How to Get Rid of Flies: Effective Home Remedies

House flies are more than just a buzzing annoyance; they are unhygienic pests that can contaminate your living space and food. These common insects, making up about 90% of flies found in homes, don’t bite, but they carry millions of bacteria on their tiny feet, capable of spreading diseases and causing foodborne illnesses. Finding effective ways to manage and eliminate them is crucial for a healthy home environment.

Fortunately, you don’t need harsh chemicals to tackle a fly problem. There are numerous natural and safe methods to deter and eliminate house flies using items you likely already have at home. For persistent infestations, we’ll also touch on chemical solutions. Let’s explore How To Get Rid Of Flies Home Remedies and keep your house fly-free.

Understanding Why Flies Invade Your Home

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand what attracts house flies in the first place. Entomologist Peter Irenicus highlights three primary reasons for house fly infestations: food sources, breeding sites, and entry points. Addressing these factors is key to long-term fly control.

Food Sources

House flies are strongly attracted to decaying organic matter, which serves as both a food source and a breeding ground. This includes:

Food scraps: Leftover meals, crumbs, and unsealed food items are magnets for flies.
Garbage: Uncovered trash cans, especially those containing food waste, are major attractants.
Excrement: Both human and pet waste are highly attractive to flies.
Decaying organic matter: Compost piles, rotting fruit, and even stagnant water with organic debris can draw flies in.

Poor sanitation practices, such as leaving trash uncovered or neglecting pet waste, create ideal conditions for flies to congregate and lay eggs.

Breeding Sites

Flies seek out moist, decaying organic materials to lay their eggs. Common breeding sites around homes include:

Garbage bins: Especially those that are not cleaned regularly.
Manure: If you live near farms or have pets, manure can be a significant breeding site.
Compost: While composting is eco-friendly, improperly managed compost piles can attract flies.
Rotting vegetation: Piles of grass clippings, fallen leaves, and decaying fruits or vegetables in the garden.

If your home is near a farm, landfill, or other areas with abundant decaying organic matter, you might experience more fly problems.

Entry Points

Flies are adept at finding their way indoors through even small openings. Common entry points include:

Unscreened windows and doors: Open windows and doors without screens are an open invitation.
Cracks and crevices: Gaps in walls, around windows and doors, and in foundations can allow flies to enter.
Damaged screens: Rips or holes in window or door screens provide easy access.
Pet doors: While convenient for pets, they can also be entry points for flies.

Natural Home Remedies: How to Get Rid of Flies Effectively

The good news is that you can effectively manage house flies using natural remedies and household items. These methods are safe, cost-effective, and often readily available. Here are several proven home remedies to get rid of flies:

Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap

This simple trap is incredibly effective at luring and killing flies. The sweet scent of apple cider vinegar attracts flies, while the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, trapping and drowning them.

How to make it:

Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a bowl or jar. About ½ cup of each is usually sufficient.
Add a spoonful of sugar (optional) to further entice the flies with sweetness.
Place the bowl in areas where flies are most prevalent.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/apple-cider-vinegar-dish-soap-fly-trap-7485061-hero-531685a9f02440f2b1f15b352b56737f.jpg)
Alt text: Simple and effective apple cider vinegar and dish soap fly trap in a kitchen setting, showcasing a bowl with the liquid mixture and flies.

Why it works: Flies are drawn to the fermented scent of apple cider vinegar. Once they land on the surface of the mixture, the dish soap prevents them from escaping, causing them to sink and drown. Stale beer or wine can also be used as a substitute for apple cider vinegar, as their aging scents are equally attractive to flies.

Repellent Herbs

Certain herbs naturally repel house flies, making them a pleasant and aromatic way to deter these pests. Planting these herbs around doorways and windows creates a natural barrier.

