I grew up in England where the biggest pests of the time were football hooligans or the government of the day. If it was flying pests it was always wasps who spoiled the summer’s day picnic (on the rare occasions when the weather was warm enough!). Bees, that still existed in great numbers then, were content with clover on the lawn.
Despite being born in the ‘old country” I came to my senses and have to thank Mrs Thatcher in a way for that. I emigrated to Australia. Before departing on what has become a lifelong romance in more ways than one I thought of buying one of those Cork Hats with the corks dangling down on strings to protect the face against flies.
I didn’t really believe there were that many flies and I thought I’d look a complete Pommy idiot so I never got one. I was in for a rude awakening.
Early days in Sydney had never seemed too bad for flies but in the early 1980’s I went to Melbourne with my girlfriend at the time to see the first day/night cricket match at the MCG between Australia and England, who surprise, surprise lost.
I mention this because I will never forget the number of flies we encountered on our walks in Melbourne where I later went to live in a fairly central apartment. My how the value has rocketed in recent years!
These days I am more than aware of pests in Australia, especially flies. And doubly aware of the need for fly screen doors. How unpleasant it is to keep the main balcony doors shut because of mozzies and flies.
Retractable fly screens from a responsible and experienced company were the answer. Fitting was a breeze and they are so easy to operate.
They are fitted with robust side mechanisms for easy opening and closing and were the perfect final touch to our recently remodelled dining room. The frames are coated adding to durability.
In addition they are easy to keep clean with an occasional gentle scrub to remove city dust. The best part is that they retract into what are called cassettes on the side that house the screen.
We were thus able to blend the whole contraption into our existing decor. The company we went with does all sorts of screens for windows and doors up to 8 metres in width. They handle jobs for houses as well as apartments of course.
It was all done to the highest standards as you would expect from a reputable company with years of experience of doing things right.
Yes, flies and other bugs can be a nuisance but keeping them out and the fresh air coming in has never been easier.
Now, while I’m thinking about it, it’s time to perhaps make one of those Cork Hats.
I’m English at heart – we’re expected to go out in the midday sun and look a bit daft.
