Forget the swatter. Get a nice belt you no longer need(there will be blood). Wait for the fly to settle down some where. When it does Raise your arm slowly so as to not frighten it. Once you are in striking position and distance wait a few seconds and make sure the fly is not ready to move. It might have seen you ,but doesn't percieve a threat. Then with all the might you are capable of swing away. If you did it right you should send that fly into the next plain of existence. It will never know what hit it. If you miss repeat entire process from step one. Do not try multiple swings as this is a waste of time. Good luck this summer.

I once read that flies acutally take off backwards - not forwards.  Since reading that article that I have aimed slightly behind the fly when swatting - and I virtually always make contact.

I have been killing flies for years with my hands. It takes using both of them at the same time - just clap them together about an inch higher than the fly is sitting.

Start out with your hands about two feet apart and end with both hands together just above where the fly is resting. If you don't want to kill the fly, cup your hands just a little bit and then you can let it go outside :) Of course, wash your hands after you are done killing those pesky insects!

Idiot un-educated me. I forgot the best way: I put cyanide in my dog's food and when he poops...

I wonder how much that research cost. I will bet those over-educated scientists a 90% hit success with one hand! I learned it from watching a preying mantis. And the education was free. They should go back to more useful research, like cow flatulence! I would take the time to research the spelling, but we all know how to spell "fart."

I will have to leave comments on the value of the fly, or lack thereof, to the immortal Samuel Clemens, who had something to say on the subject. Of course, Mark Twain was a satirist, and while I am sure the author appreciates (if not agrees) with the reference, of late I feat that we as a people have become a bit ... intellectually primitive .. to appreciate satire ;c)

(wanting, hoping, of course, to be proven wrong in an election year!)

It never ceases to amaze me how seemingly intelligent folks can rail about "useless" research when the fact is obvious that basic research is behind every discovery. How much "useless" research was instrumental in the inventions of our life? I won't bore you with a list 'cause the folks who "get it" will already know..... and the ignorant among us who actually think that this is an appropriate forum for gay bashing, political nonsense, denial of proven science, etc...... well, they never will get it.

The humorous posts are the best here... thanks guys.

Flies are dirty and carry diseases and you call me murderer, you pacifist? Kill all the flies possible. They belong in the wild, not my abode. Actually I have heard that the fly feels the pressure of the hand or swatter coming down. Which is why screen swatters are more effective. Hair spray is better as the wings get stiff and they can't fly. I've seen many people successfully swat flies tho with their hands and other swatters. So the title should be changed to 'Why a fly sometimes escapes swatting'.

There is a easy solution to this. You just spray the fly with a spray bottle. The spray bottle can have anything including water in it.This wets the fly's wings and they are no longer able to fly. After this just get something to pick the fly up and that is the end of it.

Here is how I deal pesky flies:

First I paint a fake tunnel on the wall.  Then I chase the fly around swatting at it and corraling it towards the wall.  While the fly has 360 degree vision, it is unable to distinguish between a real tunnel and one merely painted on the wall.  As it heads full speed toward it's intended escape route through the tunnel, it slams head first into the wall and will generally kill itself, or at the very least crush itself into the shape of an accordian.  Sometimes if you listen very closely you can actually hear accordian music as it walks away stunned and defeated.  

This technique has also proved effective with coyotes, puddy tats, and redneck hunters named Elmer.

I don't know where you found your fly, but you'll find the HOTTEST flies at flymingle.com   I have been with my fly for 8 months, and couldnt be more happy.  

But seriously folks, an article on how to kill a fly?  Murderers.  If you don't want to have flies, put up bags of water over your doorways, windows, and any other way flies can get in.  The reflexion on the water is not pleasant to the Flies eyes.  You can have your doors and windows wide open and wont have a fly.  Go to The Office in Desert Hot Springs...you'll see.  Have a Green Lizard while you are there.

