Why do flies like my laptop??

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #1 20-04-2020, 10:33 AM

This is a slightly odd question, and wondering if anyone else has noticed this. I have a MSI 17" gaming laptop that I use as my main imaging and processing computer. I have notice that whenever I am using it, there always seem to be at least 3 flies buzzing around, often more, and they like to congregate along the top of the screen. I regularly have to clean fly dirt off the bezel around the screen. Interestingly, it only occurs indoors, never when I have my laptop outdoors and only on this laptop. Anyone else have this issue?

I have considered a number of possible causes, they are attracted to a frequency "hum" similar to that which causes ants to congregate in power points, and that hum may be more prominent at the top of the screen if that is where the poser is?Or they may be attracted to the polarised light of the screen? Or is it a heat thing?

Malcolm

JA · #2 20-04-2020, 02:24 PM

Hello M,

It seems you tick 2 of the major boxes: heat & light, per....
https://www.jcehrlich.com/flies/what-attracts-flies/

As to why it doesn't occur with your other laptops or outside, could possibly also be related to heat given off by screen or the electronics. Does one laptop run noticeably warmer than the other? Also on the laptop that attracts the flies, what happens when you 1) immediately power off and 2) after some time off when the laptop has cooled to ambient?

Or else perhaps something biological, from their previous visits. Perhaps carefully try an alcohol/metho swab of the laptop surfaces.

Best
JA