Are you experiencing a fly problem in your home? When the warm months roll around, so do insects and unwanted pesky visitors into your house
While flies serve their purpose in our ecosystem by providing food for birds and other animals and breaking down organic matter in the environment, they are a nuisance when they enter your home and make themselves comfortable. Aside from being an annoyance, they can also be a potential health hazard by introducing germs and disease-causing bacteria.
There are ways to repel, trap, and also kill house flies to keep your home healthy and safe. From fly traps to fly repellents, learn how to take control of the problem and get rid of flies for good. Here are some of expert tips to get rid of flies.
In This Article
1. Get to the Source
Common house flies typically enter the house through open windows and doors. They tend to make themselves at home, and if the conditions are good, they will reproduce and introduce their offspring into your home as well. House flies lay their eggs in feces, rotting animal flesh, and garbage. They can carry bacteria that can cause diseases and infections, so it’s important to get rid of them.
Make sure to keep doors closed and supply your windows with screens. Scoop up pet waste promptly, cover your garbage bins with lids, and keep your kitchen clean.
Prevention is the best medicine by eliminating points of entry and food sources inside and around your house. But sometimes, those pesky little guys still make their way in, and now you need to take action.
2. Go the Natural Way
You can make your own natural essential oil spray fly repellent. Try using lavender essential oil, as well as other essential oils that have odors that flies don’t like such as mint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and cloves. Mix a few drops of essential oil into a spray bottle with water and then spray it around your kitchen, windows, doors, and anywhere you spot flies in your home. Repeat this process every few weeks to keep the smell potent.
Another trick to help get rid of flies in your home and keep them from coming back is to plant herbs that flies dislike. Basil is a known fly deterrent. Place basil plants around doors and windows to keep those pesky buggers from being drawn to your home.
3. Flypaper/Fly Traps
One of the easiest ways to tackle an existing fly infestation is to hang flypaper, also called fly ribbons, in areas where flies are present. They aren’t pretty to look at, but they work very well.
The flies are attracted to the smell on the sticky paper, fly into it, and get stuck to the glue on the paper. Some contain a type of poison, so the flies die immediately.
Another effective way to get rid of flies is to use fly traps. They work by attracting and trapping flies into some type of container so you can dispose of them as you wish. Adhesive tape traps are yet another option. You simply need to stick to your windows to attract and trap flies.
4. Zap Them
New electronic devices have come along to eliminate flies and other flying insects instantly. These tend to be a costlier solution, but are very effective in killing house flies. You may want to use ultraviolet lamps, which are lights that attract flies and kill them as soon as they touch the lamp. Modern fly swatters are also a great option. You can now can purchase electric fly swatters and electrocute the pesky insects instantly. This method is a little more hands-on as you have to swat the flies in your home as you spot them.
If swatting is your preferred method, then the electric fly zapper is definitely better than a rolled-up newspaper!
5. Flies Be Gone
There’s no need to endure the annoying, buzzing house flies in your home. You have several options to choose from when it comes to getting rid of flies.
You can go down the natural path and choose essential oils and plants. You can also tackle the problem more aggressively with fly traps and zappers. Sometimes a combination of options is good to make sure that the problem is well taken care of. Keep your home clean and healthy, free of flies that can carry disease and germs.