Why it's so hard to swat a fly

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080828/sc_nm/fly_dc;_ylt=At_Xbl3i.2zfKzxY_75xbFCs0NUE

by mattmaroon • 18 years ago

14 14 18 years ago

news.yahoo.com

It's because they can detect the tiny air pressure changes from nearby moving objects. The trick to swatting a fly is simply to swing hard and fast. If you half-ass it they sense the incoming palm/magazine/swatter while they have plenty of time to react.

mattmaroon3• 18 years ago

Compound eyes help a lot too.

beaudeal• 18 years ago

try this out: with your hands fairly far apart (so as not to alert the fly), clap very hard (and quickly) about 4 inches above where the fly is -- whether their escape route is front/back/left/right it almost certainly involves going up...this works great, seriously.

mattmaroon3• 18 years ago

What if you don't want to smash a fly in your hands?

yamil• 18 years ago

If you use only one hand you can catch the fly (alive) inside your hand (need some training) then you open the window and let it go.

mhb• 18 years ago

Then use chopsticks. Duh.

rob• 18 years ago

I seem to have no problem killing them when they fly on my windows and stop moving. I swat their ass and bury them before they even know what happened. My record is 262-12 (been keeping track for three years).

raganwald2• 18 years ago

Matt, thanks for the great post. What's our legal liability if we maim or kill the fly?

mattmaroon3• 18 years ago

Ask a lawyer. I'd recommend one specializing in criminal cases involving insect injury. Should have their own category in any Yellow Pages.

fauigerzigerk• 18 years ago

My girlfriend was slightly distraught the other day because she had swatted two flies while they were having sex. I guess researchers have some more work to do analysing how various movements contribute to life and death :-)

Why it's so hard to swat a fly

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