Why People Are Hanging Up Pennies in Bags of Water
It may be worth trying if you're looking for a chemical-free way to manage flies.
Published Aug. 5 2024, 3:12 p.m. ET
Finding a penny, especially one in the "heads up" position, is supposed to be good luck. According to an old wives tale, it could be something else, too: the perfect chemical-free pest control option.
Some folks swear by hanging a plastic bag filled with water and pennies around the home when they're dealing with flies or mosquitoes. But, does this popular DIY pest control solution work?
Continue reading as I fact-check the penny water fly deterrent idea and explain why you may want to try it for yourself no matter what the facts show.
Why do people hang pennies in a bag of water?
The old 'pennies in a bag' trick is reportedly very popular in the U.S. South, where many people deal with bugs year-round and need to come up with creative solutions to keep them out of their homes and off of their porches when the weather is nice enough to gather. While there are tons of pest control options, folks looking to avoid chemicals, save money, or use more natural methods keep turning to this timeless idea.
According to Taste of Home, all you need is a few coins to try this alleged pest control hack. Pennies are the most popular choice but you can also use crumpled up bits of aluminum foil and a plastic bag filled with water to banish these bugs for good.
Does a bag of water with pennies prevent flies and mosquitoes?
When it comes to just how effective this process is, well ... the jury is still out. According to a 2009 Snopes report, experts have yet to come up with solid answers about this method. Not only have scientists been able to confirm that it works in more than just an anecdotal manner, but they can't seem to figure out why it may work for those who swear by using pennies in a bag.
It doesn't help that the internet is full of clickbait articles that say homeowners "swear by this one trick to keep flies out of the house" and social media posts from people who say they're absolutely blown away by how effective this method is, further obscuring facts from reality.
In the Snopes story, researchers cite several different ideas as to why this method might be effective, including how the bags may appear to look like a large body of water that the flies then try to avoid, the idea that the water causes the flies to see themselves reflected in a magnified form, which chases them away. Lastly, there is the plausible-sounding theory that the sunlight gets refracted in the water, confusing the flies who turn the other way after getting disoriented.
That said, if you're struggling with flies and want to find a way to try and keep them at bay without whipping out any harsh chemicals or macabre tools like a fly zapper, you may want to try your luck with these bags. After all, other than the time it takes to put them together, you have nothing to lose by creating one of these deterrents. Who knows, you may end up being one of the lucky ones who swear by this method!
