Flies buzzing around your outdoor living space can quickly turn a relaxing patio into an irritating zone. Not only are these pests annoying, but they can also pose health risks by contaminating food and spreading germs. If you’re tired of swatting away flies every time you step onto your patio, you’re in the right place. This guide will explore various effective strategies, from simple cleaning habits to natural repellents, to help you reclaim your patio and enjoy a fly-free outdoor experience.
Simple Steps to Deter Patio Flies
Before resorting to traps or repellents, implementing good patio hygiene is the first line of defense against flies. These insects are attracted to filth and decaying matter, so keeping your patio clean is crucial.
Keep Food and Drinks Covered
Just like humans, flies are drawn to food, especially sweet and savory aromas. Uncovered food and drinks are an open invitation for flies to gather on your patio. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or simply enjoying a meal outdoors, make sure to keep food platters and drink glasses covered.
Using mesh food screens is an easy and effective way to protect your food from flies. These inexpensive covers are readily available at party supply stores and supermarkets. Alternatively, you can get creative and make your own food covers if you enjoy DIY projects.
Promptly Clean Up Pet Waste
Pet droppings are a major attractant for flies. The strong odors emanating from animal feces lure flies to your yard and patio area. If you have pets, especially dogs, make it a daily routine to clean up after them.
Use disposable plastic bags to collect pet waste and seal them tightly before discarding them in a closed garbage bin. Regular and prompt cleanup will significantly reduce the fly population around your patio.
Secure Trash and Compost Bins
Garbage cans and compost bins, especially those containing food scraps, are breeding grounds for flies. Rotting food emits strong odors that attract flies from considerable distances. To minimize fly attraction, ensure your trash and compost bins are tightly covered at all times.
Regularly empty your trash cans and move them away from your patio area if possible. For compost bins, using a closed composter system is recommended as it not only contains odors but also helps to keep insects away while efficiently recycling organic waste. If you maintain an open compost pile, cover fresh food scraps with a layer of dry materials like leaves or straw to deter flies from accessing the decaying matter.
Effective Fly Control Methods
When basic hygiene isn’t enough, you can employ more direct methods to control and eliminate flies on your patio.
Utilize Fly Baits and Traps
For a more proactive approach to fly removal, fly baits and traps can be highly effective. These tools are designed to lure and capture flies, reducing their population significantly.
One natural repellent that can work in conjunction with traps is pine oil cleaner. Flies are known to dislike the smell of pine, so cleaning your patio surfaces with pine oil cleaner can deter them from lingering.
For physical traps, sticky fly traps are a simple and non-toxic option. These traps use a sticky surface to capture flies that land on them. Fly baits, on the other hand, often contain attractants that lure flies to ingest a poisonous substance. Place traps strategically around your patio, away from dining areas but in areas where flies are frequently seen.
Eliminate Standing Water
Flies, like mosquitoes, need standing water to breed. Female flies lay their eggs near or in stagnant water sources. By eliminating standing water around your property, you can break the fly life cycle and reduce their numbers.
After rain, inspect your patio and yard for any containers holding water. Empty buckets, flower pot saucers, birdbaths, and children’s toys that may have collected rainwater. Check for clogged gutters or areas in your yard where water might be pooling. Addressing these water sources will deprive flies of breeding grounds.
Natural Fly Repellents for Your Patio
For those seeking eco-friendly and aromatic solutions, nature offers several plants and scents that flies dislike.
Plant Fly-Repelling Herbs
Enhance your patio décor and ward off flies simultaneously by incorporating fly-repelling plants. Certain herbs and plants emit fragrances that are unpleasant to flies, effectively deterring them from your patio area.
Excellent choices include:
- Basil: A fragrant herb that’s also great for cooking.
- Bay Laurel: Its leaves release a scent that repels flies and other insects.
- Mint: Various mint varieties, like peppermint and spearmint, are known fly repellents.
- Lavender: Beloved for its soothing scent by humans, but disliked by flies.
- Citronella Grass: Famous for its mosquito-repelling properties, it also deters flies.
- Wormwood, Tansy, Rue: These are more potent herbs best suited for planting in garden beds near your patio.
Potted herbs can be placed directly on your patio, while others can be planted in surrounding garden beds to create a fly-free zone.
Create Natural Clove Pomanders
Cloves possess a strong aroma that flies find repulsive. You can harness this natural fly repellent by making clove pomanders. This simple DIY method involves inserting whole cloves into fruits like oranges or apples.
To create a pomander, take an orange or apple and press the sharp end of whole cloves into the skin, covering as much surface area as possible. Place these clove-studded fruits around your patio furniture and areas where flies are problematic. The scent of cloves will naturally deter flies, offering a pleasant and natural solution.
Additional Tips for a Fly-Free Patio
Beyond the above methods, a few more adjustments can further minimize fly presence on your patio.
Switch to Yellow Light Bulbs
Flies are strongly attracted to ultraviolet (UV) light. Many standard light bulbs emit some level of UV light, drawing flies to your patio, especially at night. Electric bug zappers often utilize UV light to attract and eliminate insects.
To reduce fly attraction to your patio lights, switch to soft yellow light bulbs. Yellow bulbs emit very little UV light, making them significantly less attractive to flies and other nocturnal insects.
Use Citronella Candles and Incense
Citronella oil is a well-known and effective natural insect repellent, including for flies. Burning citronella candles or incense on your patio releases citronella vapors into the air, creating a zone that flies tend to avoid.
Citronella products not only repel flies but also add a pleasant lemony fragrance to your outdoor space, enhancing the ambiance for you and your guests.
Try a Vinegar Trap for Fruit Flies
If fruit flies are the primary nuisance on your patio, a simple vinegar trap can be very effective. Fruit flies are particularly attracted to the sweet, fermented scent of vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar.
To make a vinegar trap, pour some apple cider vinegar into a cup or jar and add a few drops of dish soap. The soap reduces the surface tension of the vinegar, trapping fruit flies that come to investigate. Place the vinegar trap on your patio to lure and capture fruit flies, preventing them from bothering you.
Consider Patio Enclosures
For the ultimate solution to keep flies and other pests out, consider enclosing your patio. Patio enclosures, like screens or retractable walls, create a physical barrier that prevents flies and other insects from entering your outdoor living space.
While other methods focus on repelling or trapping flies, an enclosure provides a permanent and comprehensive solution, allowing you to enjoy your patio completely free from buzzing pests.
By implementing these strategies, from simple sanitation to natural repellents and physical barriers, you can effectively manage and eliminate flies on your patio, creating a more enjoyable and hygienic outdoor living area.