200 milliseconds isn't as fast as most people think. For the record, 200 milliseconds is the average reaction time for humans, as well (mine is 195 milliseconds, go to http://www.humanbenchmark.com/tests/reactiontime/index.php to find your reaction time). To put it into perspective, 200 milliseconds is 1/5 (one-fifth) of a second, or 0.2 seconds. Also, take into consideration that flies have a much denser pack of nerves than many other animals, which allow it to be fast in correlation to its size. The fly's compound eyes contribute to its dexterity, and it is rounded about halfway to the back of its head, owing to its <360 degree vision (it is closer to 330 degrees, since even both of its eyes together can't exactly see behind its abdomen and its focus isn't omnipotent). Those dense packs of nerves allow the flies to process the images (information) at near mach speeds (Mach speed is 770 mph, we process info at 330 mph). To give an idea, if the fly was the size of a human, it would fly at 650-700 mph!

Basically, the three best methods of getting that darned fly is either to surround it in all directions (clapping methods work well), use a wide-range insecticide spray (chemical sprays work most of the time when it hits its target, try high-impact PLEDGE or WINDEX at 4-6 inches). or the age-old method of boiling hot water, when convenient. Flies have an exoskeleton, and chemicals/hot water denatures the exoskeletal chitin proteins, which is absolutely necessary for survival. It may also creep you out as well as inspire a thought that bacteria also protect themselves in a coating of chitin. Seeing the picture of germ-carrying insects? Yeah, that should get you thinking...

This is all you need to know about flies in general. Happy hunting!

The easiest way to kill a fly is with a vacuum cleaner. When they land, you use the hose from the vacuum to sneak up on them from behind. By the time they catch on, its too late. The force of the vacuum overpowers their ability to fly away. It works every single time.

I have been killing flies for 50 years with great success(90* percent) using both hands coming together in a clapping motion approximately one to two inches above the fly. They seem to rise straight up like a helicopter when they sense the danger.

  I find this very interesting. I'll share with you my real experience of how to catch or kill a fly. To kill a fly by bare hand approach from above very slowly with flat hand palm side down to within about 8". The fly doesn't know your there, contrary to this rediculous research. Slap down straight and quickly and I'll guaranty the fly is done. Second, to catch a fly you approach slowly with hand slightly cupped from the flies rear because the fly always flies backward, again contrary to this intelligent research. Once within about 8" sweep quickly closing the hand and you'll catch it at least 70% of the time. Why don't they try it out in research. You don't need a doctorate in flycology to figure this out!

200 milliseconds isn't as fast as most people think. For the record, 200 milliseconds is the average reaction time for humans, as well (mine is 195 milliseconds, go to http://www.humanbenchmark.com/tests/reactiontime/index.php to find your reaction time). To put it into perspective, 200 milliseconds is 1/5 (one-fifth) of a second, or 0.2 seconds. Also, take into consideration that flies have a much denser pack of nerves than many other animals, which allow it to be fast in correlation to its size. The fly's compound eyes contribute to its dexterity, and it is rounded about halfway to the back of its head, owing to its <360 degree vision (it is closer to 330 degrees, since even both of its eyes together can't exactly see behind its abdomen and its focus isn't omnipotent). Those dense packs of nerves allow the flies to process the images (information) at near mach speeds (Mach speed is 770 mph, we process info at 330 mph). To give an idea, if the fly was the size of a human, it would fly at 650-700 mph!

Basically, the three best methods of getting that darned fly is either to surround it in all directions (clapping methods work well), use a wide-range insecticide spray (chemical sprays work most of the time when it hits its target, try high-impact PLEDGE or WINDEX at 4-6 inches). or the age-old method of boiling hot water, when convenient. Flies have an exoskeleton, and chemicals/hot water denatures the exoskeletal chitin proteins, which is absolutely necessary for survival. It may also creep you out as well as inspire a thought that bacteria also protect themselves in a coating of chitin. Seeing the picture of germ-carrying insects? Yeah, that should get you thinking...

This is all you need to know about flies in general. Happy hunting!

Funny, but this reminds me of when I'd approach girls in college-- same reflexive dynamics.  However, my intent was to ask them to dance.  It seemed that my approach initiated a thirst that required them to race to the bar immediately.  I thought about doing a Masters Thesis on the phenomenon, but cover charges made research costs prohibitive for a starving college student.  As for the flies?  This is nothing new.  That's why they invented fly spray.  

