Dealing with flies buzzing around your outdoor spaces can be more than just a nuisance. These pests, often houseflies and blow flies, are known as “filth flies” for a reason. They carry germs and can quickly turn a pleasant patio into an irritating zone. While swatting a few flies is manageable, a full-blown infestation requires a strategic approach. We consulted with experts to provide you with effective methods on how to get rid of flies outside your home and reclaim your outdoor enjoyment.
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Recognizing the Signs of a Fly Infestation
Before you can effectively control flies outside, it’s important to identify if you’re dealing with a minor annoyance or a full infestation. A few flies are normal, but these signs indicate a more significant problem:
The Appearance of Fly Larvae
Fly larvae, commonly known as maggots, are a definitive sign of infestation. You might find these small, white, worm-like creatures in your trash cans or around decaying organic matter such as pet waste or deceased animals. Even if you don’t see the larvae directly, noticing movement within your trash bin when you open it could indicate their presence. In advanced stages, you might even witness masses of larvae migrating across surfaces like driveways or patios as they progress through their life cycle.
Increased Presence of Scavenging Hornets and Wasps
An increase in scavenging insects like yellow jackets or paper wasps can also signal a fly problem. According to Karim Gharbi, an entomologist and horticulturist at Colorado State University Extension, these hornets are attracted to the same food sources as flies. “Rotting meat in your garbage will attract flies, and it will also attract yellow jackets looking for a meal,” Gharbi explains. These hornets may also prey on fly larvae if they are abundant enough.
Swarms of Adult Flies
The emergence of numerous adult flies is the most obvious sign. Depending on weather conditions, young adult flies will appear days or weeks after the larval stage. This is when you’ll notice them buzzing around your yard in large numbers, actively seeking food and mates for reproduction, leading to a continuous cycle of infestation.
Fly Specks Around Waste Areas and Outdoor Furniture
Even without seeing live flies, their telltale signs are often visible. Look for clusters of small black spots, which are fly droppings, especially around trash bins or on light-colored patio furniture. These spots are a clear indicator of fly activity and potential breeding grounds nearby.
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Understanding What Attracts Flies to Your Yard
To effectively implement fly control outside, it’s crucial to understand what attracts them in the first place. Dana Nayduch, a research leader at the USDA specializing in arthropod-borne animal diseases, emphasizes the fly’s primary goal: “Their goal in life is to make a lot more flies.”
Female flies are driven by the need to find food, mates, and suitable places to lay eggs. They seek environments rich in protein for sustenance and bacteria-laden materials for their offspring. These ideal conditions can be found in various sources around your property, such as meat scraps in garbage cans, unharvested vegetable gardens, pet feces, or even deceased animals. Karim Gharbi describes these locations as the perfect fly habitat: “It’s a nursery, a buffet, and also a wedding venue, all at the same time.”
A single female fly can lay up to 500 eggs in just a few days, quickly leading to a significant infestation. Therefore, identifying and eliminating food and breeding sources in your yard is the most effective preventative measure. However, if the problem originates from a neighboring property or you need immediate relief, additional control methods are necessary.
Effective Methods for Outdoor Fly Control
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Experts recommend a combination of strategies to manage filth flies in your outdoor areas effectively.
Utilizing Fly Traps
Fly traps are a highly recommended and cost-effective solution for outdoor fly control. Edwin Burgess, an entomologist at the University of Florida, highlights their effectiveness in luring flies and preventing escape. These traps, available at hardware stores or online, can be filled with attractants like chicken bones or come pre-loaded with organic compounds such as putrescine and cadaverine. These compounds emit strong, foul odors that are irresistible to flies. Placing traps strategically away from your immediate patio or deck area can significantly reduce fly populations in your desired outdoor spaces.
Employing Fly Tape
Fly tape is another practical option, particularly useful in semi-enclosed outdoor areas like garages or near chicken coops. Discreetly placing strips in corners or near downspouts can effectively capture flies without being too intrusive. Burgess explains the mechanism: “Flies naturally seek perching spots, especially dangling objects, to rest. Fly tape is designed to exploit this behavior, attracting and trapping flies efficiently.”
Encouraging Natural Predators: Spiders
Consider spiders as beneficial allies in your fly control efforts. Resist the urge to eliminate these arachnids, as they are significant predators of flies and other insects. Research indicates that spiders globally consume hundreds of millions of tons of insects annually, playing a crucial role in natural pest control. While it’s acceptable to remove spiderwebs around your immediate seating areas if no spiders are present, generally allowing spiders to thrive in your yard contributes to long-term fly management.
