How to kill normal flies without killing hover flies?

TheGreenMan · July 2021

I used slug pellets a couple of years back and I was riddled with “normal” flies for weeks.

Not sure if the pellets or the dead slugs and snails attracted the flies but I’ve not used them since.

TheRainyGarden · July 2021

B3 said:

I find stamped snails attract flies until something else eats them. Not long here.

Thanks, maybe that's why! I leave dead snail and slug in the ground. I should start clearing them out then..

TheRainyGarden · July 2021

Thanks all. The first few comments are so funny. I'm not sure what's attracting them other than the dead snails probably. They usually just sit on top of the flowers which are very clean I promise. I should probably give the garden a clean up then

TheRainyGarden · July 2021

Chris-P-Bacon said:

Is your garden 'wet' or do you have a pond or two? Flies are attracted to gardens with damp soil or water (especially still or stagmant and especially in hot weather).
Encourage birds - if you're fortunate you'll attract Swallows or Swifts which take insects "on the wing" or equally as good, frogs.
I love astillbes - so do Flies!.. it's the price I pay.

I don't have a pond and for some reason no bird come to my feeders exception the pigeons from next door.... although i do have heavy clay soil so maybe that's why. I love frogs and was thinking of buying some as last resort

Fire · July 2021

Sunflower seeds in the feeders, and a pond, might well help on various levels. Wild up your garden a bit and you won't notice the flies.

Dovefromabove · July 2021

Create a pond and the frogs will arrive. 🐸

delski · July 2021

Dovefromabove said:

Create a pond and the frogs will arrive. 🐸

As will the mosquitoes. Do frogs eat mosquitoes or their larvae?

Fire · July 2021

delski said:

Dovefromabove said:

Create a pond and the frogs will arrive. 🐸

Do frogs eat mosquitoes or their larvae?

not particularly - or in great quantity

How to kill normal flies without killing hover flies?

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