Gee, with all you professional swatters, slappers, cuppers, slicers n dicers, and chopstick wielders, it's really a wonder there are even any flies left in the world.

Just another waste of research money. Everyone knows the proper way to kill a fly is to nuke them from orbit.  it's the only way to be sure.

Well now let us all go to CalTech and apply for this here class that uses such high tech equipment to calculate where, how and which direction a fly will move upon detecting eminent danger coming to crush it minute skeletal structure to a bloody pulp. I want to learn how the positioning of ones legs is going to help my computer calculate what key is going to be pushed on its keyboard (as you can tell mine needs help because it keeps spelling words wrong).

Oh I almost forgot this is CalTech an that means its in California right, so it must be a Gay Thing and of course let us not forget that it's bound to be a Democrat that approved and sponsored this study so now we need to blame it al on Global Warming (oh I forgot again it now Climate Change).

Everyone have a great day killing flies.

Though not attempting to be gross and aware of proper hand washing techniques; one simple needs to position both equal distance infront of and behind or on either side of said subject - the almighty 360 degree visulizing FLY, then with equal momentum proceed to "slap" hands together.  This action does not allow the fly's neuronal process enough time to calculate which direction the force is coming from.  End result, though I have not calculated with an accurate success / failure ratio, I am most certain I am / would be on the positive side of a graph / scale.  I shall go wash my hands of this experience.

spantalk,

I laughed until I cried.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you maclever, I know I'd want to see the bullet that's about to kill me coming my way. If you'd stop and do the arithmetic you'd realize that in the time the human brain could process the information and for the human body to move out of the bullet's path would make the sight of the bullet immaterial  One wouldn't even have time to say "Oh-oh".

ok this is to those who are whining about a college studying flies, and the money going into it.

1. programs like this are set up so students can learn about EVERY aspect of our world. it is not "meaningless" nor has anything to do with funding.

2. johnwhicks, how much do you know about college programs? more than 70% of them are not funded, like this one slips through the cracks. you may not think so but it is important information, the fly, previously thought to be one of the dumbest creatures on earth, also previously thought to have no forethought or inteligence, to qoute the article - “When the fly makes planning movements prior to takeoff, it takes into account its body position at the time it first sees the threat,” Dickinson says. “The fly somehow ‘knows’ whether it needs to make large or small postural changes to reach the correct preflight posture.” It does all this “long” (in fly time) before it takes off. “These movements are made very rapidly, within about 200 milliseconds” of seeing the swatter, says Dickinson, “but within that time the animal determines where the threat is coming from and activates an appropriate set of movements to position its legs and wings.”

if you knew anything about... anything, you would know that this reaction time is unheard of. 200 milliseconds to save its life, is faster than the blink of an eye, it may be just instinct but a study like this can help in war, imagine a VR headset like whats currently in testing stages, which transmits real-time info to the wearer, allowing soldiers to see a bullet coming, being enhanced because of this study. it may not sound like reality, but its true. smaller studys have led to greater applications, like the first robotic arm, no one thought anything of it, now its being used to disarm bombs, being sent into combat as a recon application, thereby saving hundreds of lives. or the computer which is a better example, no one thought it would amount to anything, and now we have C.A.T.T. scans MRI's, EKG's, numerous computers that help save billions of lives. think of that before spouting off how useless studies like this are.

You're are supposed to use chopsticks. Duh!

I am in agreement with gearhead4life.  I always just catch them by hand and fastball them at the counter or ground....ok, sometimes I do a catch and release to the outdoors.  Catching flies by hand is relatively easy.  Yes you have to be fast...but there is a trick.  The flies always jump up before they fly.  So as quick as you can you snatch the air right above the fly.  Then hold your hand closed tightly.  The tricky part is the determination whther it is in your hand or not....if you loosen your grip a bit but keep it sealed you can usually feel them squirm, )or you can shake youe hand around trying to determine the little guy bouncing around)  The smart flies play dead and escape when you try to take a peek.  When in doubt only open youe hand outside. If you cought it outside then :throw" the sucker at the ground as hard as you can.  70% of the time you will end up with a stunned fly.  30% of the time you will come up emoty and just look like a fool.

