Flies are annoying little pests. They fly around, buzzing and making a nuisance of themselves—and that’s not the worst part!
These pesky insects lay their eggs on garbage, rotting organic material, and animal feces. Not only that, but their legs and wings carry disease-carrying pathogens. Then, they stand on foods, drinks, and work surfaces spreading these pathogens everywhere they go. This can turn into a major health crisis real fast.
Fortunately, there’s more than one way you can put an end to these pests once and for all. Below are 10 simple and affordable must-try tips on how to keep flies away both indoors and outdoors.
You’re certainly going to want to try each one out, so let’s get started!
How to Keep Flies Away!
Figuring out how to keep flies away can be a challenge. Luckily, we managed to gather the 10 top ideas to help you maintain a no-fly zone both indoors and outdoors.
1. Plants
Sure, we like plants, but we like them much more when they serve a practical purpose, like getting rid of flies.
Below is a list of a few aromatic plants that double as terrific fly repellents. You can grow them on your kitchen windowsill or in your yard. Place them close to doorways, windows, garbage bins, and drains to prevent infestations.
Some natural fly-repellents include:
- Lavender
- Citrus
- Basil
- Mint
2. Cayenne Pepper and Water Spray
- Product Type:Herb
- Item Package Dimension:6.604 cm L X8.991 cm W X20.193 cm H
- Item Package Weight:0.549 kg
Cayenne pepper has a strong aroma that helps keep flies away. Mix one teaspoon cayenne pepper with one cup of water and stir well. Then, pour it into a clean spray bottle.
Spray the areas where flies like to hang out in your home. If you’re spraying outside, make sure you get some on the drains, garbage bins, and walkways.
The one downside is that it can be dangerous if you have children or pets at home. They may get some on their hands or in their eyes, which isn’t only painful, but critical as well if ingested.
3. Pennies in Water
This is one of the most bizarre ways to enjoy eating outdoors or just hanging around in your backyard, but it works!
The secret? Flies hate the smell of copper. Plus, the way the pennies look concave in the water creeps them out.
Fill several glasses halfway with water. Add five or six pennies in each one. Then, place the glasses strategically in the areas you want to protect the most.
You can also use clear plastic bags. Fill each one about three-quarters of the way with water and add several coins. Close each bag firmly by tying a knot at the top of the bag, then hang them around your porch or yard.
4. How to Keep Flies Away – Citronella Candles
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Citronella is known for its ability to get rid of mosquitos, but it works just as effectively on flies. For starters, flies hate smoke of any kind. Add to that the smell of citronella, which they hate even more, and you have an exceptional insecticide.
You can use citronella candles both indoors and outdoors. Keep the candle burning for no less than 30 minutes to get the best results.
5. Lemongrass Essential Oil
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Flies can’t stand the smell of lemongrass. Luckily for us, we love it!
To prepare the mixture, heat half a cup of water. Next, add about 20 drops of pure lemongrass oil. When the mixture cools down, pour it into a spray bottle. Then, use it to spray all the doorways, windows, and work surfaces.
6. Cucumbers
For some reason, flies hate the smell of cucumbers. They’re a cheap and effective way to get rid of flies both indoors and outdoors.
Slice up some cucumbers. Then, place them in the areas where there are the most flies. You can even place some slices on the top of your garbage bin to prevent them from laying eggs in your garbage bins.
7. Clove-Filled Lemons
- WHOLE CLOVES - cloves have a sweet savory flavor and that's why it is a part of holiday recipes.
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We mentioned earlier how flies hate the smell of citrus. They hate the strong aroma of cloves even more. This is a cheap, no-fuss way to keep flies away, and works equally well both indoors and outdoors.
Simply slice a lemon in two halves and place them in a shallow bowl. Then, stick as many whole cloves in the flesh of each lemon half as it’ll allow. That’s it!
For outdoor picnics or BBQs, place the clove-filled lemons at least 30 minutes in advance. This will give time for the scents to fill the air. So, that by the time your Al Fresco dining begins, there won’t be a fly in sight.
8. Pesticides
Pesticides, especially those containing pyrethrin, are a common choice. They’re especially effective for large indoor fly infestations.
They do come with a few drawbacks, however. One is that flies quickly become resistant to their toxic ingredients, rendering them useless after some time.
Another is that they pose a mild health risk when inhaled. So, make sure the area is well-ventilated once you’ve sprayed. Also, make sure no one is in or around the area until the smell has worn off.
9. How to Keep Flies Away – Store Bought Flytraps
These are the two most sought-out commercial flytraps available.
How to Keep Flies Away – Sticky Traps
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- Organic Gardening: Safe way to remove small pests with no harsh ingredients. Fruit Flies, Gnats and other small flying insects are attracted to the...
True to their name, sticky traps are strips of paper covered with an extremely sticky substance. This substance is responsible for two things.
First, its sweet smell attracts the flies. Second, it traps them by gluing them down to the paper.
How to Keep Flies Away – Light Traps
- Easy to use – The Gardner FlyWeb Classic lures and eliminates airborne pests without relying on any detrimental substances. It is effortless to tidy...
- Starts working Immediately – Simply remove the adhesive cover from the glue card, insert it into unit, plug in and watch as the Fly Web Classic...
- Compact and Silent- Use the fruit fly trap for indoors close to insect-ridden plants, fruit or trash areas in your home, office, restaurant, or bar....
Light traps draw flies in with the help of a light attached to the far end of the box. The flies enter from the opening trying to reach the light.
Once inside the box, they’re either captured on glue boards like those found on sticky traps. Other types kill flies with an electric volt.
10. Homemade Flytraps
There are plenty of homemade flytraps you can try with whatever you have in your cupboards. Here are the most popular.
How to Keep Flies Away – Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap
- Rich in enzymes & potassium
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Apple cider vinegar is known for its wide range of health benefits. It’s versatile, easy to use, and has many applications, including trapping flies.
Fill a medium-sized bowl a little more than halfway. Add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap. You can place the bowl either outside or inside near windows or doorways.
The flies are drawn to the vinegar’s sweet odor, whereas the dish soap reduces the liquid’s surface tension. This makes the flies unable to float and they sink and drown.
Another variation is to place the mixture in a tall glass. Cover the glass with plastic wrap secured in place with a rubber band. Then, poke holes in the top of the plastic wrap. The sweet-smelling vinegar attracts the flies, which go in through the holes. Once inside, they’re trapped inside.
How to Keep Flies Away – Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Traps
This blend works great on all types of flies both indoors and out. To make, heat one cup of milk. Add one tablespoon ground black pepper and three tablespoons of sugar. You can also use honey or molasses.
Next, simmer the mixture on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Next, pour the mixture into several shallow bowls. Finally, place the bowls in various areas around your home or wherever flies usually hang out.
The sweet smell will attract the flies. Once they land in the bowls, the strong spicy smell of the pepper makes it hard for them to breathe forcing them to drown.
How to Keep Flies Away – A Final Note
Flies aren’t just an inconvenience. They pose a serious health hazard to you and your family. Make sure both the inside and outside of your home are free from food waste, stagnant water, and animal feces. This is the first step to prevent fly infestations.
If you do find plenty of flies buzzing in and out of your home, use our 10 tips on how to keep flies away. They’re fool-proof, budget-friendly, and easy to set up. Best of all, they’re guaranteed to keep the flies away for a long time.
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