How to get rid of flies
Flies are one of the most common insects you’ll see. They are especially prevalent in warmer months, so you’re likely to notice them more in summer - right when you’ll want to enjoy time outside or have a window open. They breed quickly and often appear in large groups. A fly problem in your home is both unsightly and annoying to deal with. That buzzing sound in your ears gets old quick! Luckily, if you know how to get rid of flies, it’s not too difficult to keep them out of your home.
What attracts flies?
If you’re interested in how to get rid of house flies, you’ll first need to know why they’re appearing at all. House flies tend to be found anywhere where people live, because they lay their eggs in and feed on garbage. They’re attracted to any decaying organic matter, from food scraps to faeces, where they often lay their eggs. Because of this, one of the best ways to get rid of flies in your home is to limit the places where they can lay their eggs.
Why are there flies in your house?
Even if you’re noticing flies in your house, the chances that they’re laying eggs inside is pretty low. The most likely case is that they’re breeding nearby outside and are finding ways to enter your home. They can make their way through gaps in window screens or any open doors. Of course, if you have any rubbish outside that might attract flies, this can contribute to them making their way into your home. Clearing any areas in which flies may be laying their eggs is a great idea if you’re looking into how to get rid of flies. Afterall, prevention is easier than eradicating an existing fly infestation.
How to get rid of flies quickly
Flies are unpleasant to have around. If you’re noticing flies, you’ll want to take measures to get rid of them as soon as you can, especially if they’re inside your house. They’re irritating, unsightly and can even carry bacteria and diseases into your home. Here’s some quick and easy advice on how to get rid of house flies, so you can get back peace of mind inside your home.
How to get rid of flies in your house
One common approach to getting rid of stray flies that enter your home is to use a fly swatter. However, it’s not the most effective and easy! Not to mention, hitting flies and squashing them into your walls or furniture is messy.
One of the quickest and simplest ways to get rid of flies you spot around your house is to use an insect killer. Aerogard Home Flying Insect Killer effectively kills flying insects including mosquitoes, moths and flies. Spray until thoroughly wet onto flies to quickly kill them.
On top of killing flies when you see them, you can also try methods to repel flies, so you don’t need to deal with them in the first place. So, what repels flies? It is known that essential oils such as peppermint, citronella and cinnamon may help deter flies. So you can try using these scents that flies hate to keep them away. Although these smells are pleasant to humans, these oils may deter flies and help to keep them at bay. That means you can enjoy the benefit of both a fresh smell and fly free home.
Or alternatively, for continuous protection, you can use Mortein NaturGard Multi-Insect Automatic Diffuser Kit, which is an automatic spray insecticide that has a eucalyptus scent.
How to keep flies away from your outdoors
If flies are making their way into your house, the problem is most likely originating from outdoors. Try these tips to keep flies away from your outdoors:
- Clean up any rubbish, animal droppings or food scraps from outside.
- Turn lights off at night, as bright lights can also attract flies.
Summary
Keeping flies at bay requires a mix of preventative and reactive measures. Here are the main ways to get rid of flies:
- Remove any decaying organic matter, garbage or food scraps flies can find and lay their eggs in.
- Ensure you’re using insect screens and keeping your doors and windows sealed in warmer months to keep the flies from entering your home.
- Try an insect killer spray for immediate elimination of any pesky flies that make their way into your house.
Sources
- SA Health. (2024). Managing flies after flooding. https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/d3c9e1004ed7228b8da2efb7
- Healthline. (Current Version 13 Februar, 2023). How to get rid of house flies. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-house-flies#summary
