Dealing with pesky flies while trying to enjoy your outdoor space can be incredibly annoying. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, having a picnic, or simply relaxing on your patio, flies can quickly become a nuisance, buzzing around your food and drinks, and generally making your outdoor time less enjoyable. Fortunately, you don’t need harsh chemicals or expensive gadgets to solve this problem. There are surprisingly simple and effective methods to keep flies away outdoors, using items you likely already have at home. One such method, which might sound unusual, involves just pennies and water! Keep reading to discover this easy hack and other strategies to reclaim your outdoor peace from flies.
Outdoor dining area free of flies thanks to penny trick
The Curious Case of the Penny Fly Repellent Trick
Imagine this: you’re enjoying a delightful outdoor dinner with friends when suddenly, flies decide to crash the party. Annoying, right? This exact scenario led to the discovery of a remarkably simple yet effective fly repellent method. As the story goes, during one such fly-infested outdoor meal, a clever friend introduced a surprising solution: pennies in water. Intrigued and skeptical, the method was put to the test. Glasses filled with water and a few pennies were placed around the dining area. The result? A noticeable decrease in flies. Flies would approach, seem to notice the water with pennies, and then quickly fly away. This anecdotal experience sparked curiosity and led to sharing this intriguing “penny trick” as a natural and readily available way to deter flies outdoors.
Close-up of a glass of water with copper pennies at the bottom used to repel flies
Two Easy Methods Using Pennies and Water to Repel Flies
The beauty of the penny fly repellent trick lies in its simplicity. There are two main ways to utilize this method, both incredibly easy to implement using just pennies and water. Choose the method that best suits your outdoor setting and preferences.
Method 1: The Penny Glass Water Repellent
This method is as straightforward as it gets. It involves simply placing glasses of water with pennies strategically around your outdoor space.
What You Will Need:
- Pennies (a handful)
- Clear Glasses filled with water
How to Implement the Glass Method:
- Fill several clear glasses with water. The size of the glass isn’t crucial, but larger glasses can hold more water and potentially be more visually prominent to flies.
- Drop a few pennies (4-5) into each glass, letting them settle at the bottom. Older, tarnished pennies are rumored to be even more effective.
- Position these glasses of penny-infused water around your outdoor dining table, picnic area, or any space where you want to deter flies. You can place them near food, on the edges of tables, or even on the ground nearby.
Hands dropping pennies into a clear glass of water as a natural fly repellent
Multiple glasses of water with pennies placed on an outdoor table to deter flies
Method 2: The Penny Water Bag Repellent
The water bag method offers a slight variation and can be particularly useful in situations where you prefer not to have open glasses of water, such as around children or on uneven surfaces.
What You Will Need:
- Resealable Plastic Bags (sandwich or quart size)
- Water
- Pennies
- Mason Jar (optional, for easier filling)
How to Implement the Bag Method:
- Place a resealable plastic bag inside a mason jar or similar container to hold it upright and make filling easier.
- Fill the bag approximately ¾ full with water.
- Drop a few pennies into the water-filled bag.
- Seal the bag tightly, ensuring no water can leak out.
- Gently spread the pennies around inside the bag so they are visible from different angles.
- Hang the bag(s) in the area you want to protect from flies. You can hang them from patio umbrellas, tree branches, hooks, or any suitable outdoor structure. Aim for placing them around the perimeter of your dining or seating area.
Filling a clear plastic bag with water to create a fly repellent
Dropping copper pennies into a plastic bag filled with water as a fly deterrent
Close up of pennies visible inside a sealed plastic bag filled with water, ready to repel flies
A clear plastic bag filled with water and pennies hanging outdoors to repel flies
Does the Penny Trick Really Work? Personal Experience
Personal experiences suggest that the penny and water trick can indeed be effective in reducing outdoor flies. One account describes a significant reduction in flies – estimated at around 90% – when using glasses of water with pennies. Flies were observed to approach, then veer away upon seeing the water and pennies. While scientific evidence might be lacking, anecdotal evidence and user testimonials point towards a noticeable fly-repelling effect. The more glasses or bags you use, the more effective the fly repellent seems to become. Children often find this trick fascinating, adding a bit of fun to the fly-fighting strategy.
