Flies are a lot more than just irritating pests that buzz around your home annoying everyone they come into contact with. Having a fly problem in your home makes it uncomfortable and embarrassing to have guests visit. You may keep a tidy house but it’s hard not to imagine your visitors thinking you don’t thanks to the flies. If you’ve tried everything and just can’t seem to get rid of flies, you’re likely frustrated and perhaps even feeling helpless. Don’t. There are lots of ways to get rid of flies without coating your house in unsightly fly tape. I’ve compiled some of the best to help you get rid of the flies that are plaguing you.
The Old Standbys
Traps: We’ve all heard the phrase, “you catch more flies with honey” (or sugar depending on who you talk to) but sugar or honey traps for flies don’t actually work all that well. That doesn’t mean all homemade fly traps are a bust. Homemade fly traps work exactly as you would expect them to – they draw the flies and then trap them so they can’t escape. The flies eventually die and your fly problem is, at the very least, a lot less severe. For a homemade trap to work, you need to use the right materials. Honey and sugar only offer very limited success so if you have a severe fly problem, you should stick with something more effective. Citrus or fruit scented dish soap fly traps are not only incredibly effective but also easy to make. All you need is a jar, fruit scented dish soap and water. Pour about an inch of the soap into the jar and add an equal amount of water. Done. See? Simple.
Scented candles: In order for scented candles to be effective you need to get the right scent and you need to make sure the candle is big enough to do its job. Lavender scented candles work best. Look for lavender scented candles at any department store and buy the biggest, most fragrant candle you can find. Ideally, you should buy a large candle with more than one wick (most department stores sell large three wick candles but you may have to look at store more specifically focused on either gifts or home goods). Smaller candles are effective if you aren’t able to find a larger one but in order for them to be effective, you’ll need more than one. Added bonus? Your house will smell awesome.
The All Natural Approach
Lemongrass: Any store focusing on natural health and well being or that offers aromatherapy candles, body washes and home products will almost certainly sell lemongrass aromatherapy oils. Put a few drops of the oil in a spray bottle with roughly a cup of water. The general rule of thumb is that there should be five drops of oil for every cup of water. Spray your lemongrass water on windowsills and on door frames. It’s a good option because it smells great, it works and it doesn’t involve using harsh chemicals and ugly fly tape.
Oil Burners: This one is a bit similar to the lemongrass solution we talked about a moment ago but instead of spraying a natural mix on your sills and frames, you’ll be using an oil burner to keep flies at bay. Oil burners can be purchased anywhere you can buy aromatherapy oils. Like I mentioned earlier when we talked about scented candles, lavender is really best for repelling flies so lavender oil is really the best choice here but you can also use clove or eucalyptus oil. Put a little in your oil burner, light it and keep it lit. Place the burner in the room that is hardest hit by the flies. If you’re willing to invest a little more money into the problem and are having severe fly problems in more than one room, buy an oil burner and oil for every room that has a fly infestation. The smell will be warm and inviting, unless of course you’re a fly.
Plants a gardens: A little windowsill garden of basil can significantly reduce the number of flies that take up residence in your home. This one is a great option because first, you’ll deal with your fly situation and second, you’ll have fresh basil for cooking. You can also plant gardens filled with tansy around the entrances of your home. They’re lovely flowers that spice up the exterior of your home and make it look more warm and inviting but the flowers will also discourage flies from taking up residence in your home.
Unusual Options
Plastic bags filled with water: I’m not really sure why this one works but it does. According to what I’ve read, water in bags screws with flies’ vision, thus repelling them. This one is pretty easy too and it also allows you to avoid using harsh chemicals although guests may wonder why you have bags of water hanging everywhere. The fact that it’s an easy, inexpensive solution makes it worth looking a little weird to guests. To do this one, all you need to do is fill a clear plastic bag with water and hang if by a door or hang it from the ceiling. It will reduce the number of flies entering your home. It works far better in the daytime than night. Some suggest putting a penny in the bag to make it effective after dark as well. I’m not entirely sure that part will work but it doesn’t hurt to try it out.
Preventing Fly Infestations
It is absolutely vital to keep your house clean if you want to prevent flies. Make sure you clear any food particles out of your sink, keep your dishes clean, and make sure your garbage is properly sealed and emptied on a regular basis. If you have cats, keep their litter boxes clean. Rodents should have their bedding changed on a regular basis. Clean out dog and cat food bowls, especially if you feed them wet food. Finally, ensure all of your windows have screens on them and repair any damage to the screens as soon as you notice it. Caulk around windows and doors for a tighter seal. The plastic bags with water work just as well for preventing fly infestations as they do for getting rid of them. The same can be said for the gardens and candles. With these tips, you’ll not only be able to get rid of your fly infestation but also reduce the chances of getting another one.
