Can You Really Catch Flies with Honey?

Where the Saying Came From

This particular saying is sometimes credited to Benjamin Franklin in his “Poor Richard's Almanac” in 1744, but as it turns out, its origins go farther back than he does. It was actually an old Italian proverb. It is recorded in A Common Place of Italian Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases by Giovanni Torriano in 1666.

The Efficacy of Honey

Just because a saying is old doesn’t necessarily mean that it rings true though, so what about this one? Does honey actually help you catch flies? Well, it’s definitely going to help you more than vinegar generally will, at least (though apple cider vinegar can be used to attract them too). Flies may be attracted to the sweetness of honey. Of course, that sweetness can be a fly’s downfall, since it’s also quite sticky. If a fly gets stuck in honey, it’s only a matter of time before it’s all over.

Other Ways to Catch Flies

There are plenty of DIY fly traps you can put up in your home if you find yourself dealing with a fly problem. From sticky paper to traps that get them stuck in a container, there are a ton of different options out there. Figuring out what method is best can be something of a science experiment though, which can be less appropriate in a business setting. Homes and businesses that find themselves troubled by flies would do well to call for pest control services so the problem can be addressed as quickly as possible.

As it turns out, the old saying about catching flies and honey rings true in more ways than one. In the business world, it turns out that it’s not a bad thing to be aware of both. From the figurative standpoint, you stand to do much better for yourself. From the literal standpoint, knowing that flies are attracted to sweet things can be helpful when managing a pesky problem.

Need some extra help to deal with flies at your business? See what our Commercial Pest Control service can do for your business.