You catch more flies with vinegar

pest control edition

Many of the “truisms” that we use are actually reversals. The original sentiment of the truism has been reversed. On Disaffected, I’ve pointed out that it strikes me as a narcissistic reversal, a manipulation to hide the truth so that the greedy and selfish convince us to do as they wish.

One potential example is the modern proverb “blood is thicker than water.” The origin of the phrase is debated, but many make the case that it’s a reversal of the original proverb, “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”

If this is true, it would mean that the modern meaning—that family ties are stronger than chosen friendship ties—is a reversal of the original meaning. You can decide what you think.

Another one that I am convinced is, actually, a reversal of meaning, is “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” This is used by people who want to shush loudmouths. It is pulled out by people who do not like plainspoken confrontation, and who are looking for a (style) excuse to ignore the (substantive) message.


And it’s not true in the physical world of flies, honey, and vinegar. I refute it thus:

This is a fruit fly trap I made last night. The insects that get into the house come and go seasonally. In spring I need sugar-and-borax ant traps (Terro brand is recommended over any other), because ants do like sugar.


In late summer, I need vinegar traps for the fruit flies.

Making one is easy. Take a small jar and add vinegar. The stinkier the better. This is apple cider vinegar, which is what I had on hand. Red wine vinegar and others work well, as does wine.

Take a steak knife and a hammer. Tap small holes into the lid. The fruit flies are too dumb to crawl back out after they get in. They enter and drown themselves in the vinegar. There are about 15 in my trap right now.