Help/advice needed - fly situation

[Jody79]

HI everyone.  One of our direct neighbors has a couple of dogs that they NEVER clean up after.  As a result we tend to get a lot of flies around our house in the heat of the summer.  We put up a privacy fence a few years ago so we didn't have to look at the piles of S*** every time we went out into our back yard.  It also significantly cut down on the smell, guess that barrier helps.  It has not helped the fly situation, however.  Here's the problem we have.  The entrance to the apartment we offer on ABB is on the side of the house towards the back, down a few steps into a little cove.  It is enclosed on 3-1/2 sides, with the only opening being the entrance down the steps.  This creates a semi-enclosed area that the flies tend to congregate in.  I'm not talking just a few flies, I'm talking A LOT of flies buzzing all around in the space.  For the most part they remain outdoors, as long as the doors are not left open.  It is extremely embarrassing.  I'm waiting for a review that mentions this. 😞

We keep that area swept out and clean.  We've tried putting up that sticky fly paper in the corner, however it only catches a few flies, doesn't do anything to solve the problem.  We tried hanging this 'Raid' bag that was supposed to attract and capture the flies inside the bag.  It does a great job, but unfortunately it does exactly what it says it does...attracts the flies!  Once we figured this out we quickly removed the bag away from the entrance and closer to our neighbor, hoping that it will lure them away from our house and that entrance.  The bag is quickly filling up, but we still have the flies congregating in the entrance area.  Does anyone have any advice for us on how we can discourage flies from congregating in that area?

[Emiel1]

@Jody79 

I think you have to give it some "scientific" approach. First try to (or consult a specialist) determine what exact species you are dealing with. Then find out what conditions makes this specific area so attractive to these insects. Maybe it is a combination of temperature, humidity, airflow, plants, or whatever. Then try to take away the condition they are attracted too. It could even be some "treatment " you did not think about (ultrasound, putting in specific plants, ventilator etc..).or maybe you have an option to close the area temporary with an insect screen  ?

But the best offcourse is take action to eliminate the source, which means complain at the neighbours.....but i understand this is a difficult way.

Best regards,

Emiel

[Mark116]

@Jody79   Those mosquito coils work well in my experience in keeping flies away also, but as far as a long term solution, I don't know.  They say that mint and marigolds are 'anti insect' so you could try putting a planter near the entrance.  They also have organic non pesticide sprays that you could try spraying the entrance before guests are arriving.  I assume your neighbors are a lost cause and won't clean their yard up.  Also, any standing water or moisture also attracts insects.  That's all I got, sorry.

[Jody79]

Thank you @Mark116!  Are the mosquito coils that electric zapper things?  We can definitely try that.  We have some mint in our flower garden in the front that quickly proliferates.  It would be quite easy to transplant some into a planter we could put near the entrance.  Marigolds are pretty and also easy to come by.  There is no standing water in the cove, but it can get pretty humid, so that probably doesn't help.  Not sure what we can do about that though.

[Mark116]

@Jody79   No, it's a coil of citronella, I think,  that you light and the smoke drives them away.

https://www.amazon.com/W4W-Mosquito-Repellent-Coils-Contains/dp/B07C7ZSC8G/ref=asc_df_B07C7ZSC8G/?ta...

[Jody79]

Thank you @Mark116 !  Are the mosquito coils that electric zapper things?  We can definitely try that.  We have some mint in our flower garden in the front that quickly proliferates.  It would be quite easy to transplant some into a planter we could put near the entrance.  Marigolds are pretty and also easy to come by.  There is no standing water in the cove, but it can get pretty humid, so that probably doesn't help.  Not sure what we can do about that though.

[Jody79]

Thank you for the advice @Emiel1!  Not sure how to determine the species, but maybe consulting a specialist would be the best course of action.  I really like the screening off the area idea, that may work.  We've been planning to get a handyman in to 'finish off' the area to make it look nicer and more inviting.  Perhaps we could see if there is a way he could also screen it in as well.  This would also help to prevent leaves, garbage, etc from blowing in as well.

[Kate867]

You could get some Red Top Fly Traps (those baited bag things) and politely ask your neighbour with the dogs if they would mind putting them up in their yard?  Most people don’t want to upset neighbours and will usually be willing to try and resolve an awkward situation.  These traps usually need to be put about five metres away from the nearest access to the house, ie door, windows etc

[Jody79]

@Kate867 We tried the baited bag traps and placed it near their yard, but unfortunately I think it made the situation even worse.  It definitely attracted the flies, but maggots actually developed in those bags!  And after seeing a maggot on top of the bag, we quickly got rid of them.  The last thing we wanted to do was produce even more flies!  UGH!!!

[Katrina79]

@Jody79 @My first thought would be to report it to the city/animal control bylaw officers. I would also spray down the area they are attracted to with an outdoor exterior cleaner. If that doesn’t work: have you heard of an insect fogger, maybe you can purchase one from a hardware/outdoor store. I don’t recommend killing any insects as I believe they are helpful in your yard. However massive amounts of flies is unbearable and certainly not a great first impression. You could fog your yard and I’m pretty sure it would eliminate most of the flies. Keep in mind you will have to make sure to keep people and pets inside until the required time after fogging. In northern Canada we have so many mosquitoes, spiders, horse flies it really does the trick at our cottage and the results last for weeks and noticeably throughout the whole summer season. We only fog if it’s a really bad year for mosquitoes. 

[Jody79]

@Katrina79 Given that the situation is in the back yard where only us and the neighbors on the other side can see, it would be pretty easy to figure out who reported them.  In the interest of keeping peace with our neighbors, we really don't want to go that route.  We did think about the fogger thing, but really try not to use insecticides if we don't have to.  We've put in an electric fan to provide air circulation and so far it seems to be working.  Thank you for your suggestions.

[Sarah977]

@Jody79  Fans are good a keeping flying insects away. Do you have an outside electrical outlet near that entrance?. If so, I'd try an electric stand-up fan, one that oscillates. 

[Jody79]

@Sarah977 We placed a fan in the area and it has greatly reduced the amount of flies in the space.  Such a simple fix, but so far is working, thank you for the idea!  We haven't had a really hot spell since doing this, that'll be the real test, but so far they are staying manageable.

[Helen427]

@Jody79 

Plant Rosemary that works a treat.

Flowers like Marigolds, mint, lavender, etc & others also work a treat.

It may also take the Guests mind away from the primary issue of the flies as they will be a distraction.

Perhaps also tactfully offer your neighbour's some of the same pot plants for there garden as they may like them to, dogs are good security guards remember so you never know when they may be handy despite there droppings & fly issues

All the best

[Jody79]

@Helen427 Marigolds and mint were suggested by another host.  I was looking around the area to see where I may be able to place them.  Unfortunately there really isn't a lot of room near the open entrance to place some pots without getting in the way.  The actual space where the flies tend to accumulate doesn't get any direct sunlight, so not sure that any live plants would survive for very long.