7 Easy DIY Tips to Get Rid of Houseflies 7 Tips

If your home is facing the problem of flies buzzing around constantly, whether you're cooking, eating, or relaxing, you have to keep an eye out for flies buzzing around, causing irritation, disturbing your peace of mind, and potentially carrying diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, or food poisoning. For everyone's health and hygiene in the house, managing flies is something you should never overlook.

But don't worry because today we have 7 easy ways to get rid of flies, which will help you eliminate those annoying flies and prevent them from entering your home effectively on your own, without needing harmful chemicals.

7 Ways to Get Rid of Flies and Prevent Them from Entering Your Home

With this hot weather, nobody wants those pesky little but troublesome flies buzzing around the house, right? In addition to annoying you during various activities, flies are also vectors for harmful diseases that can affect your health. But don't worry, we have 7 ways to get rid of flies, along with tips on preventing them from entering your home. This will definitely keep your home free from bothersome flies!

1. Garlic Smell

The strong smell of garlic is another natural remedy that can effectively repel flies. Flies dislike the strong scent of garlic, making them avoid areas where garlic is present. You can use garlic's odor in various ways to get rid of flies.

The easiest method is to peel garlic and place it in areas where flies are likely to gather, such as the kitchen, near trash bins, or on the dining table. You can also cut garlic into small pieces and place them in small bowls in corners or places where flies tend to enter.

Alternatively, boil water and crush garlic into it, let it cool, strain the liquid, and put it in a spray bottle. You can then spray the garlic solution in areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or around the house. An even more advanced method is planting garlic around your house or in pots to prevent flies from entering. Garlic is a natural, safe method for people, pets, and the environment. It is easy to find and inexpensive.

Besides repelling flies, it also helps eliminate unpleasant odors. However, the garlic smell may be too strong for some people, so use it in moderation and be cautious about leaving stains on certain surfaces.

Furthermore, garlic can be combined with other methods to increase its effectiveness. For example, placing fresh garlic near fly traps to attract flies or mixing garlic water with dishwashing liquid to spray and repel flies is also possible.

2. Vinegar Spray

Vinegar is another versatile item in the kitchen that can be used effectively to get rid of flies. Flies dislike the pungent smell of vinegar, which makes it a good solution for repelling them. The method is simple: mix vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio or adjust the ratio according to the desired intensity.

If you prefer a milder scent, you can use 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water, then put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar solution in areas where flies tend to gather, such as the kitchen, bathroom, trash cans, dining table, or any spots flies like to frequent.

You can even spray it on window screens to prevent flies from entering the house. If you choose this method, be aware that vinegar can damage certain surfaces, like wooden floors or marble.

Test it on a small area before use, and make sure to ventilate the area since vinegar's scent can be quite strong.

3. Lemongrass

Lemongrass, a traditional Thai herb, is commonly used in cooking and for repelling mosquitoes, but did you know that lemongrass is also great at repelling flies? Flies dislike the scent of the essential oils in lemongrass, so you can use it to get rid of and prevent flies in your home in several ways. Place whole lemongrass stalks in places where flies tend to gather, like the kitchen, near trash bins, or on the dining table. Crush or chop the lemongrass stalks to release more fragrance, then place them in corners or areas where flies usually enter. You can also cut the lemongrass into small pieces, boil it with water, let it cool, strain it, and put it in a spray bottle. If it's more convenient for you, you can use lemongrass essential oil mixed with water in a spray bottle and spray it in areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or around the house.

You can even plant lemongrass around your house or in pots to help keep flies away. Plus, it serves as a beautiful decoration. Another option is to burn whole or chopped lemongrass stalks to create smoke that will repel flies, but be cautious of fire hazards.

4. Fly Trap

A fly trap is another popular and highly effective way to eliminate flies. These traps are easy to use, safe, and ideal for homes, restaurants, hotels, or places where flies are a problem. Fly traps work by attracting flies with light, as flies instinctively fly toward light (positive phototaxis).

The light used in fly traps is in the wavelength range that flies can clearly see. Once the flies are attracted, they are either trapped with adhesive or zapped with electricity. There are three main types of fly traps:

• Adhesive Fly Traps: These use UV light to attract flies to adhesive sheets, where they get stuck and cannot escape.
• Electric Fly Killers: These use UV light to attract flies and then electrocute them.
• Fan-based Fly Traps: These use a fan to suck flies into the trap. We recommend the Lumnia Fly Trap by Rentokil, a leader in pest control. This model uses UV LED light to effectively attract flies, saving energy and providing long-lasting light bulbs. It can be installed in restaurants, hotels, factories, food production facilities, or other places without disturbing the view. It’s safe and hygienic as it uses no chemicals.

5. Basil Leaves

Basil, another common Thai herb used in cooking, also has excellent fly-repellent properties. The unique scent of basil leaves is something flies dislike. You can use basil leaves to get rid of and prevent flies from entering your home in several ways. The most common method is to place fresh basil leaves in areas where flies gather, such as the kitchen, near trash bins, or on the dining table. Gently crush the leaves to release more scent and increase its potency.

Alternatively, you can boil basil leaves with water, let it cool, strain it, and put the liquid in a spray bottle. You can also use basil essential oil mixed with water in a spray bottle and spray it in places like the kitchen, bathroom, or around the house. Another option is to plant basil around your house or in pots to keep flies away and beautify your home. Lastly, you can dry the basil leaves and burn them to create smoke that will repel flies (be cautious of fire hazards).

6. Lemon Peel

Lemon peel is another great way to repel flies due to the essential oils it contains. Flies are repelled by the scent of these oils, so you can use lemon peel to effectively prevent flies from entering your home.

The simplest method is to place fresh lemon peels in areas where flies like to gather, such as the kitchen, near trash bins, or on the dining table. Crush or squeeze the peels to release the fragrance and enhance its effectiveness. Another method is to wrap lemon peels in cheesecloth and use them to wipe surfaces where flies like to land, such as tables, kitchen counters, or floors.

The essential oils from the lemon peel will help repel flies while also cleaning and deodorizing surfaces. Alternatively, you can boil lemon peel with water, let it cool, strain it, and put it in a spray bottle to spray in areas where flies are common.

7. Chrysanthemum Flowers

Many people may know chrysanthemum flowers as ornamental plants, but did you know they also have a hidden benefit? Chrysanthemums contain a natural substance called pyrethrins, which can effectively repel various pests, including flies. This substance interferes with the fly's nervous system, eventually paralyzing and killing them. To use chrysanthemums to repel flies, follow these methods:

• Plant Chrysanthemums: Plant chrysanthemums around your house or in pots to keep flies at bay. This is a natural, safe method that doesn’t leave chemical residues and adds beauty to your home.
• Chrysanthemum Spray: Crush 2-3 chrysanthemums and mix them with 1 cup of water. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then strain the liquid. Spray this solution in areas where flies gather.

And these are 7 simple methods for dealing with bothersome flies that you can easily apply. Try them out, and you’ll be sure to have a clean, safe, and fly-free home. But if the fly problem in your home is too overwhelming to handle or you need a quicker, more efficient solution, don’t let flies invade your personal space any longer.

Let Rentokil, the pest control experts, take care of your fly problem. With their professional, safe, and standard-compliant pest control services, you can rest assured. Contact Rentokil today for a clean, clear, and worry-free environment.