5 Ways to Keep Flies Out of Your Home

House flies can be one of the most annoying pests around, and since they are so abundant, there isn’t precisely a professional pest control solution for pesky flies. There are, however, some simple and natural at home tips and tricks that may help control their population in your home. In this article, we will review things to include in your daily routines and some DIY options to help reduce the fly population in and around your home.

 

Reduce Food Sources

While it’s near impossible to completely eliminate all food sources in your home, there are steps you can take to minimize the number of sources available. Start with keeping dishes rinsed rather than allowing leftover food to sit out in the open. Even leftover particles on plates are enough to attract flies over for a quick meal. If you drink soda, try rinsing your cans before throwing them in the recycle or trash. The sugar content is very attractive to flies, so removing this option will definitely help!

Add a lid to your trash and compost bins to help control odors that typically attract flies. If you have any pets, it’s a good idea to remove any leftover pet food from their bowls. Measured feedings of an amount that you know your pet will consume in a single feeding is one way to reduce pet food waste and stop flies from buzzing around the food bowls.

These are just a few examples of ways to keep the food sources down and can go a long way in ensuring the fly population within your home stays under control.

 

Find The Entrance Point(s)

Aside from slipping in with opening and closing of doors, flies are able to enter your home in a number of ways. If you’re finding you have an excessive number of flies in your home, then it’s time to figure out where they are coming from! The first places to check will be the screens, if you have a screen door or screens on your windows, then be sure to check for any holes or loose edges. Be sure to examine the edges of your windows to ensure there is a good seal be sure to re-caulk as needed. If your doors have weatherstripping, ensure these are still intact.

Getting these common entrances patched up will help keep your home fly free.

 

Clean Up Pet Debris

If you have cats or dogs their waste is a common attraction for flies to lay their eggs. A single fly lays anywhere from 75 to 150 eggs in one laying, and pet waste is one of their favorite egg laying spots. It just takes 24 hours for fly eggs to hatch, so if you are having a fly issue, try including pet waste scooping in your daily routine.

DIY Fly Traps and sprays

There are a number of DIY fly trap options available on youtube and Pinterest. An alternative is to purchase some fly tape at your local hardware store. For sprays, use essential oils of herbs and plants that flies dislike. A spray bottle with water and just enough essential oil for a noticeable fragrance. Some common fragrances that flies dislike include clove, mint, lemongrass, basil, and lavender.

 

Some Houseplants Deter Flies

If you love to garden and are looking for a natural way to keep the pesky flies out of your way, try keeping herbs in and around your home to help convince the flies that your space is not somewhere they want to be. Herbs such as lavender, mint, lemongrass, and basil are just a few options that flies have adverse reactions to. Planting these herbs in pots and strategically placing them around and within your home will help keep your house fly-free.

 

Final Thoughts

These few tips and tricks will go a long way in helping reduce the fly population in your home. If you find you are having a different kind of pest problem, be sure to give us a call at Total Pest Solutions for a professional review.