Pest control
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use wet paper towels to squish bugs on ceilings to ensure a direct hit and prevent the bug from escaping or dropping.
Wetting ensures there is no miss and prevents the bug from dropping to the floor.
- Any kind of wetness on plaster or painted ceilings can make a permanent spot.
one person who lived it
Zap flying insects with an electric mosquito swatter.
It creates a satisfying spark and burnt hair scent without needing fast or hard swings.
- It does not work well when the bug is in a corner.
4 people, independently
Use vinegar and water at ant entry points to disrupt scent trails and trace them to the nest.
Ants follow scent trails, so this limits their path.
- It is not foolproof, but it helps.
one person who lived it
Move a flashlight super close to the fly while shining it on it before smacking.
It blinds the fly, making it easy to pick up or hit.
one person who lived it
- Wait for a fly to land, then give it a hard flick with your finger to stun it before slapping or stepping on it.2
- Follow a fly around for a few minutes to tire it out, making it easier to hit in mid-air.1
- Blow hard on a fly to make it brace itself against the surface, then strike it.1
Wet flies with water so they seek heat sources and become more susceptible to electrocution by fly zappers.
Wet flies seek heat or sunlight and electrocute far more easily when in that state.
one person who lived it
Create a trap using apple cider vinegar, pineapple chunks, or banana slices with a drop of dish soap to break surface tension so fruit flies drown.
The attractant draws them in and the soap prevents them from staying afloat.
2 people, independently
Spray hairspray on a fly's wings to stiffen them, which may cause it to fall or get stuck.
Hairspray can stiffen wings or fix them in place mid-flight.
3 people, independently
Shoot flies with rubber bands for sport.
It adds a sporting factor.
2 people, independently
Allow house spiders to remain in your home to provide natural pest control.
They catch small bugs, including flies and mosquitoes.
2 people, independently
4 more on this
Spray a mixture of soap, water, and peppermint oil to repel spiders and knock wasps out of the air.
Spiders hate the scent and avoid treated areas; the spray physically impacts wasps.
one person who lived it
Place mint plants in your room to repel flies.
Flies hate mint.
one person who lived it
Use 70% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle as an alternative to soapy water.
It has low surface tension, gets into insect lungs to drown them, and evaporates faster.
one person who lived it
Shoot mosquitoes at a distance with Windex or other window cleaners to incapacitate them before they realize they are attacked.
The animal doesn't realize it's being attacked until it's already incapacitated.
- Windex can stain matte white walls blue.
one person who lived it