The most effective way that I have found to end a fly's existence is to slowly creep forward directly toward is face while he's still on an object and have your fingers ready to thump the *** out of his face.....head on.

Flies naturally seem to suspect that whatever fate may befall them......it will come from above or behind and not quick enough for him to easily escape.

SLOWLY approach a still fly, thumping fingers ready and when you are certain that your very quick THUMP is well in range of his face.......thump him hard!

It almost ALWAYS works, sends the fly flying to the floor, unconscious or dead.  Either way, he's done for sure once he's motionless on a floor or countertop!

Yeah, flies are fast......but not as fast as that of a quick finger thump to his face!

How do you swat a fly?  An article that came out in the Reader's Digest about 20 years ago (I think by MIT) said that a fly can quickly calculate the best escape route for a single object coming from any direction.  Add a second object and it becomes confused.  Try it with two hands.  It works every time.

The other thing that I remember they said -- you cannot teach a fly anything; it's hardwired.

Try this, I use windex original for most fly problems, it works well and if i'm close to the fly somtimes one shot will knock him out of the air, if he's still it's even easier, once they get hit they will be affected and the spray cone makes it easy..it's sorta fun, lots cleaner than the swatter method ..it doesn't leave fly blood but take care around fabrics!

Ronnie

Flies can't see above themselves.  You can cut them in half with a knife.

Flies can't see above themselves.  You can cut them in half with a knife.

With the price of Milk getting to the point where it is luxury for the poor because of the energy costs associated with transporting and cooling it, I would think a school with the reputation of CalTech would have enough common sense NOT to publish something so meaningless at this time.  I am blessed to have a comfortable lifestyle but see this as a slap in the face to the poor.  The poor which is quickly becoming the majority in this country is worried about getting enough money to put food on the table, pay for heat and have enough left over to put gas in the car to make it to work; the vast majority of them already know how to kill a fly.  I am sure CalTech is working on alternative energy sources as I type this.  My point is that it looks like they would have had the sense to sit on this one for a while and not publish totally and useless findings when our country is facing serious issues.  It is like pouring salt into an open wound and shows just how out of touch the elite are with the struggles everyday people.

Yet nobody has mentioned the rubber band.  No fly can escape the speeding rubber band.  If you haven't learned how to shoot a fly sitting or flying, you haven't lived. Better choice than a newspaper.  And you remember them saying that TV would replace the newspaper?  Well, try swatting a fly with a TV set.  And the Inetrnet that would replace all the news media?  Well, swat one with your laptop!

As you can tell by all the comments this is a very intricate art form and the reason there is a college devoted to this subject (there are 10 such colleges in Europe but only one in the USA). Currently Russia has applied to Europe to develop such a college in their country but because of the parlimentry regulations Russia has thus far been denied a college. Russia has become extremely angered at the European Council on Foreign Relations (E-CFR) as Europe had declared that only 12 colleges would be allowed world wide due to the extreme dangers of fly swatting and germ infestation. It is rumoured however, that Russia is perparing to knock out three of these colleges and become themselves the place for the number 10 college, only time will tell but it is a very hot issue with neighboring states Georgia,Azerbaijan and Ukraine (each having one college). A little off the subject matter, today marks (8-30-08) the anniversary of the death of a fellow student whom died trying to swat a regular common housefly from the roof edge of the FATS campus building on North campus (FATS - Flies Are To Swat) on July 24, 2006, and I would like to out of respect ask for a moment of silence! A special Thank You to Ms. Sharon Begley for bringing this information to the forefront of the public and for her continued support, both with information and financial support or as Rush would say "Kudo's".

http://themousecried.blogspot.com

I would like to submit that a fly buzzing around in the house at night always is attracted towards light.  It usually ends up in the bathroom as other lights are shut off.  Simply watch it land, flick off the light and smack it in the dark with the swatter.  If you miss, flick the light on and then off and it lands again.  Hardly ever miss when you zero in on them.  

