1`

13 Best Ways to Get Rid of Pesky House Flies Immediately

House flies are annoying and can spread disease, so ideally we don’t want them anywhere near our home. The constant buzzing is a pain, while it’s disgusting to think of the way they eat and digest food.

When a fly settles on a dirty dinner plate, it’s unpleasant, to say the least, but what can we do about them? They are difficult to repel, and a lot of homemade remedies simply don’t work.

Fortunately, as this list shows, there are some ways in which you can get rid of those pesky house flies.

1. Keep Doors and Windows Closed

A cozy entryway with brown and brick walls, hardwood flooring, decorations, and a white front door with windows.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Prevention is better than cure, and the easiest way to stop flies from entering your home is to deny them access. If possible, keep all your doors and windows closed, and in the hotter months of the year, rely on your air conditioning unit.

It won’t always be possible to do this and many households don’t have AC to fall back on. At times when you have to keep doors and windows open, read on and take in the following tips.

2. Clear Away Food

Smelly Refrigerator, dirty, spoiled, mold, woman
Image Credit: Photoroyalty/Shutterstock.

If you leave dirty dishes around the house, flies will congregate almost immediately. Once your meal is complete, place them in the dishwasher if you have one. Alternatively, fill a sink with hot water and submerge any used cutlery and crockery.

The same applies to food. If, for example, you’re preparing some sliced chicken for a lunchtime sandwich, put it back in the fridge immediately. Any trace of food will quickly attract these uninvited six-legged pests.

3. Clear Standing Water

Sink, scrub, clean, sponge, kitchen
Image Credit: sdf_qwe/Shutterstock.

If you are using a sink to do your washing up, be sure to act quickly. Flies can lay eggs in any standing water source and will be happy to attack your dishwater if it’s left overnight.

During busy periods, you should also change your pet’s water quickly. Don’t even leave a glass of water by your bed. If you need a drink in the middle of the night, draw fresh water from the faucet.

4. Use Lids and Clips

Reusable plastic container with lid in the larder
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You’ve cleared away dishes and food, but your work isn’t over yet. Flies are industrious creatures and they will find any food source that is unattended. Cereal packets and fruit are among many other targets.

At the warmest times of the year when flies are most active, look to use plastic-lidded boxes for food. Alternatively, bags and clips will work, as long as there are no tiny entry points for the insects to exploit.

5. Pay Attention to Pet Food

Cat, eating, food bowl, black cat, pet
Image Credit: aleg baranau/Shutterstock.

Flies will not discriminate between human food and pet food. Anything will give them the energy they need, and they will attack your pet bowls as soon as they get a chance.

You could consider switching your cat or dog to dry food. Flies don’t tend to feast on this unless they are desperate. Alternatively, if your pet insists on wet food, you should clear any leftovers away as soon as they’ve finished eating.

6. Clean Litter Trays

Automatic Cat Litter Box; Funny tabby cat step inside a litter box.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

There’s no nice way of putting this: Flies are attracted to poop, and you’ll need to be aware of this if you want to keep them out of the home. If you have a cat that likes to use an indoor litter box, their feces can attract flies.

Like any food source, you’ll need to dispose of it immediately. Use a scoop if you can, or tip all the litter into the outdoor garbage. Make sure any lids or bags are properly sealed.

7. Grow Basil Indoors

Fresh basil plant in a pot on a textured background. Fresh organic basil leaves. Spices. Vegan. Home gardening on kitchen. Home planting and food growing. basil plant
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

There are a number of indoor plants that work well in repelling flies, but basil may be the most effective. Its strong scent is a natural deterrent to many unwanted bugs, so look to plant some close to your kitchen entry points.

It’s easy to grow basil from a store-bought plant. Remember to separate the individual plants, and then place them in water for a few days to develop the roots. Plant in a fresh pot and you may never need to purchase this herb again.

8. Use Citronella Products

Citronella (Scent Geranium). Pelagorium Citrosum essence oil in a cup with a candel incence and spray bottle. Over a wood plank.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Citronella is commonly used to repel midges and mosquitoes, but it can also be used as a deterrent for flies. Many consumers buy it in candle form where the scent is pleasant to humans, but it’s also a big turn-off for most insects.

Those buyers may not be aware that citronella can be easy to grow, and like basil, you can place it around your entry points to keep flies away. Alternatively, infuse some leaves in water and the natural oils can produce an organic fly spray.

9. Try Essential Oils

Essential oil bottle standing at beautiful hot tub bath with candles.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you don’t have a green thumb and are struggling to grow plants indoors or out, you can bypass the process. The oil in certain herbs is the main deterrent to flies, and peppermint and lemongrass can be highly effective.

You can rub the oil directly onto surfaces, but be careful in areas where you prepare food. A better way to use essential oils is to buy candles or place them in a diffuser. They’ll add a pleasant scent to your room while helping to keep flies at bay.

10. Reduce Lighting

women opening curtains, drawn curtains, open curtains, woman
Image Source: Shutterstock.

Flies and other insects are attracted to light sources, so aim to keep these at a minimum. During the day when flies are most active, there shouldn’t be a need to keep lights on during daylight hours.

If you must have a light source in, for example, a home office, aim to use curtains or blinds to deter insects. It won’t get rid of flies completely, but every tip helps in the battle against these irritating bugs.

11. Install Fly Paper

flies stuck to the sticky tape for catching insects. Fly paper. Fly trap. Insect trap.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Double-sided fly paper does a job and if your homemade methods aren’t working, it’s definitely an option to consider. Hang some at the back and front doors, and close to any open windows. Just make sure that the paper is above head height so that you don’t accidentally walk into sticky paper and a bunch of dead bugs.

Flypaper is readily available at stores, but it’s also easy to make. Apply honey and sugar to a brown paper bag and watch them swarm in.

12. A Homemade Fly Trap

get rid of the kitchen midge. recipe home traps. add wine or wine vinegar in a bowl and a few drops of soap. set instead of clusters. Fly trap
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Vinegar and dish soap can combine to make an effective homemade fly trap. Apple cider vinegar works best, but you can try any product. Place some in a bowl or tall glass, and add a few drops of regular dish soap.

Cover the area with cling film, and poke a few holes so that the flies have access. The insects are attracted to the smell and taste of the vinegar but the presence of the soap makes them sink.

13. Use Fly Spray

Man spraying on a fly a poisonous aerosol. Fly spray.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you’ve tried everything else, and it’s not working, store-bought fly spray may be your best answer. Similarly, if you want to cut to the chase, and get rid of them as quickly as possible, this is a solution.

There are two points to consider: The cheaper brands of fly spray are not as effective and this is a product where you tend to get what you pay for.

Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top