Search results
1. Vinegar and Dish Soap. Vinegar and dish soap is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Flies are naturally drawn to vinegar. Place some in a bowl and add a few drops of dish soap. The flies will go into the bowl to get the vinegar, and the dish soap will kill them in the process.
- How to Make Non-Toxic and Natural DIY All-Purpose Cleaners
Here is a list of ingredients you probably have at home that...
- How to Make Essential Oils
Can You Keep Ducks and Chickens Together? 29 Indulgent Plum...
- Keeping a Clean House
Realize, when you keep a list going and you make it a...
- Plant These Herbs
Keep in mind, the closer to your house you build it, the...
- Mint
Make sure to do this when you have a few back-to-back dry,...
- Keep Your Home Cooler
Here are a few tips to help you beat the heat and keep your...
- 42 Surprising Borax Uses That Can Save You Money and Time
18. Rids Your Fridge of Odors. If you have a bad smelling...
- 10 Creative Tips for Easily Decorating a Small Home for Christmas
This means, if you are one of those people that think that...
- How to Make Non-Toxic and Natural DIY All-Purpose Cleaners
- Make a harmless trap with apple cider vinegar. Flies are renowned for their love of sweet things, which is why you'll find them in the kitchen by the fruit bowl.
- Try the simple water and coin hack. This water and coin trick became a firm favourite a few years ago on social media when cleaning forums were filled with praise for this simple yet seemingly effective fly deterrent.
- Put plants near the windows. Mint and basil are commonly thought of as scents that flies dislike, meaning their presence acts as a simple repellent. If you have herb plants indoors, place the pots near the open windows in an attempt to stop flies in their tracks from crossing the threshold.
- Use essential oils. Spritz a room with essential oils such as lemongrass or peppermint or use an essential oil diffuser to repel flies in an instant. These natural fragrances give off a strong smell that instantly deters flies from entering your home.
- Overview
- Are houseflies harmful?
- How to get rid of houseflies naturally
- Insecticide and other repellents
- How to repel flies from your porch
- What attracts houseflies to your home?
- Preventing a housefly infestation
- Takeaway
Use these tips to rid your home of houseflies and prevent them from coming back.
Houseflies are one type of fly in the insect order Diptera, all of which have one set of wings. They are also known as “nuisance” flies. House flies are about ¼-inch long and gray.
Houseflies are found almost everywhere people live. They lay their eggs on animal feces, garbage, and in rotting organic material.
A housefly infestation may not be a major concern, but it can also spread disease. There are many safe and easy ways to prevent infestations or get rid of them when they happen.
In many cases, housefly infestations are often just a nuisance. However, houseflies can also carry viruses and bacteria that can spread when they bite. Diseases house flies might carry include:
•food poisoning
•cholera
•E. coli
•typhoid fever
•dysentery
Herbs and flowers
Herbs and flowers can be planted both in your garden and outside to keep flies away from your house. Herbs and flowers that can repel flies include: •basil •marigold •lavender •bay leaves •catnip As a bonus, some can be used for cooking as well.
Vinegar and dish soap
A mixture of vinegar and dish soap can help you trap flies. To use this method, mix about an inch of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a tall glass. Cover the glass with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic wrap with a rubber band and poke small holes in the top. Flies will be attracted to the vinegar in the glass and will fly through the holes. However, the dish soap causes the flies to sink instead of being able to land on the vinegar.
Cayenne pepper and water
Cayenne pepper can help repel houseflies. Mix it with water and spray around the house to deter flies from coming in.
Pyrethrin-based insecticide
When you have a large housefly infestation, insecticides can be effective because they work quickly. However, they’re not effective in the long term, because flies have short life cycles and will develop resistance. Additionally, the effect of the insecticide goes away quickly. If you do need or want to use insecticide, pyrethrin-based insecticides are most common for indoor fly infestations. Be sure that you buy an insecticide specifically for indoor use, ventilate the area well, and follow the directions exactly.
Light trap
Light traps are boxes with a light in the back that attracts flies. When the flies try to get to the light, they’ll either be killed with an electric zap or trapped, depending on what kind of light trap you choose. Be sure to mount light traps away from entrances and windows, so they can’t be seen from the outside. They should also be mounted within 5 feet of the floor.
Sticky traps
Sticky traps are strips of sticky paper that can be hung or laid down throughout your house. They’re not as effective as other traps, but can be added to help remove infestations.
Many natural and other fly repellents can be used outside to keep flies away from your house. You can try planting herbs and flowers such as basil or marigolds around the house, or even plant a few Venus flytraps. You can also use sticky traps outside.
You can also use insecticides outdoors, although flies will still develop resistance to them. Residual pesticides, which remain active for longer than indoor pesticides, can be sprayed around your house.
Houseflies are mainly attracted by material in which they can lay their eggs. This includes:
•rotting material, including food waste and other garbage
•animal feces
•manure
The best way to deal with a housefly infestation is to prevent it in the first place. Make sure they don’t have areas to lay eggs and remove things that can attract the flies.
•Make sure your windows, doors, and house vents are sealed properly and free from holes or other damage.
•Use a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid, and take the bag out as soon as it’s full.
•Store food properly in airtight containers.
•Don’t leave dirty dishes or glasses out on the counter.
•Don’t leave grass clippings or leaves out to decay near your house.
Housefly infestations aren’t just a nuisance. They can also be hazardous to your health. By keeping your house clean — especially free from food waste — you can help prevent a housefly infestation.
If an infestation does occur, there are many natural and trapping methods to try.
- Erica Hersh
- Trapping Flies Use light traps to catch larger flies. UV light traps are ideal for catching houseflies and other relatively large species of flies and pest insects.
- Using Insecticides Treat doorways with pyrethrin spray. Pyrethrin is a relatively safe natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers.
- Using Natural Fly Repellants and Killers Use essential oils to kill and repel flies. Many plants produce natural insecticides and insect repellants.
- Keeping Flies Out Clean up food and food waste immediately. Flies are attracted to moist organic material, which acts as both a source of food and a place to lay eggs.
May 3, 2024 · Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap. Use equal parts dish soap and apple cider vinegar, and put the solution in a bowl or jar. Sprinkle sugar on top to further entice the flies. The dish soap will break down the flies and kill them, while the vinegar attracts them.
Apr 5, 2024 · Use a Fly Zapper. Get Rid of Flies with Citronella or Camphor Smoke. Use a Plastic Bag Half-Filled with Water to Repel Flies. Use a Fan. Homemade Fly Traps. Use a Vinegar or Wine Trap. Make a Trap with Sugar Water. Try a Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Fly Trap. How to Keep Flies Away – In the House.
People also ask
How do you get rid of flies naturally?
How do I keep flies away from my house?
Does vinegar kill flies?
How do you get rid of flies in a bottle trap?
How do you get rid of flies in a glass jar?
How do you get rid of houseflies?
Apr 18, 2024 · Combine equal parts of the two in a small bowl and add a pinch of sugar to the mix. Ideally, the dish soap will have a fruity smell. “The fermented smell from the vinegar can attract flies ...
