Houseflies are not only a nuisance, they can also transmit diseases. With these simple, natural tactics, you’ll chase them away for good.
With the persistence of warm weather comes an annual nuisance: houseflies. Those little black insects that rub against your face, buzz in your ears and land on your food may seem like a harmless (albeit incessant) irritation, but they’re much more than that: Houseflies (officially known as Musca domestica) can carry pathogens and cause disease.
At first, you may only see one fly, but females can lay five to six batches of 100 eggs, which hatch within 12 to 24 hours. To avoid an infestation, it is important to take a multi-pronged approach, and quickly. Prevent houseflies from becoming a problem by implementing these six strategies.
Ways House Flies Can Harm Humans
Houseflies don’t sting or bite as painfully as bees, wasps and horseflies (their larger cousins), so they may seem harmless. But because flies are constantly moving in and out of garbage, manure and decaying matter, it is easy for them to acquire bacteria that can contaminate food. Transmission usually occurs when a fly regurgitates onto food or surfaces that humans touch.
This contamination can be the cause of several diseases:
- Food poisoning
- Dysentery
- Cholera
- E. coli
- Typhoid fever
- Tuberculosis
- Eye infections
How to get rid of flies indoors: 6 natural and effective methods
If you are faced with a high number of flies at home, don’t use an insecticide right away. There are many things you can do to make your environment less welcoming to these insects and to chase away the ones that have already gotten in. The more you can do right away, the better. Flies multiply quickly.
- Seal the entrance.
It can be difficult to keep flies away when your home is occupied by family members, pets and visitors coming and going, but it’s the best way to block insects from entering. Repair damaged screens on door and window screens. Caulk around windows to seal gaps and small cracks where flies can enter. Consider putting a quick-closing magnetic screen on high-traffic doors, such as those leading to a deck or patio. And, of course, don’t leave garage or basement doors open for long periods of time.
2-Eliminate baits.
To make your home less hospitable to flies, eliminate or minimize items that attract them. First, don’t leave food scraps on countertops or tables, especially if they are not covered. Fruit – especially apples – and vinegar are especially attractive to houseflies. Don’t leave crumbs on countertops, wash dishes soon after eating instead of leaving them in the sink, and make sure the dishwasher door is closed tightly.Also watch out for compost, garbage and pet food. These items also attract flies and can quickly become breeding grounds. Take all composting materials outside immediately. Keep bins covered and take out trash regularly. Clean or completely cover your pets’ bowls between meals, especially if you feed them wet food.
- Attract insects with light.
Insects are attracted to light. If your house is infested with flies, this tip will help you chase them away: On a sunny day, close the door to the room where the flies are and close the blinds and curtains, except for one opening that lets in light. Open this window wide to the outside. The flies will be attracted to the light and will come out.
- Swat, Suck, Swat
Despite prevention tactics, flies can still sneak into your home. Fight flies with an old-fashioned fly swatter or rolled-up newspaper, using proper technique. Good eyesight and sharp reflexes are an advantage in fly control. A house fly has a nearly 360-degree view. Therefore, it is best to approach from behind and hover over it before delivering a quick, decisive blow with the gun. Flies are one of the few insects that are actively affected by color. Use a fly swatter of a neutral shade to be more discreet.
Another way to repel flies is to vacuum them up directly. Stand a few inches behind you with the vacuum cleaner running to suck them up. Use this method only with bagged vacuums, and dispose of the bag immediately after thwarting the infestation so flies don’t come in and out of your home again.
If you prefer a passive but ready-to-use technique, hang quality flypaper. Make your own sticky traps by coating strips of kraft paper with a sticky mixture of water, sugar and honey or syrup, or buy ready-made flypaper on the Internet. Insects will stick to them when they buzz, and are more likely to do so when they try to escape your swatting.
- Build and bait a natural fly trap.
Use a simple all-natural homemade fly trap to attract and trap unwanted insects. All you need is a plastic container, plastic wrap and fly bait (such as fruit, vinegar or apple cider vinegar). Place the fly trap in a corner to attract and trap flies, and remove them when you’ve won the battle. If DIY isn’t your thing, buy a fly trap to catch and kill flies. - Use houseplants to repel flies.
Potted plants and essential oils can be part of your fly repellent arsenal. An indoor herb garden with mint, lavender and basil is a good way to combat flies. Place them on a kitchen windowsill and flies will be less likely to enter. You can also add a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray door and window frames frequently to keep flies away.
Using insecticides and repellents to get rid of flies
If the above methods fail to solve a fly infestation, you can resort to insecticides and repellents. We recommend that you do so only as a last resort. Products containing permethrin are considered to be the most effective and widely used fly repellents. However, many of these sprays and foggers are designed for outdoor use. If your fly problem is indoors, look for a safe, effective, non-toxic insecticide for indoor use. Consider consulting a major pest control company, such as Orkin or Erlich, to find out how to safely treat a large infestation.
Question : What are the flies a sign of?
If you see flies swarming in a small area, it may be a sign of decaying food or waste, a pet grooming accident or a dead animal. But often, flies in the house are not a “sign” of anything in particular. The insects have simply flown in and are looking for a suitable place to feed and breed.
Question : What scent repels flies?
Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, basil, cinnamon and lemongrass are natural scents that keep flies away. Flies also don’t like the strong smell of camphor, an organic compound.
