Flypaper

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Fly capture tape

Flypaper (also known as fly ribbon) is a fly-killing device made of paper coated with a sweetly fragrant, but extremely sticky and sometimes poisonous substance that traps flies and other flying insects when they land upon it. Fly paper is considered a pest control device, and is subject to regulation in the United States of America under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act[1]

Contents

[edit] Toxicity

The poisons used in flypaper can potentially be toxic to humans and animals. Historically, metallic arsenic (a well-known toxin to humans) was used in flypaper.[2] Arsenic extracted by soaking flypaper in water has been used by several convicted murderers, among them Frederick Seddon and Florence Maybrick.[3]

[edit] Effectiveness

Flypaper is as effective as many other methods involving insecticides or bug zappers.[4] However, a twisted strip of flypaper hanging from the ceiling is considered by many to be aesthetically less acceptable than some other methods, and so flypaper is not as commonly used as it once was[citation needed]. Some formulas for flypaper also have a slight but potentially disagreeable odor. Handling and disposing of flypaper can be awkward because it is so sticky (vegetable oil can be used to remove the adhesive). Flypaper loses its effectiveness over time when it dries up and should be replaced regularly. Consideration should also be given to positioning as it may be less effective in certain areas of a room.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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