[Michael Singmin]

Michael Singmin  asked the Naked Scientists:
   Greetings Chris and your Team,
 
Best wishes for 2009.
 
I have been listening to the Christmas 08 Show

On it was a question on swatting flies and why it is so difficult.
 
I have a solution.

I use a largish aquarium net. Dimensions 25x18cm mouth and 18cm deep. If I see a fly on a flattish surface, I hold the net pulling on the end point thereby forming a tent. I drop it over the fly and it flies up into the net. I secure the fly with a bit of the netting. The fly at this point cannot move. I have a plastic dropper and a flask of meths. 3 drops of meths and the fly is dead.
 
I have an atrium in my home. So I bury the dead fly in the soil.
Another one bites the dust.

This method works 97% of the time. Early in 2009, I caught 3 flies simultaneously with this method.
 
Be well,
 
Michael Singmin
Pretoria
What do you think?

[Make it Lady]

I just hold my cat up to where the fly is sat. She has much better reflexes than me and catches the fly every time. It is also less hassle than nets and meths and stuff. They do eat a lot of catfood though!

[Chemistry4me]

I just use my hands. Easy.

[Make it Lady]

BOG

[Madidus_Scientia]

If you want to catch a fly with your hands, take a swing at about 50mm above where it is sitting and try to catch it, that's usually where it'll be by the time your hand gets there. Works all the time for me, easy way to impress people with your ninja skills

[Make it Lady]

Now this I like! I think my cat must know this too.

[Chemistry4me]

BOG? []
I was being serious.

[Make it Lady]

Then I BOG you again.

[Chemistry4me]

What the smeg is BOG?

[Make it Lady]

The B stands for boring. If you are going to post on a science forum about catching flies you have to have a theory, a mathematical explanation or mention a cute animal. You can't say "I just use my hand." Make something up if you have to!!!

[Chemistry4me]

Of course, how ignorant of me.

[Make it Lady]

A BOG is also a wet marshy place.

[Chemistry4me]

You want to chuck me into one? []

[Make it Lady]

No, you are too cute, I'll save you as fly bate!

[Chemistry4me]

Alright mate!
I think I might go chuck meself into one anyway.

[Make it Lady]

C4M come back, I didn't mean it. *squelch* and now the Chemistry questions will be mine, all mine. Wah, hah,ha,hah,hah,har.

Do you think my part in the panto is going to my head.

On the subject of fly catching. Is there any way you can stop flies going into your mouth when you are cycling along.

[Madidus_Scientia]

Yeah wear a darth-vader style helmet

[Chemistry4me]

Close your mouth and breath through your nose! []