It’s a universal truth: flies are unwelcome guests. They have an uncanny knack for crashing the most enjoyable moments – from outdoor gatherings to peaceful meals. Beyond being a nuisance, flies can also pose health risks, carrying bacteria that can lead to food poisoning and other infections. So, how do you effectively keep flies away from your house? Let’s explore natural and practical strategies to prevent these pests from invading your home.
Natural Ways to Prevent Flies from Entering Your Home
Flies are more than just irritating; they can transmit harmful bacteria, potentially causing illnesses. Therefore, finding effective methods to deter flies is crucial for maintaining a healthy and comfortable home environment. Let’s delve into some natural techniques to ensure flies stay out of your house.
1. Prevention is Key: Stop Flies Before They Enter
Before resorting to repellents or traps, implementing preventative measures is the first and most effective step in controlling flies. These simple yet crucial practices can significantly reduce fly breeding and entry into your home.
- Maintain Cleanliness
Cleanliness is paramount. Flies are attracted to decaying organic matter, so keeping your home and outdoor areas clean is essential. Promptly clean up food spills, especially after meals or outdoor events. Ensure rubbish bags are securely sealed and bins are regularly emptied and cleaned to eliminate potential breeding grounds.
- Optimize Lighting
Lighting can inadvertently attract flies. White bulb lights, in particular, are known to be fly magnets. When spending time outdoors in the evening, consider dimming outdoor lights or switching to yellow-toned bulbs, which are less attractive to flies. Sodium vapor lights are another excellent alternative. Avoid leaving outdoor lights on all night, as this can draw flies and other insects.
Step 1- Start With Prevention (How To Keep Flies Away From Home)
Alt text: Yellow outdoor lighting to deter flies from entering house, a preventative measure for fly control.
2. Natural Fly Repellents: Keeping Flies Away Naturally
Even with diligent preventative measures, flies may still find their way into your home. Fortunately, numerous natural repellents can effectively deter flies. From homemade sprays to strategic placement of herbs and plants, these methods offer eco-friendly solutions to keep your home fly-free.
Effective Natural Sprays to Repel Flies:
- Hydrogen Peroxide Spray
Hydrogen peroxide, a common household item, can act as a surprisingly effective fly repellent. Create a solution by mixing one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray this mixture on surfaces where flies frequently land. This simple spray can work wonders in deterring flies.
- Vodka Fly Repellent
Interestingly, flies and mosquitoes dislike the scent of vodka. Craft a vodka-based repellent by combining one glass of vodka, two teaspoons of aloe vera juice, one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil, and half a teaspoon of essential oil of your choice. Mix these ingredients thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle. This repellent can be sprayed around your home or even lightly applied to your skin (test a small area first to check for skin irritation).
- Mouthwash Spray for Flies
Alcohol-based mouthwash can also serve as a fly deterrent. Fill a spray bottle with mouthwash and spray it around patios, particularly on table and chair legs, and other outdoor surfaces. Flies are repelled by mouthwash, and it leaves a fresh, minty scent.
- Anise Oil Repellent
Anise oil, derived from anise seeds, possesses a strong, sweet aroma that is pleasant to humans but repulsive to flies. Mix a few drops of anise oil with water in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well and spray it around outdoor areas and surfaces to repel flies effectively.
- Essential Oil Blend
Citronella is well-known for its insect-repelling properties, but other essential oils can also contribute to a potent fly repellent blend. Combine 150 ml of witch hazel with 5 drops each of citronella, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils in a spray bottle. Mix thoroughly before spraying this natural bug repellent.
- Lemongrass Oil Spray
Lemongrass oil, with its intense citrus aroma, is another excellent essential oil for repelling flies. Mix 20-25 drops of lemongrass essential oil with half a cup of hot water. This mixture creates an effective fly repellent that also leaves a refreshing citrus scent in your home.
Step 2- Use Natural Sprays That Repel Flies (How To Get Rid Of Flies)
Alt text: Assortment of natural fly repellent sprays, showcasing homemade solutions to keep flies out of house.
Fly-Repelling Herbs for Your Home:
Certain herbs emit scents that flies find highly unpleasant, while being enjoyable or neutral to humans. Planting these herbs strategically around your home can act as a natural barrier against flies.
Consider planting these herbs in pots near doorways to prevent flies from entering, or cultivate them in your garden to enjoy pest-free outdoor spaces. For apartment living or if gardening isn’t feasible, dried basil and mint can also be effective. Place them in small sachets and hang them indoors or outdoors to deter flies.
- Peppermint
Peppermint’s strong, fresh scent is intensely disliked by flies. This herb is easy to grow and requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal addition to your home and garden for natural fly control.
- Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, also known as horsemint, has a distinct citrusy aroma that flies find repellent. It is even easier to grow than peppermint and thrives with minimal care, providing continuous fly protection.
- Citronella Grass
Citronella grass is one of the most potent natural fly repellents. While effective, it is sensitive to cold and needs ample sunlight (around 6 hours daily). Citronella is a primary ingredient in many commercial mosquito and fly repellents.
- Basil
Basil offers a dual benefit: it repels flies and mosquitoes while also being a culinary delight. Its strong, fresh, and slightly sweet scent deters pests, and fresh basil leaves are perfect for cooking.
- Thyme
Thyme is another easy-to-grow herb that effectively repels both flies and mosquitoes. Versatile for cooking and readily available in dried form, thyme is a practical and natural fly deterrent.
- Catnip
Catnip produces an oil known to effectively kill bugs. However, be mindful if you are not a cat owner, as catnip is highly attractive to felines, potentially drawing cats to your property.
- Rosemary
Rosemary is not only a flavorful culinary herb but also a potent fly and bug repellent. It’s easy to grow and resilient to both cold and dry conditions, making it a hardy and effective pest control plant.
- Marigolds
Marigolds are cheerful, brightly colored flowers that bloom in spring and summer and help keep flies away. Their vibrant orange and yellow hues add beauty to your garden while providing natural fly control.
- Lavender
Lavender is renowned for its relaxing fragrance and is widely used in commercial insect repellents. Lavender bushes are robust and can be planted directly in the ground or in pots. Dried lavender flowers in sachets are also effective indoors.
- Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus leaves have a strong, distinctive scent that is disliked by flies. Eucalyptus trees are relatively easy to grow in many climates and provide a natural source of fly repellent.
- Tea Tree
Tea tree leaves are effective at repelling both mosquitoes and flies. Additionally, tea tree oil can provide relief from the itching associated with insect bites, offering a dual benefit.
3. Aromatic Fly Deterrents: Pleasant Smells Flies Hate
Utilizing aromatics that are pleasing to humans but offensive to flies is another effective strategy. These natural scents can create an invisible barrier against flies, making your home less appealing to them.
- Clove and Lemon Repellent
The strong scents of cloves and lemons are intensely disliked by flies, yet are pleasantly aromatic to people. To create this decorative and functional repellent, you will need a lemon and about 6-12 cloves. Cut the lemon in half and insert cloves into each half. These lemon-clove halves can serve as attractive table centerpieces while effectively repelling flies.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Skin Repellent
Create a natural skin repellent using apple cider vinegar. Mix ¼ cup of witch hazel with ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and 30-60 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Combine the witch hazel and apple cider vinegar, shake well, and then add the eucalyptus oil. Apply this mixture to your arms and legs, avoiding ingestion and discontinuing use if skin irritation occurs.
- Citronella Candles
Citronella plants are potent fly repellents, and burning citronella candles releases their fly-deterring scent into the air. Flies are averse to both the citronella scent and the smoke and flames from candles, making citronella candles a double deterrent.
Step 3- Use Fly Aromatics Such As Citronella (How To Keep Flies Away)
Alt text: Burning citronella candle, a fly repellent aromatic method to keep flies out of house during outdoor events.
- Using a Fan to Deter Flies
A simple fan can be surprisingly effective at keeping flies away, especially during outdoor cooking or barbecues. Position a fan near the food preparation or serving area. The moving air from the fan disrupts flies’ flight and makes it difficult for them to land, effectively keeping them away.
4. DIY Natural Fly Traps: Capture and Eliminate Flies
When prevention and repellents aren’t sufficient, natural fly traps can be used to capture and eliminate flies that have already entered your home. These traps are easy to make using common household items.
- Sugar-Water Fly Trap
Construct a simple sugar-water trap using a jar, sugar water, and a paper cone. Pour sugar water into the jar. Create a paper cone and cut a small hole (about 1 cm) at its tip. Place the cone into the jar with the pointed end facing down, ensuring it doesn’t touch the liquid. The sweet scent attracts flies, and they enter the cone but are unable to escape, becoming trapped in the jar.
- Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Fly Trap
Another effective trap uses milk, sugar, and pepper. Combine 250ml of milk, 3 teaspoons of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper in a pan. Heat the mixture gently for 5-10 minutes. Pour the warm mixture into bowls and place them in areas where flies are prevalent. The sweet mixture attracts flies, but the pepper causes them to drown upon landing.
Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Home Fly-Free
These natural remedies provide a range of effective and enjoyable ways to keep flies and mosquitoes away from your home and outdoor spaces. By implementing these preventative measures, repellents, and traps, you can significantly reduce fly infestations and enjoy a more comfortable, pest-free environment. However, if persistent fly problems continue, consider contacting pest control professionals for further assistance and comprehensive solutions.
