Pesky flies can start to invade your home and outdoor space. Flies are not only annoying, but they can also spread disease, so it’s important to take steps to get rid of them.
In this article, we’ll discuss some home remedies for doing so. From fly traps to homemade repellents, there are several natural methods you can use to keep flies away.
Here’s how to get rid of flies naturally:
1. Cayenne Pepper Spray
A great home remedy to get rid of flies is cayenne pepper spray. For the recipe, mix one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder with a cup of water.
Use this to spray around the house, on surfaces, doors, and near food. The solution will naturally deter flies, as they don’t like the strong, spicy smell.
3. Clean Up
One of the best ways to keep flies out of the house is to keep everything clean.
Flies will settle on any scrap of food or waste, especially rotting fruits and meat, so cleaning up food-contact surfaces is vital. Therefore, regularly clean and sanitize where you prepare food or eat.
Cleaning the porch area, patio, floors, sinks, and outdoor surfaces is essential as well.
3. Sticky Traps
An inexpensive way to eliminate flies is to hang sticky traps around the house. You can buy these traps in most garden shops or online.
Homemade ones will also work well using a sticky substance and pieces of cardboard or thick paper. Blue seems to be the most useful color to attract these pests [1].
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
There are two easy methods to trap flies using apple cider vinegar (ACV). Fruit flies are especially attracted to these traps.
To get rid of flies in the house with apple cider vinegar, pour some into a jam jar or bottle. Next, cover the container with a clear plastic sheet or film.
Afterward, use rubber bands to keep the plastic in place and poke holes in the top just big enough for flies to enter. The pests will be lured into the jars and be unable to escape.
Alternatively, pour about a cup of cider vinegar into a shallow bowl and add a little dish soap.
The ACV will attract the critters, and as they land on the surface, the soap will break the vinegar’s surface tension. This means that the flies will sink quickly into the solution and drown.
5. Throw Out Overripe and Rotting Produce
The warmth of the summer months often allows fruits and other foods to spoil quickly and attract flies by the dozen. Therefore, discard overripe and rotting produce.
6. Stale Beer
Pour some stale beer into a narrow-neck bottle to make a DIY fly trap. Once they get in, the narrow neck of the bottle makes it difficult for them to exit, and they will drown.
Beer cans with some residue can work in this way too, as can a trap made with half a cup of stale beer in a closed mason jar.
Hammer some holes in the metal lid and screw it up tightly. Finally, clean out the drowned flies to repeat the process. This method also works great against fruit flies.
7. Plants That Repel Flies
Growing certain plants is a pleasant way of repelling and eliminating some pesky insects, including flies.
- Marigolds are used as a traditional deterrent against certain insect pests, including flies.
- Nasturtiums, too, are colorful plants used to keep away flies.
- Basil is a popular herb choice with gardeners for this purpose as well.
- Bay laurel works great and is useful in the kitchen too.
- Citronella is used in many forms to deter flies.
- Catnip is a pest-repellent herb, although it may attract unwanted cats too. It’s also highly effective against mosquitoes and flies.
- Wormwood has components that can repel certain insect pests, including these ones. Moreover, you can also use it to repel rabbits.
Other plants flies hate include lavender, pennyroyal, sage, rosemary, mint, Venus flytrap, tansy, garlic, and Petunias.
8. Guard ‘N Spray
This is a commercial organic product formulated from botanical oils and other ingredients to kill and repel many insect pests, including the common housefly.
Guard ‘N Spray is also effective against powdery and downy mildews. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply.
9. Garlic Spray
To make a natural fly repellent, mince or puree two bulbs of garlic in half a cup of water.
Next, pour a pint of boiling water over it and let it steep overnight. Remove the solid pieces and use the solution as a spray.
You can also add a tablespoon of liquid soap to your garlic insect repellent to make it more powerful.
10. Essential Oils
An effective way to keep flies away is to use heavily scented essential oils. Scents that repel flies include lavender, cinnamon, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass.
To make a homemade fly spray using essential oils, mix about 10 drops of each oil with 8 oz. of water. Shake well and use it to spray surfaces, windows, and doorways.
11. Fly Swatter
Swatting flies is easy with almost any flat utensil. However, an electric fly swatter may be more effective.
Passing the racket through the air will trap and kill the flies and other fast-moving flying insects.
12. Empty and Clean Garbage Cans
Flies congregate near garbage cans and also lay their eggs inside them. Therefore, keep the trash bins clean by washing them with soap and water.
Also, put all trash in bags and remove or replace it regularly to prevent attracting flies and bugs. You can also sprinkle some baking soda inside them to absorb odors.
13. Clean Up After Pets
Pets are likely to attract flies too. So, it’s wise to clean up around them. Empty litter trays often and wash bedding.
Additionally, flies will lay eggs on any poop, so it is essential to keep pets clean and remove any feces around the property.
14. Clean Drains
Drains are another breeding ground for flies, so regularly clean drainage pipes and other plumbing outlets.
Pour boiling water or baking soda and vinegar down the drain as well. Flushing out the drain will also remove fly larvae.
15. Essentria IC-3
This is another organic commercial product that provides instant knockdown and long-term protection against flies and many other flying and crawling insects on the farm.
Essentria IC-3 is also safe to use in preparation areas.
16. balEnce Fly Spray
This product is a liquid suspension of Beauveria bassiana. Flies will be parasitized by Beauveria bassiana spores, become infected, and die.
balEnce will also leave a residue to control future infestations.
17. Seal the House
Make a tour of the house and seal up any crevices and cracks in the walls and around doors and windows.
Also, replace or repair slates and gaps on the roof, and, if possible, protect the property from flies by putting in fly screens.
18. Light Trap
These are boxes with a light attached to the back. The light will attract the flies, after which they’ll meet their end very quickly.
When the critters get inside the box, they will be electrocuted or get stuck to a glue board, depending on the type you purchased.
Light traps are highly recommended to catch flies and other flying insects indoors. Use it to get rid of house flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and more.
19. Bottle Trap
Using an empty, open plastic bottle, smear the opening with honey, syrup, fruit, or anything sweet.
Next, punch holes in the top and thread a piece of wire through the holes. Hang wherever needed. The critters will smell the bait and fly into the bottle, where it will be difficult for them to get out.
Takeaway
Flies are not only a nuisance, but some can also spread bacteria [2]. These natural methods can help control them safely.
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