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Venus fly trap

Posted by angelee WA Aust (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 14, 06 at 2:52

Does anyone have one?

I've convinced myself one of these carnivorous insect attracting and consuming plants would be the perfect solution to our indoor fly problem! We have no idea HOW they are getting in, but we'll get up to a dozen flies a day in our kitchen on a bad day... One or two at least on a good day!

I'm sick of spraying them, the fumes are noxious and if we have dishes on the bench it means they ALL need washing again... Or worse if I haven't quite got around to putting the food away from the previous meal, a thoughtless spray means it's ALL in the bin!!

I'm tired of swatting them then having to clean up fly guts and dead flies off the bench/window/sink/cupboards daily. I'm also worried I will damage our new blinds in my desperation to splat a rogue fly.

My husband is far from convinced that a venus flytrap would be a solution. He thinks other factors like if there was something pongy in the bin or a dirty dish on the sink, that the flies would be more interested in that than the flytrap itself.

Then there's the problem of them apparently requiring a terranium (sp?) or other form of humid environment to live in... and the fact that if you don't have any flies around, you need to go hunt one down to keep your plant healthy and happy.

I just wondered if anyone out there was experienced with these plants and whether they would be of any use indoors as an environmentally fly control method, or would they create more problems than they solved???


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Venus fly trap

I don't think it will be the answer to your fly problem. Have you tried those sticky paper strips, I think they may be a better option. Not sure where you can get them now, but you could try Bunnings or hardware stores.


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RE: Venus fly trap

  • Posted by pos02 NSW Aust (My Page) on
    Mon, Nov 20, 06 at 21:30

The flies must be getting in through a hole in the screening. Otherwise perhaps you are leaving the door open too long when you go in/out. I would concentrate on stopping them in the first place. You could also try planting some prostantheras (native mint) near the doorways. This seems to keep them away due to the mint smell.


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RE: Venus fly trap

Mature Venus fly traps can consume up to 20 flies per day,not bad! Culture requirements are: water with rainwater - does not like chlorine. Water from base - doesnt like to be wet. Dont force feed!! this spells early death to traps. Hope this helps!!


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RE: Venus fly trap

Hi, I have a fast question... is there a type of venus fly trap that grows the largest? like which one would i buy for it to go the largest... i been doin some reserchen and ppl have said feed spiders that makes it grow nice but which kind are the biggest?!?


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RE: Venus fly trap

I grow a few different varieties of flytraps. If I'm being honest I don't think they'll make much of a dent in your fly problem. They do catch and consume flies well but are not really effective enough to be used as a biological controls and yes if there is something better smelling on offer the flies will go there rather than near the plant. They also require full sun to perform best so keeping them indoors is not really practical unless you can provide a lot of light.

Pete,
There are several large clones available. Generally traps get up to around 1 1/2" with good culture. Clones like Big Mouth, Big Traps, Giant and South West Giant generally attain this size The maximum size of the giant forms can vary but generally the size difference is minor and highly dependant on culture.


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