, especially older ones, can have a shimmering, rainbow-like sheen that could be particularly disturbing to flies’ sensitive vision.
While the exact scientific mechanism might still be debated, the anecdotal evidence and widespread use of this trick suggest that it’s a surprisingly effective and natural way to keep flies away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Flies Away
Here are some common questions people ask about managing annoying flies. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!
What plants naturally keep flies away?
Yes, nature offers us several fragrant plants that act as natural fly repellents! Incorporating these into your garden or patio area can add beauty and help deter flies. Some of the most effective plants and herbs that flies dislike include:
- Sweet Basil: A versatile herb that’s great for cooking and fly repelling.
- Lavender: Known for its calming scent for humans, but flies find it offensive.
- Rosemary: Another culinary herb that flies tend to avoid.
- Mint: Peppermint and other mint varieties are effective fly deterrents.
- Wormwood: A more potent herb, use with caution and research, but known for insect-repelling qualities.
Placing potted versions of these plants near your outdoor dining area can add an extra layer of natural fly protection.
Do older pennies work better for the fly trick?
It has been mentioned anecdotally that older, possibly tarnished pennies, might be more effective. The reasoning is that older pennies might have a different reflective quality or color that is more disturbing to flies. However, there’s no definitive scientific evidence to confirm this. If you find the trick isn’t working as well as you hoped, it’s worth trying with older pennies to see if it makes a difference.
How do old CDs help in repelling flies?
Similar to the penny and water trick, old CDs can also be used to deter flies. The principle is based on light reflection. The reflective surface of CDs, when hung with the shiny side facing outwards, bounces sunlight in various directions. Flies are known to dislike bright, flashing, and scattered light.
Hanging old CDs around your outdoor area so they can catch and reflect sunlight can create a visually disruptive environment that flies will avoid. This is another simple and eco-friendly way to repurpose items and keep flies away.
CDs hanging outdoors, reflecting sunlight to deter flies
Alt: Repurposed CDs hung outdoors, reflecting sunlight, used as a creative and reflective fly repellent method for patios and gardens.
What to do if the penny trick isn’t fully effective?
While the penny trick is effective for many, particularly in reducing fly presence, it might not eliminate all flies, especially in areas with a very high fly population or lots of food sources. If you need extra fly protection, here are a couple more toxin-free solutions:
- Food Tents: Using food tents to cover dishes is a highly effective physical barrier. These mesh tents allow food to breathe while preventing flies from landing on it. They are ideal for picnics, cookouts, and any outdoor dining where food is left out.
Food tents covering dishes at an outdoor picnic, preventing flies from reaching the food
Alt: Protective food tents covering plates of food at an outdoor picnic, illustrating a physical barrier method to keep flies away from food.
- Battery-Operated Fly Repelling Fans: These fans are designed with soft, reflective blades that spin continuously. The movement and reflection deter flies from approaching. They are safe, portable, and effective for keeping flies away from a concentrated area, like a dining table.
Battery-operated fly repelling fans on an outdoor table, creating a fly-free zone
Alt: Battery-operated fly repellent fans placed on an outdoor table, demonstrating a modern and effective fly control solution for outdoor dining.
Explore More Natural Bug Repellents
If you’re interested in more natural ways to keep bugs away, be sure to check out resources on using essential oils to repel a variety of pests, from mosquitoes to ticks. Nature provides many solutions to keep your outdoor spaces comfortable and pest-free.
So, next time you’re planning an outdoor meal or gathering, remember the simple penny trick! You might be surprised at how effectively these common household items can help you enjoy a fly-free environment.
Have you tried this trick before? Give it a go and let me know if it works for you too!
Glasses of water with pennies, a simple solution for keeping flies away at picnics
Alt: Simple and effective fly repellent: glasses filled with water and pennies, ready to be deployed at your next outdoor picnic or gathering.
Recommended Tools for Fly Control
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