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How to Keep Flies Away

Keeping flies away often requires a combination of strategies to ensure you eliminate them from both your outdoor and indoor spaces. While you can start by identifying any outdoor areas of your property that might be attracting these pests, you should also devise a plan to get rid of flies that are currently in your home. Fortunately, you can combine strategies to keep flies away.

Caution

Many pest-control products are toxic to humans and pets. Be sure to read the product instructions and follow the manufacturer’s precautions before using pest-control products.

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Flies buzzing around your yard may eventually make their way indoors to become even more of a nuisance. Keep flies away by ensuring your outdoor spaces don’t harbor them. Tidying up areas that might attract flies is an effective measure in reducing their population. Follow these tips to keep flies away:

Food waste in trash cans is sure to attract flies. If you store your trash cans outside, clean them regularly with a soap-and-water mixture to eliminate food particles and odors.
Dead leaves, grass clippings and thick brush can be areas where flies hide. Clean up your property to remove this debris.
If you have a compost pile on your property, locate it away from your home. You might not be able to keep all the flies away from the compost, but you can reduce the likelihood of them getting indoors if you position the pile at least 20 feet away from any entry points, such as doors and windows.
If you’re a pet owner, make sure you clean up animal feces, which can also attract flies to your yard.
Turn off exterior lights when you don’t need them. Bright lights can attract flies to your door, making it easier for them to sneak in when you open it.

Get rid of house flies by limiting their access to your home. It’s important to keep doors closed except when you’re stepping in or out. Inspect your windows, doors and vents to make sure their seals are intact. If you notice any small holes or exposed areas, seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. Replace torn window screens as well. The fewer access points flies have, the less likely they are to enter your home.

Add some natural fly deterrents to your outdoor space using basic household items and cleaning supplies. Try one of these strategies:

Combine vinegar and dish soap in a cup or bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Poke holes in the wrap. Flies will be attracted to the vinegar but will sink once they enter the solution.
Fill a spray bottle with water and some cayenne pepper. Spray it around your lawn and garden. This repellent is nontoxic to humans, but the smell can deter flies. Wear eye protection and gloves to avoid irritation, particularly on a windy day.
Add plants that naturally deter flies to your garden or landscaping. Lavender, bay leaf and mint have strong odors that keep flies away. Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants that eat flies.

Indoor fly traps and repellents can reduce fly activity in your home. Several options are available, so consider mixing and matching repellents to find a solution that works in your home. Consider these options:

Hang up fly paper on windows or doors to attract flies. This sticky paper traps them as soon as they land on it.
Plug-in traps emit a light that attracts flies and traps them.
Position a lighted fly fan in a room that frequently attracts flies. The lights and moving fan will scare the flies away.

Keep Flies Away With a Customized Strategy

There are many strategies for getting rid of house flies, so you can create a plan that’s just right for your home. Start at the source: Identify whatever is attracting them inside or outside to determine the best course of action. To learn more about keeping your home free of pests, check out our pest-control guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a couple of common questions and answers about getting rid of flies.

What’s the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Flies?

A combination of sticky traps and insect spray will work fast to get flies out of your home.

What’s the Best Home Remedy to Get Rid of Flies?

If you don’t want to use chemical insect sprays, opt for natural ingredients and repellents, like vinegar, cayenne or lavender. To prevent flies from getting into your home in the first place, start by keeping your trash and food sealed up and checking the seals on your windows and doors.

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Outdoor Living

How to Get Rid of House Flies