I Believe I Can't Fly

May 15, 2023 2:13 PM

I live in a (rented) first floor apartment in Brooklyn overlooking a small depressed courtyard/alley. There are flies outside which desperately want to be inside. My bug screen isn't cutting it, and I need airflow. How can I stop them from getting into my apartment, where I live?

I've seen them crawl around the bug screen, no matter how flush I try to make it. I tried taping around the edges, but that's not cutting it. There's mold in my apartment that the landlord refuses to deal with and no ventilation, so I really need to have the windows open to get air moving or I start feeling bad. Having flies in my apartment also makes me feel bad. It's not like my apartment is a pigsty; I think they are drawn in by my cat's litterbox, but once inside they very much want to get out again. I'm sure they also don't want to die, and I don't like having to kill them personally. How can I better ward my home to our mutual benefit?

posted by cosmic owl to Home & Garden (14 answers total)

Can you share a picture of your window? That might help determine options.
posted by Silvery Fish at 2:14 PM on May 15, 2023

I have used these trap with positive results
posted by brookeb at 2:18 PM on May 15, 2023

Response by poster: The accursed window (and ledge).
posted by cosmic owl at 2:22 PM on May 15, 2023

I'm trying to get a sense of what's going on, but are these like big-ass houseflies, tiny gnats, or something in between? That kind of determines next steps.
posted by blerghamot at 2:29 PM on May 15, 2023

Citronella candles.
posted by mochapickle at 2:30 PM on May 15, 2023

Response by poster: They're big ass house flies, although sometimes baby ones that are smaller.

Also, if possible, I really favor solutions that stop them from getting in. It's Brooklyn. Anything that attracts flies and which then involves disposing of many dead flies could very quickly turn into an equally unpleasant time.
posted by cosmic owl at 2:30 PM on May 15, 2023

Best answer: You could buy a second screen, like this, that attaches with velcro to your entire window frame, so you can remove it to open and shut the window.
posted by Mchelly at 2:38 PM on May 15, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: When you say you try to make your bug screen flush, are you talking about an adjustable screen like this? I've never had luck with getting those to fit perfectly, personally.

I think stepping up your tape/screen game should be able to stop all big flies. If you're willing to make a bit of an investment, a custom-fit window screen that fits your window perfectly might be the best option. If not, I was also thinking of the same self-adhesive style that Mchelly linked.
posted by mosst at 2:40 PM on May 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

There are different kinds of flies, so agree with above that you should try and id them before developing a solution. Unfortunately I have experience with some of the different types of fly infestations. One is called cluster flies and they get in through other ways - cracks in the mortar, any cracks, which you can't even see, not just screens like typical house flies. They are slightly larger than house flies, although some are smaller and fly a bit slower, ugh hate them, and I had to get an exterminator for those. He treated where he thought they were coming in, and I had to use a (wet/dry) vacuum to remove them from my house (which is gross but easy) until his treatment stopped them. Then there are those little ones that come from drains - sounds like your are bigger though. Honestly your landlord should help you solve this.
posted by j810c at 3:08 PM on May 15, 2023

I would duct tape all around the edges of the screen, myself, and let the landlord sort out the damage when I move out. Blame the previous tenant. Whatever. If the screen is duct taped to the frame, the flies can't get in. If you can't get up into the top, then use cardboard and more duct tape.
posted by mygothlaundry at 3:08 PM on May 15, 2023

Duct tape around the screen and a box fan facing out
posted by greta simone at 3:22 PM on May 15, 2023

Nthing the suggestion to double-up on the screen.

But also check places that AREN'T the window. My roommate and I were having a similar issue with flies recently and couldn't figure out where the hell they were all coming from - until we discovered that someone had left a side door into the building itself open, and the flies were coming into the building that way and squeezing through one of our apartment doors, and we wouldn't notice until they flew at the windows to try to get out and made us think the windows were how they got in. Then someone finally closed that side door and the problem stopped.

So check the other doors to the building itself and make sure they're all closed too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:39 PM on May 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

Here's how I would upgrade your screen game:

- get a screen like this, that someone mentioned above, that expands to fit the width of your window and can have the window close on the top of the screen. They come in various heights.
- Get a roll of window weatherstripping, and stick it along the short edges and top edge of the screen. When you widen out the screen to fit into your window frame, and then close the window on top of the screen, there will be no air gap for bugs to wrest their way through.

We use this setup in our condo and it works really well.
posted by pdb at 9:20 PM on May 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

Spray the screens with Permethrin. It's the insect repellent horse owners use on their horses, and hikers/hunters spray it on their clothes to repel ticks. Humans break it down quickly so it's not useful on your skin, but it'll last 4-6 weeks on the screens. I use it on the screens in my camper, and it makes a very noticeable difference.
posted by COD at 7:09 AM on May 16, 2023 [4 favorites]