I don't even use a fly swatter.  I use a towel and swat them down in mid flight.  I just killed one a few minutes ago.  We had an infestation (still have no idea how we got so many in the house when nobody left a door open that day) a couple of months ago and I killed about a dozen in one hour.  

Research is a waste of money on this project when there are more worthy and life improving areas like curing cancer.  Thati is where they should focused not on "why we cannot kill the fly"

When I was a kid, a friend had a pet lizard. We would go to the sunlit garage wall in the alley, just above the trash can, to catch flies attracted to the fragrance and the bright white surface. By slowly moving both hands, one from each side, toward the fly, its multi-angle eyes are confused. You can then swiftly and simultaneously move your hands in the direction of the fly, and slightly upward and ahead of it, to either slap them together for a kill (not a problem to a 13 year old boy!), or make that same move while forming an escape proof chamber by cupping your hands at the end of your motion. Then you can dump the fly into the lizard's aquarium, slam down the lid before the poor fly gets is bearings, and have fun watching the reptile's rapid tongue to go work! Fun! Awesome fun! That was our version of a video game in 1960!

How much money was spent determining that a fly will actually not sit still and allow you to kill it?  In other words, how much money went into telling us a fly as a survival instinct which is found in all living creatures?

Flies are particularly bad this year around our place for whatever reason.  It took some time but I eventually taught my wife how to get the little suckers.  She missed over and over again until I showed her how to do it.  With just a little practice she now hits them far more than she misses.  I can honestly say I never miss.  Despite what the article said, the best and about only way is in fact to move in slowly.  If they wise up and move away, you simply wait till they land again and move in slowly again.  I do not swat unless I can come down directly on top of them from about a foot away.  I never miss.  Back in the dueling days, it was not the fastest guy who won.  It was the one who took the time to take careful aim.  Same principal applies, just takes a little patience.

They tested coming at all different angles which are a complete and total waste of time.  It does not matter what angle the fly is positioned relative to the horizon, you simply position the swatter so you are always coming down perpendicular to the surface he is on (i.e. you always come down straight onto his back).

Maybe I can get the grant money they wasted and put it to good use like feeding the children that go to bed hungry every night right here in America.

How much money did this "scientific" company get to come up with this hooey!  I have always heard, since a child, that a fly leaps baclwards and that if you swat BEHIND the fly, you will get it. I have always done this and have not missed in over 70 years!  Shame on Cal Tech for taking the public's money for this report.

                                                  Graham W Miller

Yo - Put da swatter away...Here's what ya do...Bring your hands in slowly extended and aligned in a clapping position and about 3 inches above the fly's position...When your hands are about 10 inches apart it is time to affect the "clap of death." Works every time...As that fly lifts off it can't move fast enought to avoid the closing hands...Remember to wash up and finish your egg sandwich!

I went to a fly swatting academy located in Gatlinburg Tennessee (near Dollywood's Dolly Parton) and while it does not have a large number of students (currently 245 students with a ratio of 1 teacher per 30 students) you can however, graduate in 4 years and earn a MDF degree (Make Dead Fly). I did not realize how complicated it is and has been for people to kill flies especially with swats until I enrolled in the college. It is extremely detailed in both design and curricula with a book required reading every 3 months, with a total of about 16 books. The technique used is similiar to the CSI units and requires disection of the fly and it's larvae, the maggot. In the research one learns where flys live, their pattern of flight,how they transfer disease,the different type of flies throughout the world and size range, and much more to numerous to name. The college has a basketball team called the Tsetse's,and a football team called the Bots,baseball team called the Swatters,as well as swim team,chess team etc...,. School colors are medium gray and maroon blood red. We have not as of yet made the Olympics or competed as a national team as most students are skeptical of the degree and where one would apply  the vocation after graduation. If interested in attending the college and it's graduate degree program (also V.A. accredited) you can attain more information at the website -  http://themousecried.blogspot.com -  as our team mascot is the "mouse".

Fly's are stupid bust dem in day azz

Despite all the research into why your can't swat a fly I believe it comes down to being smarter than the fly. People have been swatting flies successfully for years. I used to catch flies to feed my pet turtles by just cupping them as they lit on the ends of our willow tree branches.

