How to Get Rid of Flies

Want to learn how to get rid of flies? If so, below are 20 simple ways you can do today to kill flies naturally and fast. Try now to get rid of them for good.

Flies can put a real hindrance on your enjoyment of life, but they don’t have too. When you need to know how to get rid of flies, there are some simple solutions.

Whether you prefer natural remedies or the tried and tested commercial products on the market, you are sure to find something to get rid of flies fast.

Understanding Them

Before you try to fight back against any problem, it is always wise to inform yourself first.

To fully understand how to get rid of flies in the house, let’s learn more about them. But understanding the problem, you will be more apt to find a solution.

What Are Flies

Flies don’t typically live in groups despite the fact that they seem to all congregate together. They spend much of their time alone, looking for various food sources.

They like to live in trash and dirt. Part of the items they’ll feed on include decaying matter, fecal matter and trash.

Typically, you will find flies that are gray or black and covered in small hair. They contain one pair of clear wings.

The female fly is slightly larger than male flies. In addition, they can live for about one month in good conditions.

Varieties of Flies

Did you know that there are about 16,000 types of flies just in North America? Here are a few that you are probably familiar with:

1. Mosquitos

Many people don’t consider the mosquito a fly, but they do come from the same family. These pesky creatures can carry many diseases harmful to humans.

2. House Flies

These common flies will breed in dumpsters, garbage cans, fermenting vegetables and manure. A female house fly is capable of laying up to 150 eggs at once.

The female fly will live for about 30 days and can lay eggs about 6 times. If you do the math, you’ll see that is up to 900 eggs in just 30 days!

These eggs produce maggots which tend to survive best in warmer temperatures. Eventually, they’ll seek out cooler and drier areas to survive in.

2. Gnat

You may have thought of these as baby flies, but they are adults. Female gnats commonly feed on human blood.

In addition, they can carry parasites and diseases to livestock and humans.

3. Fruit Fly

With over 170 species of fruit flies, it can feel like you find them anywhere. Fruit flies prefer moist environments to live in.

The female lays 500 eggs in a single lifespan which is typically only about 22 days. The eggs will be found in fruit or vegetables that remain unsealed.

You can also find fruit fly eggs in drains, leftover food particles and mops.

4. Horse Fly

A horse fly is one of the larger species and can be about an inch long. You’ll notice a horse fly by the painful bite that leads to inflammation and swelling.

Thankfully, it will usually heal on its own within a couple days, despite being painful.

Dangers with Flies

When looking at how to get rid of flies outside, it is also important to know that flies can be dangerous. They have the capacity to carry numerous diseases such as:

• Cholera
• Dysentery
• Thyphoid

The diseases will live on the fly’s mouth and legs. Within seconds, they’ve transferred them from their body to your food.

Some of these symptoms can appear as common diseases such as:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Nausea and Vomiting

Other Fun Facts about Flies

• Flies can be genetically similar to people
• Flies are capable of seeing behind themselves
• Fruit flies have been found in space
• Some flies will mimic other insects for protection

How to Get Rid of Flies Naturally

It is possible to learn how to get rid of flies naturally as there has been a significant amount of research on the subject.

When you want to learn how to get rid of flies with home remedies, check out these solutions:

1. Water-Filled Plastic Bags

This is one of the most popular home remedies when dealing with flies. The water distorts the vision of the fly and produces reflections.

1. Because it reminds them of a spider web, they’ll avoid it at all costs.
2. Fill a gallon-sized plastic bag half full with water.
3. Zip the top and make sure it is closed all the way
4. Hang in doorways on any other entry point where flies enter.

Read more: 25 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Sugar Ants

2. Cloves

Cloves offer an aroma that flies can’t tolerate. If you mix this with lemon, you’ve created a strong repellent.

1. Cut your lemon in half.
2. Poke up to 12 cloves into the lemon half with the bud sticking out.
3. Put them on a plate when eating outdoors

This can also work with an apple if need be.

3. Wine

Most flies are attracted to white and red wines. You can use this to your advantage to kill them.

1. Pour ½-cup of wine in a glass
2. Put the glass in a fly-infested area
3. Flies are naturally attracted to it and will drown.
4. Repeat these steps as often as needed to rid your home of flies.

Read more: How to Get Rid of German Roaches

4. Homemade Fly Strips

Commercial flypapers can contain chemicals you might want to avoid. Making your own will relieve this issue.

1. Cut some brown paper into 2-inch wide strips.
2. Put a hole in the end of each and tie a string on it.
3. Mix ½-cup corn syrup with ¼-cup sugar in a bowl.
4. Coat your strip with the mixture on just one side.
5. Hang this in an area that is infested with flies.
6. It is wise to set a bowl underneath in case it drips.
7. Flies that become attracted to the syrup will find themselves stuck to the strip.
8. Throw away used strips and replace with new ones regularly.