Effective herbs include:

Basil: Its strong aroma is disliked by flies.
Mint: Peppermint, spearmint, and other mint varieties are effective fly repellents.
Bay Leaf: The scent of bay leaves is known to deter flies and other insects.
Tansy: Tansy has a strong, camphor-like odor that repels flies.
Rue: Rue is another herb with a pungent smell that flies avoid.
Lavender: While pleasant to humans, lavender’s scent is disliked by flies.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/herbs-repelling-flies-basil-mint-bay-leaf-7485065-hero-2431670d8c1241088a5e2a825c57f787.jpg)
Alt text: Collection of fresh repellent herbs like basil, mint, and bay leaf, known for their fly-repelling properties, laid out on a wooden surface.

How to use them:

Plant herbs in pots or garden beds near entryways and windows.
Place small bouquets of fresh herbs indoors near fly-prone areas.
Dry herbs and place them in sachets to hang near windows and doors.

Essential Oils as Fly Repellents

Essential oils derived from fly-repelling plants offer a concentrated and potent way to deter flies. Their strong scents act as natural repellents.

Effective essential oils:

Lavender: Known for its calming scent for humans, but repelling to flies.
Peppermint: Its strong, invigorating aroma is disliked by flies and other insects.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus oil has a strong, medicinal scent that repels flies.
Lemongrass: Citrusy and fresh, lemongrass oil is an effective fly repellent.
Citronella: Well-known for its insect-repelling properties, including flies.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/essential-oil-diffuser-fly-repellent-lavender-peppermint-eucalyptus-7485063-hero-e5a2a532019d4a1b921c94c5499271a8.jpg)
Alt text: An essential oil diffuser releasing scented vapor, using lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils to naturally repel flies indoors.

How to use essential oils:

Use a diffuser: Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to an essential oil diffuser and let it disperse the scent throughout your home.
Make a spray: Mix 10-20 drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray around doorways, windows, and areas where flies congregate. Reapply regularly.
Soaked cotton balls: Place a few drops of essential oil on cotton balls and place them in strategic locations.

Fly Paper and Fly Traps

Fly paper and fly traps are straightforward and effective physical methods for capturing and eliminating house flies.

Fly Paper:

Sticky strips of paper coated with an adhesive attract and trap flies that land on them.
Hang fly paper in areas where flies are common.
Dispose of the paper once it’s full of flies.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/fly-paper-trap-sticky-paper-7485062-hero-a7045127b18f4a1183a600c3ff4827e7.jpg)
Alt text: Close-up of sticky fly paper hanging indoors, effectively trapping house flies on its adhesive surface.

Fly Traps:

Various designs are available, including baited traps and light traps.
Baited traps use a lure (often sugary or fermented) to attract flies into a container they can’t escape.
Light traps use UV light to attract flies, then trap them on a sticky board or electrocute them.

Tips for using fly traps:

Placement is key: Place traps in areas with high fly activity, but out of direct sunlight for light traps.
Light traps should be positioned away from competing light sources and no more than 5 feet from the ground for optimal effectiveness.
Change traps or bait regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

Fly-Repelling Plants

In addition to herbs, certain flowers and plants can also help repel flies when planted around your home.

Fly-repelling plants:

Basil: Already mentioned as an herb, basil plants are also effective.
Marigold: Marigolds emit a scent that deters flies and other insects.
Lavender: Beautiful and fragrant, lavender plants contribute to a fly-free environment.
Venus Flytrap: Carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps can actively catch and digest flies, though they are more of a novelty and less effective for large infestations.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/fly-repelling-plants-basil-marigold-lavender-7485064-hero-60d4480692d44c08b64d8682714b0939.jpg)
Alt text: Potted fly-repelling plants including basil, marigold, and lavender, arranged as natural deterrents against flies around a home exterior.

How to use fly-repelling plants:

Plant them in your garden near patios, doorways, and windows.
Place potted plants indoors near windowsills or fly-prone areas.

Chemical-Based Solutions for Severe Fly Infestations

When natural remedies aren’t enough to control a heavy fly infestation, chemical-based solutions can provide faster results. Entomologist Michel Johnson explains that these products use compounds designed to target and eliminate flies effectively.

Common insecticides:

Pyrethroids: Synthetic versions of natural insecticides from chrysanthemum flowers. They disrupt the fly’s nervous system upon contact, leading to paralysis and death.
Imidacloprid: Often used in bait fly traps, it also targets the nervous system of flies, resulting in mortality.

