Summer is a time for opening windows to let in fresh air and hosting outdoor barbecues for family and friends. But nothing can ruin the fun faster than pesky flies buzzing around. These little troublemakers seem to be everywhere, landing on your food, sneaking into your home, and making a general nuisance of themselves.
Fortunately, there are some effective ways to keep these house flies away and enjoy a bug-free summer. You can set some traps with natural remedies or readily available UV-light sources and take some preventive measures to ensure living hygiene.
Flies Increase in Summer — Why?
Flies thrive in warm weather and humid conditions. The summer heat accelerates their breeding cycle, leading to rapid growth. In case of irritating or entering homes, houseflies and fruit flies are the most common and bothersome pests. These types of flies are particularly notorious for spreading infestation and contaminating food surfaces.
As summer is synonymous with abundant food sources, this makes it an appealing season for most pests and so for fly species. The open food left out or garbage bins, ripe and fermenting fruits, and floral fragrances draw flies into the home or around decaying matter.
To effectively deal with flies, it is essential to recognize their breeding habits and attractable sources.
Prevent Flies from Entering Your Home
The best way to avoid flies is to maintain the hygiene of your living environment and prevent keeping the attractive sources. Once they move inside or make their way in, it can be tough to get rid of them, so it is best to keep them out in the first place.
Close the Doors on Them
Flies find their way inside through small openings. So firstly, keep those doors closed! It might sound simple, but even the tiniest hole can give them a way to move in. If you are heading in or out, make sure to close the door behind you. Install window screens and use door sweeps to block all possible entries. If you spot any holes or cracks, repair them before summer.
In our recommendation for pest control, installing a screen door or windows is best to keep the flies and other insects out while allowing fresh air in.
Keep Things Clean – Flies Love a Mess!
Maintain a clean environment in your home. Flies are basically little food scavengers. If you leave dirty dishes in the sink or crumbs on the counter, consider it an open invitation to them.
- Take the trash out regularly and use bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Wipe out kitchen counters, dining tables, and spills immediately.
- Store food in airtight containers and refrigerate them as flies are drawn to fruity smells and leftovers.
- If you do have fruits sitting out, make sure to eat them before they get overripe.
- Promptly clean up pet droppings and livestock waste to eliminate a breeding ground for flies.
- Keep the outer yard tidy – remove rotting leaves and prevent standing water.
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of House Flies
Sometimes, preventive measures are insufficient and flies wiggle through openings that seem too small. There are plenty of remedies you can try to send them packing without resorting to harsh chemicals.
The Vinegar & Dish Soap Trap – Flies Can’t Resist It
Flies love the smell of apple cider vinegar, so create a trap with their favourite scent.
- Pour some ACV into the bowl and mix a few drops of dish soap in it.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke some holes so flies move in
- Set it out near fly-prone areas.
The vinegar’s aroma will attract the flies, but the soap will stick them in and prevent their escape.
Essential Oils – Smells Great for You, Terrible for Flies
Strong scents like lemongrass, peppermint, and lavender help repel the flies away from home. These essential oils also make your space smell nice and give fresh appeal while keeping the infestation outside
- Mix a few drops of any oil mentioned above with water in a spray bottle.
- Spritz around windows, doors and garbage bins.
- Soak the cotton balls in the oil and place them where flies buzz mostly.
Grow Fly-Repelling Plants – Keep Flies Out!
Certain plants naturally repel flies and other pesky insects. Grow them in your garden or keep them inside the home to enjoy a fly-free space – while making your surroundings look and smell amazing.
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- Basil – Place a pot in the kitchen to have fresh garnish in hand too.
- Mint – Try potting some on your windowsill or around entry points. Refreshing!
- Marigold – Perfect for the garden; flies dislike the smell.
- Cloves – Grab some dried cloves and place a bowl of them in rooms or where you see a lot of fly action.
- Lavender – Repels moths and mosquitoes too. Place at entryways or dry some for indoor use.
Other plants that could be effective options to grow in the garden and reduce the infestations are lemongrass, rosemary, and petunia.
Effective Commercial Fly Control Solutions
If natural remedies don’t work and flies are still buzzing around in your living space, try some active control measures. They are effective and give prompt results.
Insect Traps — Catch Them in Act
Different types of traps are available to lure flies in and prevent them from escaping.
- Sticky Fly Trap – Hanging strips with adhesive surfaces.
- UV Light Trap – Bright lights to attract flies and then zap or trap them.
- Bait Trap – Contains an attractant that lures flies inside.
Pyrethrin-Based Insecticides – Quick Elimination
These insecticides are commonly used for indoor fly infestations as they provide quick results. It can be applied in various ways:
- Sprayed in areas where flies are prevalent. But it is a short-term solution.
- Make a concentrated solution with water to treat areas with severe infestation.
- Hold the aerosol can upright and spray in a short burst, ensuring coverage of the target area.
Aerosol fly sprays kill immediately on contact and are great for emergencies.
Professional Pest Control – Despite Your Best Efforts!
If you see hundreds of flies daily, or they keep coming back no matter what you do, you will likely have a breeding site nearby. It is better to call a professional before the infestation escalates to diseases. Pest control experts can assess your situation and use advanced strategies to eradicate flies effectively. They can locate the hidden nests and provide long-term solutions.
Wrapping up!
Managing fly infestations during the summer requires a combination of prevention and active control measures. Start by cleaning your home and sealing all the possible entry points. If flies persist, utilize traps or natural repellents, and for emergency treatment, use fly sprays to reduce their presence. Proactive strategies allow you to enjoy a fly-free outdoors and comfortable living.