Read more: How to Get Rid of Flying Ants

5. Milk, Sugar & Pepper

In England, they have been using this remedy for years.

1. Mix ½-liter milk, ¼-cup sugar and 4 tablespoons of black pepper in a saucepan.
2. Simmer for 10-15 minutes; be sure to stir well.
3. Pour the mixture into shallow bowls while still hot.
4. Place the bowls in your fly-infested spaces.
5. Replace the mixture as needed.

Read more: 9 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away

6. Honey Trap

Honey is a known fly attractant so it is perfect to use for a sticky trap.

1. Cut a plastic soda bottle in half with the bottom half taller than the top.
2. Fill the bottom with water halfway.
3. Put in a few drops of dish soap and stir.
4. Put 2 teaspoons of honey in the mouth of the bottle.
5. By turning the top half upside down, you’ll place it inside the bottom half.
6. Put this in areas infested with flies.
7. The flies will come to the honey will fall through the funnel and drown.

7. Essential Oils

Essential oils are becoming popular for a variety of home remedies and pest control is a good area to try them out.

There are a bunch of oils that can be diffused or applied externally to distract flies from becoming pesky. Some of the popular options are:

• Lavender
• Citronella
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Pennyroyal
• Lemongrass

If you plan to apply essential oils to your skin, be sure that you properly dilute them first.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Flies love the smell of fermented products. Heating apple cider vinegar is a great way to attract flies.

1. Pour ½-cup apple cider vinegar into a mason jar. Be sure to heat it first.
2. Poke fly-size holes in the lid. If you prefer to maintain the lid, just place a funnel on the top instead.
3. Set the jar inside any fly-infested spot.
4. The flies will follow the scent through the holes and become trapped.

How to Get Rid of Flies in Your House

When you are infested with flies, you are naturally going to wonder how to get rid of flies in your house. Commercial products always produce fast results and many of them will also help you figure out how to get rid of flies in the yard.

Here are some of the more popular options:

1. Fly Baits and Traps

Aside from making your homemade traps, there are also commercial fly baits and traps on the market. Some of these are referred to as fly tape or fly ribbon.

This device attracts the fly and they land on the adhesive section. This part will stick them to the trap.

Your best bet is to hang them near the ceiling so humans won’t accidentally get caught in them.

The nice thing about these traps is that they often attract other insects as well. You’ll find that flypaper also works well with mosquitos.

There is another trap available called the bug vacuum. While it is small, you’ll find this powerful cleaner works well and only needs batteries.

A suction will trap the fly inside where it can dehydrate and die. There are some options that allow the safe release of flies into the outdoors instead.

2. Dusting Powders

Dusting powders can be used in partnership with other fly killers for optimal results. While the powder won’t kill the flies, it does help to control their entry.

Apply the powder in an area where the flies will enter. You might find that these are also a useful way to treat areas around appliances or outlets where sprays can’t be used.

3. Sprays

Sprays are insecticides that tend to come in an aerosol can to be sprayed directly on flies. It will also kill wasps and many other varieties of flying insects.

4. Fogs

Foggers sometimes become a necessary treatment for dealing with flies. When using a fogger, you need more preparation and materials than other treatment options.

5. Electronic Fly Killers

Light traps can be used indoors and will attract flies into the device. Many restaurants and commercial buildings will use these products.

Electronic bug zappers use electrocution to kill flies. Most times, these small tools will be used in outdoor spaces.

Be sure that you look for zappers with safety precautions on them to prevent accidental zapping.
If you want more control over the death of the flies, an electric flyswatter would be a good option. They look like a tennis racket and zap the flies on contact.

Obviously, these zappers aren’t safe to use in the company of pets or children.

6. Swatters

A safer version of the electric models is an old-fashioned manual swatter. These are used to hit flies and will kill them on contact.

They are found at mass retailers and many dollar stores. If you enjoy the challenge of killing a fly, you might even want to pick up a fly gun.

They are spring-loaded projectiles that shoot the fly when you pull the trigger. You can find these in novelty or toy stores.

How to Get Rid of Gnats and Fruit Flies in the House

There are some simple ways to help learn how to get rid of gnats and fruit flies.

• Ensure that all your window screens are intact. Replace them if necessary as a way to answer how to get rid of fruit flies.
• Fill a mason jar with 2 tablespoons of dish soap and water. Leave this on the kitchen counter to kill flies.
• Mix a clove oil cleaning solution for the kitchen.
• Eat all your fruits and vegetables before they begin to rot. Avoid leaving them lay around the house.
• Put cedar wood chips in the yard and around the house to repel flies.

Many of these ideas are also going to work when trying to figure out how to get rid of little flies.

Read more: 31 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

How to Get Rid of Horse Flies

Horse flies seem like a different species altogether and it can be difficult to figure out how to get rid of horse flies. Here are some simple suggestions that should help you rid yourself of this pest.

Horse flies are ferocious plus they contain tearing and cutting mouth parts that can cause a good deal of pain. Not only are they are a nuisance to livestock but to household pets as well.

