How to Get Rid of Flies

Those Pesky Flies

The United States is home to many different species of flies, from drain flies and blowflies to houseflies and the gnat. Regardless of the type, they’re all annoying when they make it inside your home. Flies are not only troublesome, they can also carry disease and are a health hazard if left untreated. So if you experience regular, annoying flies, it’s time to take care of them. Here’s how to do it:

How to Get Rid of House Flies: Create Fly Traps

For flies stuck inside the house, your best option is to lure them into inescapable fly traps. A DIY fly trap is very easy to make. Start with an empty two-liter soda bottle and cut the top third cleanly off with scissors. Then turn the top third upside down and put it over the open bottle, like a funnel and secure it with tape or staples. Next, fill the bottom of the bottle with about half an inch of a melted sugar water mixture or another type of sweet sticky liquid and add in a few teaspoons of vinegar, preferably white vinegar. This will help keep bees and other unwanted insects away from the trap. When filling the bottle try and drip the sticky liquid down the edges of the funnel so that when the flies come towards the funnel, they will stick right from the start. This makes it easy for flies to crawl inside, but very difficult for them to ever leave.

If pesky fruit flies are invading your kitchen, grab a small bowl and pour in a little apple cider vinegar. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and punch a couple pencil-lead-sized holes in the plastic. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and they can get in but not out. Vinegar can also be used to make a natural cleaner.

If you have flies in a specific area, like drains or plants, then an eco-friendly fly spray is very effective.

Ward Flies Away From Your Home

There are certain scents and substances that flies don’t like: These can serve as a deterrent to flies, especially when used around the outside of your home. Growing herbs in a sunny spot like basil, bay leaves, and mint are all helpful here.

Fly Spray for House

And you can make your own fly repellent spray with essential oils. Mix lavender, peppermint and witch hazel with water in a spray bottle. Use it to mist furniture, linens, fly infested plants and around exterior doors.

Replace Weather-Stripping and Close Other Gaps

Replace the weather-stripping around doors and windows if it’s worn away: This will seal the gaps that flies are using to enter your home. Also, close insulation holes and any other spaces in your house where flies could enter, using spray foam insulation.

Many flies, like cluster flies, love the sunlight and warmth, which is often why they buzz against windows. So always make sure your open windows have screens to keep any more flies from entering. Likewise, don’t leave doors open for long periods of time.

We can also help if you have problems with other house-related pests like wasps or woodpeckers.