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up vote 4 down vote favorite

I regularly have flies walking around on my screen. I was wondering about a program to shy them away? Like a virtual fly flap or something?

I tried shaking windows below it, but it didn't care :(

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8  
Maybe you should figure out why there are flies around it – Sathya♦ Sep 13 '10 at 13:26
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+1 awesome question :-) – Sirex Sep 13 '10 at 14:09
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+1 This is a great question. This happens to me from time to time, and it's all the more annoying that I'm working with a multitouch screen that starts to scroll when the fly walks on the screen, or resize when two flies do a mating dance. If I could, I would vote to reopen. – Pekka 웃 Sep 13 '10 at 14:51
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How is it not a real question? It's definitely not rethorical. – Johannes Schaub - litb Sep 13 '10 at 15:04
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@Pekka: The touch-sensor is so sensitive that flies can make it scroll? And I thought cats running across keyboards was bad... Maybe if the sensor also tried to detect heat, then it would probably not be fooled (assuming flies aren't as warm as human fingers). – FrustratedWithFormsDesigner Sep 13 '10 at 15:52
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closed as not a real question by William Hilsum, JNK, Sathya♦, Diago Sep 13 '10 at 14:19

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

4 Answers

up vote 6 down vote
  • keep your monitor clean
  • keep an extra light source ON near or further from the computer (i.e. desk lamp) - they go for the light and heat
  • and if that doesn't work, close the window (the regular one)

No wallpaper changing or anything like that helps ... they're not "looking" at the screen.

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A secondary light source was what I was going to suggest. Many bugs are attracted to light sources, if your screen is the only one in a dark room it'll be a magnet for them. – DMA57361♦ Sep 13 '10 at 13:33
I was thinking of some light impulse or something that would irritate the fly. Are they really not looking down? What if we flash the entire screen for a very short period that even the human won't notice. Does it not reflect on the flies' wings and somehow get it mad? – Johannes Schaub - litb Sep 13 '10 at 13:43
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They don't look "down". Flies typically look "out" in all directions - this is how the see threats coming and get out the way so quickly (ie, how they dodgy so quickly if you try to swot them with your hands). Try blowing on them instead, this may encourage them to fly away - but isn't really a long term solution. For that you really need to get rid of the source of the bugs. – DMA57361♦ Sep 13 '10 at 13:49
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@DMA57361 - They do however perceive slow movement very badly. If you wish to catch it/hit it, moving very slowly towards them works. – Rook Sep 13 '10 at 14:00
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@litb - similar situation here. No, it will stay in the room even if there is no light source, because the room is usually warmer then the outside. Well, at least that's how they behave in my part of the world. – Rook Sep 13 '10 at 14:02
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up vote 2 down vote

That would probably only work if the flies are looking "down" at the screen below their feet. Are you able to get a small fan and point it at the screen? That will probably work, but they'll just find somewhere else to land.

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Why the downvotes? I really find a strong air current will keep them away. – FrustratedWithFormsDesigner Sep 13 '10 at 13:45
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Yeah I agree with FrustratedWithFormsDes. + 1 from My side – subanki Sep 13 '10 at 14:00
up vote 1 down vote

sounds like you need an organic fly catcher

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Hey, maybe I need to switch from debian to Suse linux? HAHAHA – Johannes Schaub - litb Sep 13 '10 at 14:13
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I'm torn between +1 for comedy value and -1 for being a tiny bit unrealistic. So ±0 from me. :) – DMA57361♦ Sep 13 '10 at 14:15
+1, He's got the idea, but instead I'd recommend a pitcher plant perhaps. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_plant – FrustratedWithFormsDesigner Sep 13 '10 at 14:18
up vote 0 down vote

  • Try Cleaning your monitor and keep your Environment clean

  • Get a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to keep the room Fresh

  • You could get a bug zapper

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Downvote for silly old wives' tale about bags of water. That's a myth. – Shinrai Sep 13 '10 at 14:22
Yeah my mom also said its myth :P – subanki Sep 13 '10 at 14:27
Peer-reviewed research says it's a myth. :P – Shinrai Sep 21 '10 at 15:42

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