Difference between revisions of "Catch a Fly With Your Hands"
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=== Using a Surface === | === Using a Surface === | ||
#Spot the fly. Just because you hear a buzzing sound doesn’t mean that it’s a fly roaming around you. Beware of bees and wasps. You shouldn’t kill these bugs because they are important for the environment and can sting you. | #Spot the fly. Just because you hear a buzzing sound doesn’t mean that it’s a fly roaming around you. Beware of bees and wasps. You shouldn’t kill these bugs because they are important for the environment and can sting you. | ||
| − | #*Also beware of a horse fly. A horse fly is larger than an average house fly and can bite.<ref>http://www.hucosystems.com/articles/Fly%20Catching.htm</ref> | + | #*Also beware of a horse fly. A horse fly is larger than an average house fly and can bite.<ref name="rf1">http://www.hucosystems.com/articles/Fly%20Catching.htm</ref> |
| − | #Consider your surrounding. Once you’ve identified the fly, take a survey of your environment and the supplies nearby. If you have a counter nearby, you can use it as a hard surface to squash the bug on.<ref>http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Catch-A-Fly/</ref> | + | #Consider your surrounding. Once you’ve identified the fly, take a survey of your environment and the supplies nearby. If you have a counter nearby, you can use it as a hard surface to squash the bug on.<ref name="rf2">http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Catch-A-Fly/</ref> |
#Track the fly. If you’re going to catch this fly with your bare hands, you’ll need to be able to follow the bug with your eyes. When flies are indoors they usually try to escape and are tricked by windows. This is where they’ll usually be unless there is rotting food nearby. | #Track the fly. If you’re going to catch this fly with your bare hands, you’ll need to be able to follow the bug with your eyes. When flies are indoors they usually try to escape and are tricked by windows. This is where they’ll usually be unless there is rotting food nearby. | ||
#Plan your strike. After following the fly’s behaviour and where it is spending its time, prepare to strike. Consider before killing the fly if there is an alternative to ridding the fly from your personal space. Outline the perimeter of the fly with your eyes. | #Plan your strike. After following the fly’s behaviour and where it is spending its time, prepare to strike. Consider before killing the fly if there is an alternative to ridding the fly from your personal space. Outline the perimeter of the fly with your eyes. | ||
| − | #*Move slowly to a place you’ll have the leverage to strike.<ref | + | #*Move slowly to a place you’ll have the leverage to strike.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Swat the fly. Once you’ve positioned yourself close enough to the fly, it’s time to kill. Make sure both your hands are free. Take a quick jab at the fly. The aim is to wedge the hard surface the fly is resting on with your palm. | #Swat the fly. Once you’ve positioned yourself close enough to the fly, it’s time to kill. Make sure both your hands are free. Take a quick jab at the fly. The aim is to wedge the hard surface the fly is resting on with your palm. | ||
| − | #*Have your other hand ready to go if you miss the fly. This way you can slam the other hand onto the fly in a flash.<ref | + | #*Have your other hand ready to go if you miss the fly. This way you can slam the other hand onto the fly in a flash.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Sanitize your environment. If you are successful in killing the fly, you need to wash your hands thoroughly. Use antibacterial soap for the most efficient wash. Dispose of the fly in a napkin into the trash. Wash the smudge off the wall as needed. | #Sanitize your environment. If you are successful in killing the fly, you need to wash your hands thoroughly. Use antibacterial soap for the most efficient wash. Dispose of the fly in a napkin into the trash. Wash the smudge off the wall as needed. | ||
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#*You shouldn’t kill bees because they are important to the environment and can potentially sting you. | #*You shouldn’t kill bees because they are important to the environment and can potentially sting you. | ||
#Survey your location. Take an inventory of the supplies around you. Sometimes a fly will start to annoy you away from anything useful like a wall or fly swatter. These can be difficult scenarios for successful fly-catching. | #Survey your location. Take an inventory of the supplies around you. Sometimes a fly will start to annoy you away from anything useful like a wall or fly swatter. These can be difficult scenarios for successful fly-catching. | ||
| − | #Understand the technique for two hands. Using two hands is a difficult way to catch a fly, but it is also the most intuitive method. To catch the fly you will use your hands in a clapping motion. The idea is to catch the fly by trapping it between your two hands.<ref | + | #Understand the technique for two hands. Using two hands is a difficult way to catch a fly, but it is also the most intuitive method. To catch the fly you will use your hands in a clapping motion. The idea is to catch the fly by trapping it between your two hands.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Trace the fly. Before clapping like a madman, you need to briefly study the fly’s patterns and habits. You won’t be able to fully map out its behavior, but a basic idea might help. | #Trace the fly. Before clapping like a madman, you need to briefly study the fly’s patterns and habits. You won’t be able to fully map out its behavior, but a basic idea might help. | ||