If you get bit by a horsefly, you might experience some of these symptoms:

• Thick, red discolored skin
• Skin itch with pain
• Bacterial infections
• Body rash, hives or wheezing
• Swelling around the lips or eyes

While a bite isn’t normally dangerous, it would be wise to seek medical attention if the symptoms are troublesome to you.

Horse flies enjoy humid conditions and can often be found close to lakes or beaches. Here are the most common ways to get rid of horse flies:

• Use a disposable fly trap; either commercial or homemade.
• Place sticky fly paper in infested areas. You can use odor attractants such as nail polish remover, ammonia or even cow urine.
• Use a homemade repellant of 1 part of lavender oil, 2 parts of water and 2 parts of alcohol.
• Use insecticide on livestock if all else fails. Just be sure it is a product that is safe to use on cattle.
• Keep your animals clean.
• Remove any standing water.
• Trim your lawn and make sure there are no overgrown weeds or grass.

How to Get Rid of Flies Fast

If you need to learn how to get rid of flies fast, the quickest option is an aerosol fly killer. While this isn’t the best way to control the infestation, sometimes you just need them gone now.

This works well for how to get rid of flies indoors or even how to get rid of flies outside on the patio. Either way, if you are about to have company over, the last thing you want is to have a bunch of flies landing on food.

Read more: Top 5 Products You Should Use to Kill Flies Effectively

How to Get Rid of Flies on Porch

When you have flies congregating on the porch, you know how quickly they can enter the home. Here’s how to get rid of flies on the porch.

There are several plants and herbs that can be placed inside pots and put on your front porch. Some of the more popular plants that repel flies are:

• Sweet basil
• Lavender
• Bay Laurel
• Tansy
• Citronella Grass
• Wormwood

You could even place some of these around the house if you have other areas of infestation. In fact, placing them outside your garage doors is a great way when looking at how to get rid of flies in the garage.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

If you encounter moth flies, otherwise known as sewer gnats, you are going to want to know how to get rid of drain flies. They are tiny and fuzzy plus if you see one, chances are you have a couple hundred!

Many people mistake drain flies for fruit flies because they are small and hang out in groups. They are quite different though.

Drain flies will lay their eggs in the food, hair and grease that have built up inside the drain. They can lay up to 200 eggs at a time. Thankfully, getting rid of them doesn’t take too much work.

Follow these instructions for quick extermination:

1. Find the drain they are coming from.
2. Grab a pipe brush and plumbing snake to clean the sides of the pipe.
3. It will be difficult to clean everything out of the drain, so follow this step up with a quality drain cleaner.
4. Take the plunger to the drain. It will remove any leftover debris that was missed.
5. Maintain clean drains to prevent infestation in the future.

Read more: 20 Simple Ways to Kill Roaches

How to Keep Your House Free of Flies

Once you’ve removed all the flies from your home, you need to take steps to prevent further infestation. Here are some tips to help keep your house clean and free of these pests.

1. Food

Make sure that all food is cleaned up promptly. You need to store leftovers in airtight containers where flies cannot get to it.

Be sure you also wipe down the counters and sink after cooking to ensure there is no food waste leftover.

2. Kitchen Care

As soon as your meal is complete, you’ll want to wash the dishes. It is also wise to pour a little bleach into the drain to discourage any rotting food.

On a regular basis, you need to clean under and around kitchen appliances. This should include your dishwasher, stove and refrigerator.

When dealing with kitchen trash, it is always wise to use a garbage disposal. When this isn’t possible, put all waste in a covered garbage can.

Change the garbage frequently and make sure the trash can is also cleaned. Bleach is a great way to kill germs and keep the garbage can fresh.

3. Household Cleaning

After cleaning the house, make sure you wash all rags thoroughly. In addition, you need to hang all your mops to dry.

4. Pets and Children

When you have a baby at home, you know that a lot of diapers get changed. Get rid of the diapers immediately so you don’t attract flies.

You could also use a diaper pail, but be sure that they get cleaned out frequently just like a trash can should.

If you have cats, it is important that the cat litter gets changed often.

5. Home Maintenance

Flies will find multiple ways to get into the home, that’s why maintenance is an important part of pest control.

Make sure that all the screens on doors and windows are in good condition. If they have rips or holes, replace them.

If you have open vents in the home, you need to screen them to prevent insects and rodents from entering.
Seal any spaces or cracks around the house. This is especially important when dealing with the area around the pipes.

Keep your lawn mowed and trimmed. Unruly grass and shrubs will encourage the further infestation of flies as well as other insects.

Read more: How to Kill Termites Naturally and Fast

Final Thoughts

Now that you’ve learned how to get rid of flies, you are ready to take action. Whether you choose to use an all-natural route or purchase a commercial product, you know that there is a remedy for all circumstances.

Fight back against the flies and start enjoying your time at home more.

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