You probably think that the presence of a lot of flies around your house is something you cannot avoid. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are easy and simple things that can be done to get rid of flies in your home.
These methods are practical and cost-free so you can deter flies in the house. From doing something simple as cleaning the areas where flies have their breeding sites to using more intensive methods to eliminate them for good.
Get Rid of What Attracts Them
If you wish to eradicate the flies inside your house, just like with other pests, the very first thing you have to do is minimize or remove the things they find attractive. Topping this list is none other than food.
Never leave out any food, particularly uncovered food because this attracts flies. Aside from this, you also have to ensure that your countertops are clean and free of crumbs. Always wash the dishes right after meals instead of letting them stay in the open sink. Always close the dishwasher door when it is not in use.
However, aside from food, you will also want to keep an eye out on pet food, garbage, and compost. Flies are also attracted to these things and they can quickly turn into breeding grounds. To ensure that a few flies will not turn into a hideous colony, put the compost materials outdoors right away.
Always cover the garbage and take it outside regularly. Lastly, clean or cover your pet’s feeding bowls properly between each meal. This is especially if you are feeding them with wet food.
Keep Your Rooms Dark
Flies have a natural tendency to get attracted to light. What you consider a relaxing or romantic shadowy atmosphere doesn’t benefit them at all. So, if you will sit down for a chat with friends or a quiet supper, you might want to dim your bulbs first.
An added benefit here is that you can also save electricity with the lower wattage and at the same time, you shun away those unwelcomed insect guests.
Do the Trick with Plastic Water Bags
It is a very smart trick for repelling the annoying flies. Hang water-filled bags outside open doors and windows to deter flies. How does this work? Well, it is on how flies see the bags. Since flies have a remarkable number of lenses in both eyes, they have the ability to detect movement and patterns of light.
A water-filled bag will reflect light around the place which will confuse them can make them stay away. This fly control trick is also very easy and simple to make. You just need to prepare a big plastic bag, a ziplock if possible. Fill the bag with 2/3 of water then tie the top with a string firmly. Ensure that is tight and won’t slip off. Hang this bag outside openings around the house like open windows or doors.
Make Your Own Fly Repellents
Buy some essential oils that flies find unappealing such as lavender, lemongrass, basil, lemongrass, and mint. You can use these to prepare a homemade fly repellent spray.
To do it, just fill water in a spray bottle then add enough amount of essential oil for fragrance. Spray the mixture around your kitchen as well as around the doorways so that the flies will keep out of your home. Obviously, you will have to re-spray on a regular basis to maintain its effect.
See to it that you also label the fly repellent to ensure that other members of the family know what it really is. You also have to store the spray out of reach of your kids and pets.
Go DIY with Your Fly Traps
Although there are times when the most effective means to eliminate flies around your house is to enlist the help of pest control methods, you can also go down the DIY route. A homemade fly trap is a cost-effective and simple way to combat the pesky flies even though their effectiveness may vary at times. There are two types of traps that you can prepare using common items around the house.
The first one is a soda bottle trap. Clean plastic and empty soda bottle of two-litre size. Cut off the top third of the soda bottle. This cut can be made close to where the bottle’s top used to be. You can pour sweet liquid such as sugar water in the bigger bottom third part of the soda bottle.
Turn the bottle’s top third upside down to form a cone shape. Put this in the opening of the bigger portion of the bottle. The flies will be able to enter the bottle but they won’t be able to get out.
The second fly trap is using dish soap and vinegar. Fill a shallow dish bowl with one tablespoon of sugar and one inch of apple cider vinegar. Add dish soap with fruit scent. You can leave this dish firmly covered in plastic wrap or you can also leave it uncovered. Don’t forget to poke some holes in the plastic wrap to attract flies.
Solve Your Fly Problem with Essential Oil
Even though lavender oil is considered as the most effective, there are other types like peppermint, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, lemongrass, and citronella oil that can repel flies once combined with alcohol or water. Mix one part of any of these oils with three parts water or alcohol in a bowl. Next, dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture.
Put the sponge or cloth in a container then cover this with a lid. Leave this for 24 hours. Take out the lid and put the container in an area infested by adult flies or in places where they lay eggs. Soak the cloth again when needed. Seal then store if not in use. You might want to try lavender oil prior to trying these.
Repel Flies with Garden Plants
Flies never like some plants. For instance, mint is an herb that repels flies and this can come in handy around your home for cooking purposes. You may want to buy a pot of mint if you are dealing with a fly problem.
If you put this next to a window or door, it will reduce the chance that flies are going to enter there. The use of mint around your kitchen also helps in keeping flies away from areas that you don’t wish to be infested, similar to the kitchen worktop used for handling meat and cutting up vegetables.
You can also organically control flies using a fly eating and carnivorous plants like sundew, bladderwort, Venus fly trap, or any pitcher plant variety. The carnivorous plants trap, feed, and kill flies, mites as well as other insects.
They also produce food through photosynthesis process. You can place the plant close to food scraps where gnats and flies have infested. You can also put the fly killer plants on windowsills where the insects pass by when seeking a way out.
Seal Off Entrance Points
This tip may sound obvious but if you wish to keep flies away from your home, make sure you don’t give them a place to let themselves in. However, a busy home with pets, kids, and visitors always coming and going, it could be easier said than done. But, try to do whatever you can for home improvement.
Install screens on doors and windows. Repair damaged mesh where flies can make an entrance. You don’t need to make that much effort here.
Dealing with Fly Infestation
There may be instances when you simply fail to keep flies outside your house, and worse, you may even face the issue of dealing with a major fly infestation. Don’t worry, though. All it takes is to systematically get rid of these tiny insects.
If you have an infestation in your hands, clean your home thoroughly. Wash and vacuum every surface with disinfectant wipes or spray to remove fly eggs and ensure that you also clean at the back of furniture pieces and other areas that are not accessible. These are the places where flies love to hide.
If you are lucky, these tips will all let you enjoy living in a fly free home!