An outdoor picnic table laden with food, protected from flies using natural methods
The Science (or Theory) Behind the Penny Trick
While the exact mechanism isn’t definitively proven by science, there are popular theories about why pennies in water might repel flies. One prominent theory suggests that the flies perceive the combination of water and pennies as large, compound eyes, similar to those of predators. This perceived threat could scare them away. The reflective properties of water and the metallic shimmer of pennies might contribute to this visual deterrent effect. Others speculate that the iridescent reflection created by the water and pennies disorients flies, making them avoid the area. Regardless of the precise scientific explanation, the anecdotal success of the penny trick makes it a worthwhile and inexpensive method to try.
Cartoon depiction of flies avoiding a picnic area protected by the penny trick
More Ways to Keep Flies Away Naturally
While the penny trick is a fun and simple method, it’s not the only way to deter flies outdoors. For comprehensive fly control, consider combining the penny trick with other natural fly repellent strategies:
Plants That Naturally Repel Flies
Certain plants possess natural insect-repelling properties, including flies. Strategically placing these plants around your outdoor area can create a fragrant and visually appealing fly barrier. Effective fly-repelling plants include:
- Sweet Basil: A versatile herb that repels flies and mosquitoes.
- Lavender: Known for its calming scent for humans, but disliked by flies and many other insects.
- Rosemary: Another fragrant herb that deters flies and other pests.
- Mint: Peppermint and other mint varieties are effective fly repellents.
- Wormwood: A less common but potent herb known for its insect-repelling properties.
Reflective Surfaces Like Old CDs
Similar to the penny trick’s theory of visual disorientation, reflective surfaces like old CDs can also deter flies. The idea is that sunlight reflecting off the CDs creates flashing, moving light patterns that flies find unpleasant and avoid. Hang old CDs with the reflective side facing outwards around your outdoor space to create a shimmering fly deterrent.
Food Tents for Outdoor Dining
For direct food protection, especially during outdoor meals, food tents are an excellent solution. These mesh covers create a physical barrier, preventing flies from landing on your food while still allowing air circulation. Food tents are practical and reusable, perfect for picnics, barbecues, and any outdoor dining occasion.
Fly-proof food tents covering dishes at an outdoor gathering
Battery-Operated Fly Repelling Fans
Battery-operated fly repelling fans are another effective and convenient option. These fans typically feature soft, rotating blades with reflective tips. The movement and reflection deter flies from approaching, creating a fly-free zone around your dining or seating area. They are portable, safe, and ideal for frequent outdoor use.
Battery operated fly repelling fans on an outdoor table setting
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Fly Control
Q: What plants keep flies away?
A: As listed above, effective fly-repelling plants include Sweet Basil, Lavender, Rosemary, Mint, and Wormwood. Placing these plants near your outdoor areas can help deter flies naturally.
Q: How does the penny trick work on flies?
A: The most common theory is that flies perceive the water and pennies as large, predator-like eyes, scaring them away. The reflective properties likely contribute to this effect.
Q: How do you use old CDs to keep flies away?
A: Hang old CDs with the reflective side facing out. Sunlight reflecting off the CDs creates flashing light that can disorient and repel flies.
Q: What if the penny trick doesn’t work?
A: If the penny trick alone isn’t sufficient, combine it with other methods like food tents, fly-repelling fans, and fly-repellent plants for enhanced fly control. Ensure you are using enough glasses or bags of pennies for your space. Also, try using older, tarnished pennies, as some believe they are more effective.
Promotional image for fly repellent methods using household items
Reclaim Your Outdoor Space from Flies
Don’t let flies ruin your outdoor enjoyment. With simple, natural methods like the penny trick, fly-repelling plants, and other strategies, you can effectively keep flies away and create a more pleasant outdoor environment. Give the penny trick a try – you might be surprised at how well this easy home remedy works! Experiment with combining different methods for optimal fly control and enjoy your fly-free outdoor space.