Introducing Parasitic Wasps
Parasitoid wasps offer a biological control method. These tiny, ant-sized insects are harmless to humans but are lethal to flies. Adult wasps feed on pollen and nectar and do not sting or nest aggressively. Their primary function in fly control is targeting fly pupae. Female parasitoid wasps lay their eggs inside fly pupae, providing a food source for their offspring. This process disrupts the fly life cycle and naturally reduces fly populations. Parasitoid wasps are a sustainable solution, as they tend to remain in the area and continue to control flies over time. They can be purchased online; search for “parasitoid wasps for filth fly extermination”.
Using Scent-Based Repellents
Essential oils can act as fly repellents, although Edwin Burgess notes they might be a more expensive approach. The strong odors of these oils can deter flies, but consider the potential impact on your own outdoor experience. “Having pungent odors around while trying to relax or dine on your deck might be off-putting for some,” Burgess points out. If you choose this method, select scents known to repel flies and use them judiciously.
Burning Citronella Candles
Citronella candles are often suggested for fly deterrence. While they can offer some benefit, Burgess suggests their effectiveness is limited compared to mosquito control. “Mosquitoes are significantly repelled by the smoke and odors from citronella,” he says. “Flies are less affected by the small amount of smoke produced by these candles.” Citronella candles may provide marginal relief but are not a primary solution for controlling flies outside.
Eliminating Fly Food Sources
The most impactful long-term strategy is to eliminate what attracts flies in the first place. Dana Nayduch emphasizes, “Flies are a nuisance because they’re seeking food and breeding habitats. If you’re providing appealing smells, they will follow their noses.”
Regularly cleaning and rinsing out trash cans to remove residue is essential. Pouring the rinse water onto pavement to dry in the sun or onto soil allows beneficial microbes to break down organic matter, reducing fly attractants. Promptly cleaning up pet waste in your yard is crucial, especially for preventing blow flies. If a dead animal is discovered on or near your property, consider professional removal to eliminate a major breeding source.
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Ineffective Fly Control Methods to Avoid
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Many common fly control methods are surprisingly ineffective and not recommended by experts.
Relying on Fans
While it might seem logical to blow flies away with fans, this provides minimal relief. “Flies are strong fliers,” explains Burgess. “They can withstand windy conditions that many other flying insects cannot.” Fans might temporarily displace flies, but they will quickly return.
Attracting Birds
The idea of attracting birds to control flies is also largely ineffective. Burgess clarifies, “Many birds are not as insectivorous as people assume. Their diets are omnivorous, consisting mainly of seeds, fruits, and plant shoots. Insects are not their primary food source.” Therefore, relying on birds for significant fly control is unrealistic.
Using Bats
While bats are excellent for mosquito control, they are not effective against flies. “Bats are nocturnal feeders,” Burgess notes. “House flies and filth flies are not active at night when bats are feeding.” Bats and flies have different activity periods, making bats irrelevant for daytime fly control.
Employing Bug Zappers
Bug zappers, which use UV light to attract and electrocute insects, are also discouraged. Karim Gharbi points out their indiscriminate nature: “Bug zappers kill butterflies and moths—virtually any flying insect attracted to light.” Given the global decline in insect populations, targeting beneficial insects alongside pests is detrimental. Gharbi advocates for selective methods like fly traps that specifically target flies using attractants.
Hanging Vodka-Filled Bags
The myth that vodka-filled bags repel flies is unfounded. Burgess dismisses this method as an “old wives’ tale” that has been scientifically debunked. Worse, vodka might even attract fruit flies. This method offers no fly control benefits and should be avoided.
Waiting for Cold Weather
Hoping for winter to solve a fly problem is also misguided. Dana Nayduch explains that flies overwinter as larvae or pupae in sheltered locations. When spring arrives, these dormant stages become active, restarting the fly life cycle. Cold weather will not eliminate an existing fly infestation permanently.
When Professional Fly Control is Needed
Experts advise contacting pest control professionals only after exhausting other methods for outdoor fly control. Karim Gharbi recommends getting a second opinion before committing to professional services, as some companies may suggest treatments that don’t address the root cause. “Spraying chemicals without addressing the source of the problem will lead to recurring infestations, benefiting the pest control company more than you,” Gharbi cautions.
Besides the potential environmental and health risks of chemical treatments, many insecticides are not approved for outdoor use. Furthermore, surviving flies can develop resistance to chemicals, leading to more resilient fly populations. Edwin Burgess warns, “You risk accelerating the development of insecticide resistance.”
Even with diligent efforts, some flies are inevitable in outdoor settings. Dana Nayduch acknowledges, “Houseflies are cosmopolitan and will go where they need to for food and reproduction. They can travel long distances if necessary.” For outdoor dining, use food covers or screened enclosures to protect your meals from flies and enjoy your outdoor spaces more comfortably.