Remember that first "Karate Kid" where Mr. Miyagi told Daniel that if you catch a fly with chopsticks you can do anything? I have an ex husband that actually caught a fly with chopsticks. Maybe our tax dollars should be spent on researching the truth of that?

With all due respect to Michael Dickinson,I disagree with his findings that were in this article. I have killed many a fly in my lifetime...and yes...I did approach very slowly and usually got the fly I was after. The slow appraoch has worked many many times for me. I figured that if I approached slowly so as not to attract attention (they have great vision...yes), then I would be able to get them with the swatter.  It works pretty well. Thank you for letting me voice my opinion.

I agree with rockinfire7....I also believe they have a blind spot because instead of using a fly swatter I clap my hands about 2 inches above them. They seem to fly straight up so I usually get them.  So it makes sense to me that they may actually have a blind spot. Maybe the scientist should test the theory. If your hands are about 2 inches above and you don't get them vary the spacing as your either to low or too high.

What's more challenging, and rewarding is catching a fly by hand.  The difficult part is trying to make sure they are killed, which is the ultimate goal of catching, or swatting flies. I have caught many flies by hand, then shaken them vigorously to see if indeed they are caught, only to have them fly away when I open my hand. Imitating a fast-ball throw against the floor or wall seems to do the trick most of the time. Trying to squeeze the life out of them isn't as successful with fat fingers!  Besides, who wants fly guts all over their hands anyway? The little battery-powered fly cookers that look like racquetball rackets are entertaining too, if you like he smell of cooked wings.

If that is true,why is so easy to catch a fly if you go from the side,I do not buy that research.

Somone probably got a  government grant  to come up with this non sense,I can catch flies all day long with my hand if I go from the side,if he is so fast why does  he  move out of the way.

Flies can see 360 degrees around themselves but they CAN NOT see directly above themselves. They DO have a blind spot.. Try it ! You can take a long toothpick and stab the little sucker before he knows what hit him. ( As long as the pick is directly above the fly and doesn't enter his area of vision)

Flies can see 360 degrees around themselves but they CAN NOT see directly above themselves. They DO have a blind spot.. Try it ! You can take a long toothpick and stab the little sucker before he knows what hit him. ( As long as the pick is directly above the fly and doesn't enter his area of vision)

  The best way to "swat" a fly is to place your hands on either side of him (or her) at the same time.

They seem unable to cope with two things coming towards them at the same time in a non threatening or "non-swatting" manner.  Slowly move your hands to about 10 inches apart and then

clap them together.  Now you may think, "Eew, Gross, squashed fly on my hands," but no.  The fly

will fall in a heap as soon as you open your hands, still in one piece.  In fact he won't look like he's even hurt. Trust me, it happens every time.   I assume they are only unconscious from the concussion and pick them up and throw them out the door.

(in a tiny, high pitched voice) Help me! Help me! Help meeeee!

This is interesting and may be true, but I've caught flies in my hand and I've swatted them with my bare hand. Just like any other athletic event, a superior athlete, with better skill, will prevail. I had a friend in college - going back 24 years - who could catch flies in his hand whenever he wanted. Maybe this energy  exploring neuronal processing would be better focused on finding a cure for one of the many cancers that take human lives every day.

This is interesting and may be true, but I've caught flies in my hand and I've swatted them with my bare hand. Just like any other athletic event, a superior athlete, with better skill, will prevail. I had a friend in college - going back 24 years - who could catch flies in his hand whenever he wanted. Maybe this energy  exploring neuronal processing would be better focused on finding a cure for one of the many cancers that take human lives every day.

Interesting discussion boys... but i thought one of the main contributing factors in "el attempto futale" was in part due to the aerodynamics of the instrument being used.  For example, any solid object moved through the air, pushes the air creating turbulance.  The turbulance propels any objects away from the solid object.  The more velocity of the object the greater the turbulance, the more force to push objects out of the way.  An example of this involves the sideways "push" you feel when passing a truck on the hwy.  Poking holes in the instrument, such as in a fly swatter, decreases the drag and resistance which results in a decrease in turbulance in the air stream in front of the swatter.  This eventually results in "la muerte de la mosca".  We have way too much time on our hands...