Types of chemical solutions:

Insecticide sprays: Provide immediate knockdown but may require repeated application.
Bait traps: Attract flies with a lure containing insecticide, which they ingest and die.
Foggers (bug bombs): Release insecticide into the air to kill flies on contact, but require careful preparation and evacuation of the home.

Caution: Chemical insecticides should be used with caution, following label instructions carefully. Ensure proper ventilation and keep products out of reach of children and pets.

Professional Pest Control

For severe or persistent fly problems, especially if you can’t identify the breeding source, professional pest control services are a valuable option.

What pest control professionals do:

Thorough Inspection: Experts identify fly species, assess the extent of the infestation, and locate breeding sites, which may be hidden or overlooked by homeowners.
Customized Treatment Plan: Based on their findings, they develop a targeted plan, which may include a combination of methods like insecticide applications, baiting systems, and source reduction strategies.
Specialized Tools and Knowledge: Professionals have access to stronger insecticides and specialized equipment, along with the expertise to apply them safely and effectively.
Preventative Advice: They can offer recommendations to prevent future infestations.

In extreme cases, fumigation might be recommended. While effective, it is a more intensive process requiring vacating the premises.

Preventing House Flies: The Best Long-Term Solution

Prevention is always the most effective strategy for managing pests. By making your home less attractive to flies and denying them entry, you can significantly reduce fly problems.

Maintain Cleanliness

Clean up food waste and crumbs promptly.
Store food in airtight containers.
Use trash cans with liners and tight-fitting lids.
Empty garbage and recycling bins frequently.
Clean pet food bowls and litter boxes regularly.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/cleaning-up-trash-prevent-flies-garbage-cans-lids-7485066-hero-8b2a8941899c4d06b129c5017c8302c1.jpg)
Alt text: Person securing a trash bag inside a garbage can with a lid, emphasizing the importance of proper waste disposal to prevent fly attraction.

Eliminate Breeding Grounds

Pick up pet waste in the yard daily.
Keep outdoor garbage cans clean and covered.
Manage compost piles properly: Turn them regularly and ensure they are not overly moist.
Remove grass clippings and fallen leaves promptly.
Eliminate stagnant water: Empty containers, bird baths, and gutters regularly to prevent mosquito and fly breeding.

Control Lighting

Minimize outdoor lights at night, as they attract flies and other insects.
Use yellow “bug lights” which are less attractive to insects than standard white lights.
Close curtains or blinds at night to reduce light spill from inside.
Repair or replace damaged window and door screens.
Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and foundations using caulk or weatherstripping.
Ensure windows are properly closed, especially at night.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/sealing-entry-points-prevent-flies-cracks-crevices-7485067-hero-1c337d6a92c8461eb6f0b13f658a49a9.jpg)
Alt text: Close-up of a hand applying caulk to seal a crack around a window frame, illustrating how to block fly entry points in a home.

Frequently Asked Questions About House Flies

What do house flies look like?

House flies (Musca domestica) are common insects with gray or black bodies, large reddish-brown compound eyes, and two transparent wings. They are typically 0.2 to 0.3 inches long and have slightly hairy bodies. Females are generally larger than males.

What are signs of a house fly infestation?

Seeing a large number of house flies is the most obvious sign. You might also find fly eggs, which are laid in clusters of about 100 on food waste, rotting meat, or feces. These eggs hatch quickly (within 12-24 hours) into white, legless larvae called maggots, which then develop into pupae and finally into adult flies. House flies have a relatively short lifespan of 2-4 weeks but reproduce rapidly.

What instantly kills flies?

Chemical-based insecticides, especially pyrethroid sprays, can kill flies instantly upon direct contact. However, while effective for immediate relief, these sprays don’t prevent flies from returning if the underlying attractants and breeding sites are not addressed. Natural methods and preventative measures are crucial for long-term fly control.

By understanding why flies are attracted to your home and implementing these home remedies and preventative measures, you can effectively get rid of flies and enjoy a more hygienic and comfortable living environment.