Installing a new roof lantern can provide your room with a beautiful, cost-effective lighting solution that is sure to impress your family and friends. But your new roof lantern could also attract the attention of a particular type of unwanted guest – flies.
Unfortunately, flies are an inevitable problem in most homes – particularly in the summer months – but understanding the reasons why flies can congregate in your roof light will help you prevent this common issue.
There is a common misconception that flies actively seek out people’s homes for shelter or food, and furthermore, gather around windows in an attempt to escape to the outside world. However, flies do not possess the intellectual capacity to understand the concept of inside or outside, and are instead likely to enter your home because they are attracted to the smell of food, or simply ride in on air currents caused by opening and closing doors.
Why Are There Flies in My Skylight?
Once they have entered your home you may notice that your windows, skylight, or roof lantern seem to attract flies. There are two main reasons your roof lantern or window can attract flies:
Warmth
Flies tend to enjoy warm weather, being most active around when temperatures are between 29 to 35 degrees celsius – although this can be as little as 15 degrees. Windows and windowsills are often a great space for flies to keep warm as the sun enters your home.
Brightness
Flies do not see objects and their surroundings in the same way as humans. A fly’s compound eyes detect lights and edges more accurately than our own, meaning that any flies in your window are likely congregating because of the sun’s light.
How to Stop Flies in Roof Lanterns
If you have roof lantern fly problems, there are a number of easy solutions to save your windows from unwanted guests. The most common methods are as follows:
- Bug Zappers: Light traps and bug zappers are one of the most effective methods to prevent flies in your roof lantern. Much in the same way that flies are attracted to the sun’s UV rays, light traps emit UV rays that attract insects, causing them to become trapped and electrocuted when they get too close – this also makes disposing of dead flies easier.
- Fly Paper: Fly paper is also a great method of preventing unwanted flies. They feature bright yellow colours and a sweet smelling coating that attracts flies. The coating also acts as a glue, which traps and poisons the flies.
- Fly Spray: Fly spray features a similar toxin to that contained in fly paper, but does not require you to wait for flies to become trapped, as you can simply spray in the general direction of the offending insects to kill them fairly quickly.
- Fly Swatter: Fly swatters are the obvious choice, a quick whip-crack from a plastic fly swatter is enough to kill any fly in a split-second.
- Hang Nets: Installing a hang net or screen in front of your window will discourage flies from congregating.
- Clean: Keeping your house clean will mean there is less reason for a fly to enter. For instance, flies often find their way into people’s homes because of the smell of food scraps, or pet waste.
What Roof Lanterns do We Sell?
We sell a range of roof lanterns, including:
We also stock an impressive range of rooflights and skylights, including:
More helpful blogs
- Rooflights vs Roof Lanterns
- What Is a Roof Lantern?
- Why Is Roof Ventilation Important?
- Roof Lantern Buyer’s Guide
- Rooflight Sizes: A Complete Guide
- Are Rooflights Energy Efficient?
- How Much Does a Roof Lantern Cost?
FAQs
Why is my conservatory always full of flies?
No one wants a conservatory full of flies. If you’re having this issue, there are several potential reasons why this might be happening:
- Open doors and window that flies can pass through.
- Poorly sealed gaps and cracks
- Food sources, for instance, uncovered food and drinks.
- Plants and flowers, as flies may be attracted to their nectar and fragrances.
- Moisture and humidity, as flies thrive in moist environments.
- Stagnant water, like that found in plant sources or containers – this can become a breeding ground for flies.
- Decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves or dead insects.
How do you get rid of a fly infestation?
Getting rid of a fly infestation requires a systematic approach to eliminate both adult flies and their breeding sites. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you tackle the problem:
- Identify the source or primary breeding ground of the flies.
- Clean and declutter the whole space.
- Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, and holes and seal any potential entry points.
- Use fly traps and fly paper in areas where you see flies.
- Use natural repellents like eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint.
- Manually remove flies with swatters and zappers.
- Remove breeding sites and stagnant water, and ensure proper draining throughout your space.
- Use fly baits.
- Call in professional pest control if necessary.
- Take preventative measures, like regular cleaning and checking for breeding sites.
Does citronella deter flies?
Citronella is known for its ability to repel mosquitoes, but it is not as effective in deterring flies.