Interesting discussion boys... but i thought one of the main contributing factors in "el attempto futale" was in part due to the aerodynamics of the instrument being used.  For example, any solid object moved through the air, pushes the air creating turbulance.  The turbulance propels any objects away from the solid object.  The more velocity of the object the greater the turbulance, the more force to push objects out of the way.  An example of this involves the sideways "push" you feel when passing a truck on the hwy.  Poking holes in the instrument, such as in a fly swatter, decreases the drag and resistance which results in a decrease in turbulance in the air stream in front of the swatter.  This eventually results in "la muerte de la mosca".  We have way too much time on our hands...

Poor Simon, Speed is the factor in the newspaper, not airflow. So you don't need holes if you are fast enough. So reach into your "Sinister Bar" and take another swig of stupidity.

A Flea and a Fly in a flue were caught

So what could they do?

Said the Fly,  " Let us Flee"

"Let us fly ", said the flea

So they flew through a flaw in the flue

Kajun1102... Did you actually read the article? Holes in the fly swatter are to cut down on wind resistance, thereby making swat speed faster.  Where are the holes in a newspaper? Sheesh!  Reach into the beer fridge and get a can of "get a clue".  When the scientists can predict what path the fly takes from point A-B then I'll be impressed.  Considering the fly has a brain about the size of half the knuckleheads here (not the half I am in, though) you wouldn't think it hard to do.  Just goes to show you, how complicated even the tiniest of life forms really is.  Even the most powerful computer we have could not predict the path of a fly (remember the size of his brain).

The arguments about the wisdom and appropriate use of research funds aside, I have heard and validated on my own the premise that flys have a blind spot directly in fromt of their faces.  Using this blind spot, I have been very secussful at knocking them out with a flick of my finger provided that I approach them from directly in front of them.  Once they're knocked out, it's real easy to pull their f@#king little wings off and then incinerate them with a magnifying glass.

I'd rather read Toonamint of Champions.

Try this next time you want to kill a fly.  I actually dissect it. Take out your trusty pocket knife and real, I mean real, slow, come down on top of the little disease carrier.  When you are about 1/32 of an inch above, whack it.  Works every time.

Flies have little hairs all over them, enabling them to feel the slightest change in the air. That's why fly-swatters are made with holes in them. Speed is also a factor, thus making "SpeedBugs" rolled up newspaper a handy swatter also. But regardless the technique, I feel it is a waste of time and money to focus on a flies ability to take off fast, or in certain directions. After all they only live for a couple of weeks, if that. Maybe we should put some flies on a cancer patient and see what they come up with on that............(he says with disgust!)

great story...

Speedbug you are truely a fool.  This "useless" crap is what will keep our technical/scientific edge as I could see uses for this in computer and robotic technologies both for domestic and military use.  I would suggest you look up random things that goverment funds have helped to make part of our everyday lives...such as the internet (which you apparently can and do use).

The pesky critters rarely escape the crash of my rolled up newspaper. Knowing we have scientists wasting research dollars on such useless crap has me concerned. And I can just imagine our government probably supported this fly research with grants funded by the taxpayers.

I always get my flies! Flies take off BACKWARD. So I always aim to to the rear of the fly. Works everytime!

Knuckleheads....I kill flies with chop sticks all the time.

really why are 'scientist spending all this time on fly swatting techniques when they are obviously very intelligent. If we can't apply this to humans and only flies then these SMART people could be spending their time using their large brains to finding cures, something that truly matters

I can pee in the air and kill a fly mid stream..  

I know it's a different matter when the fly is committed to a specific fly path. More than one boxer has been reputed to be able to pick a fly out of the air with two fingers, a feat I myself have accomplished more than once. Going to school in a much hotter climate than Boston, I had a teacher once who had a phobia against flies, he used to smack them out of the air with a yellow HB pencil he kept handy on his desk for that specific purpose. I kid you not.

I don't know what they are talking about....I hardly ever miss "swatting" a fly with either a fly swatter or my hand.