#*Also, training your eyes to follow its movements will help your coordination in catching the fly. | #*Also, training your eyes to follow its movements will help your coordination in catching the fly. | ||
| − | #*The fly also might leave your personal space while watching it. This will save its life and prevent you from cleaning up a mess.<ref | + | #*The fly also might leave your personal space while watching it. This will save its life and prevent you from cleaning up a mess.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Make your move. After you feel confident enough in tracking the fly you can strike it down. Wait for the fly to come close enough to you or your food. Once it is within arm's reach, make a quick move to clap the fly out of its existence. | #Make your move. After you feel confident enough in tracking the fly you can strike it down. Wait for the fly to come close enough to you or your food. Once it is within arm's reach, make a quick move to clap the fly out of its existence. | ||
#*Holding your hands in an extended position close to the fly will help you move quicker. | #*Holding your hands in an extended position close to the fly will help you move quicker. | ||
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#Understand the one hand technique. This technique requires you to catch the fly using one hand and patience. This can be harder for some people, but you only need one hand to get the job done. Using one hand is all about utilizing whatever resources you have nearby. | #Understand the one hand technique. This technique requires you to catch the fly using one hand and patience. This can be harder for some people, but you only need one hand to get the job done. Using one hand is all about utilizing whatever resources you have nearby. | ||
#Find a fly. Wait for it to land on an open surface free of clutter (such as a table). Beware of bees and wasps. You shouldn’t kill these bugs because they are important for the environment and can sting you. | #Find a fly. Wait for it to land on an open surface free of clutter (such as a table). Beware of bees and wasps. You shouldn’t kill these bugs because they are important for the environment and can sting you. | ||
| − | #Position your hand. Hold your hand about {{convert|1|ft|m|adj=on|sigfig=1}} (30 cm) behind the fly and about an inch above the surface. Your palm should be open with your thumb toward the fly. Rotate your hand so that your palm is facing diagonally down and towards the fly.<ref>http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/the-art-of-catching-a-fly/</ref> | + | #Position your hand. Hold your hand about {{convert|1|ft|m|adj=on|sigfig=1}} (30 cm) behind the fly and about an inch above the surface. Your palm should be open with your thumb toward the fly. Rotate your hand so that your palm is facing diagonally down and towards the fly.<ref name="rf3">http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/the-art-of-catching-a-fly/</ref> |
| − | #Swat the fly. Sweep your hand quickly toward the fly, keeping your palm facing it. As your hand reaches the point above where the fly landed, close your hand quickly. The fly will be startled by the quick motion and will take off directly into your palm! Follow through with your hand for another foot or so.<ref | + | #Swat the fly. Sweep your hand quickly toward the fly, keeping your palm facing it. As your hand reaches the point above where the fly landed, close your hand quickly. The fly will be startled by the quick motion and will take off directly into your palm! Follow through with your hand for another foot or so.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Check for the remains. Flies are small and you may have caught the fly without feeling it. Carefully open your hand to see the fly you caught. | #Check for the remains. Flies are small and you may have caught the fly without feeling it. Carefully open your hand to see the fly you caught. | ||
| − | #*If you did not catch a fly on your first attempt, do not get discouraged. Try again, adjusting the speed of your hand. Once you get it right, it will work every time!<ref | + | #*If you did not catch a fly on your first attempt, do not get discouraged. Try again, adjusting the speed of your hand. Once you get it right, it will work every time!<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Cup the fly. Another method worth trying is putting a cupped hand in front of the resting fly, then with a swift forward movement catch the fly as it takes off. This is the Shaolin Monk's technique. It requires patience and doesn’t kill the fly if executed successfully. | #Cup the fly. Another method worth trying is putting a cupped hand in front of the resting fly, then with a swift forward movement catch the fly as it takes off. This is the Shaolin Monk's technique. It requires patience and doesn’t kill the fly if executed successfully. | ||
#*After catching the fly, release it out into the wild where it belongs. | #*After catching the fly, release it out into the wild where it belongs. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
