How to Get Rid of Flies Inside & Outside Your Home

Elevate Design
Jul 22, 2023
3 min read

Figuring out how to eliminate house flies can be a challenging task. These pesky insects can spread food poisoning, E. coli, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and a range of allergens, contaminating your food and water. Safeguarding your home and family from their harmful effects is crucial.

While chemical pesticide sprays may seem like a quick fix, they can be harmful to your loved ones and the environment. Thankfully, there are numerous non-toxic alternatives available. Discover how you can repel flies without resorting to harsh commercial products by exploring a variety of natural remedies to keep your home fly-free this summer.

How to Get Rid of Flies in the House Quickly:

Regular houseflies are typically drawn to places where they can lay their eggs, such as areas with wood waste, garbage, animal feces, and decaying material. To reduce the availability of these fly-friendly spaces, follow these suggestions to make your home less attractive to flies and limit their access to preferred areas:

Ensure your screens, windows, doors, and house vents are well-sealed and free from holes or tears.
Opt for garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and promptly dispose of trash when it's full to avoid attracting flies.
Store leftover food in airtight containers, especially when grilling or hanging around outside.
Avoid leaving dirty dishes or glasses on the kitchen counter or other areas.
Keep freshly cut grass clippings and piles of leaves away from your home.
Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night.
Refrain from using poison traps for rodents, as they can attract flies.
Clean up animal feces, such as in your cat's litter box, immediately.

Consider using smaller garbage bins during fly season, even if it means taking out the trash more frequently. If you experience a heavy fly infestation around your kitchen or laundry room, moving the garbage bins outside during fly season might be a viable solution.

How to Get Rid of Flies Inside:

Discover natural remedies to keep flies at bay within your home:

Cloves: Place about 20 whole cloves into a ripe apple or a piece of citrus fruit like a lemon or orange and set it on a plate. The fragrant pomander will help repel flies for weeks.
Lavender: Grow lavender plants outside, place a fresh lavender bouquet in a vase, or burn lavender oil near entryways and windows to deter flies while creating a relaxing ambiance.
Citrus: Use citrus peels in areas frequented by flies, as the scent of orange or lemon extracts acts as a natural repellent. Dampen the peels on a small cloth to maintain their effectiveness.
Basil: Plant basil near windows and entryways to keep flies away from your house, or use it in gardens and planters when spending time outdoors.
Pine: Dab pine oil on a cheesecloth and place it where you see flies, or soak cotton balls in pine oil and put them in a bowl to achieve similar results.
Cayenne Pepper: Mix one cup of water and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a misting spray bottle and spray it around your home's entryways and areas frequented by flies.
Apple Cider Vinegar & Dish Soap: Create a trap by mixing a few drops of dish soap in an inch of apple cider vinegar in a tall glass. Cover the glass with plastic wrap, secure it with a rubber band, and poke small holes in the top. Flies will be attracted to the vinegar but get trapped by the dish soap.
Venus Flytrap: Consider planting Venus flytraps outside to attract, trap, and eat insects naturally.
Light Trap: Set up light traps, which lure flies with a light source and either zap or trap them upon contact.
Sticky Traps: Hang or place sticky paper strips throughout your house to catch and trap flies and other pests.

How to Get Rid of Flies Outside:

Keep your outdoor spaces fly-free with these natural methods:

Outdoor Fan: Set up oscillating fans on your deck or patio to create a strong breeze that discourages flies from lingering.
Patio Flytrap: Create a simple flytrap by mixing sugar and water in a mason jar and constructing a cone from paper or cardstock. Flies will be attracted to the sweet sugary water but won't be able to escape the jar.
Citronella Candle: Use citronella candles to enjoy a pest-free outdoor experience, as flies and other insects are repelled by the scent.
Homemade Fly Strips: Apply essential oils like clove, lavender, lemon, or mint to strips of cloth and hang them in strategic areas to deter flies.
Standing Water Around the Yard: Reduce the amount of standing water in your yard by refreshing birdbaths, removing objects that collect rainwater, and filling in sunken areas.

With these effective and non-toxic fly repellents, you can protect your home and family from these bothersome insects, creating a more comfortable and enjoyable living space in Fort Myers, Florida.

Alenas Cleaning Service

12557 NEW BRITTANY BLVD. STE 3 FORT MYERS FL 33907 +1 (239) 259-7787 info@alenascleaning.com