How To Get Rid Of Houseflies (Natural Methods)

More than simply bothersome little buzzers, houseflies are avian intruders that may infect humans and dogs with their viruses. They also multiply quickly.

Natural remedies provide a safe and efficient alternative to toxic pesticides for controlling houseflies. These environmentally friendly pest control techniques safeguard human health and the environment. 

Housefly Life Cycle

Houseflies can proliferate swiftly due to their straightforward yet speedy life cycle. There are four primary stages to it:

  1. Egg: Female houseflies can lay up to 150 eggs at once, frequently in warm, wet areas such as trash or decomposing organic materials. In less than a day, these eggs hatch.
  2. Larva (Maggot): After hatching from the eggs, the larvae, or maggots, eat their environment. This phase lasts for three to five days.
  3. Pupa: The larvae look for dry places to pupate after eating. This phase takes two to six days.
  4. Adult: After emerging as adults, houseflies are prepared to procreate and restart the cycle in a few days.

Typical Causes Of Infestations

Food that is easily available attracts flies. They are drawn to food crumbs, exposed fruits, and leftovers.

Open garbage cans serve as a breeding ground and food source for pests. Fly eggs are deposited amid decomposing organic materials. 

Unscreened gaps provide easy access for flies. Access is made simple by open doors or broken screens.

Moisture attracts flies. Any standing water, including leaky faucets and overwatered plants, might draw them in.


Preventive Advice

Keeping things clean is essential to avoiding housefly infestations. Regularly clean your dining rooms, kitchen floors, and surfaces to keep flies away from spills and crumbs. 

Food should be kept in sealed containers, and perishables should be chilled. Keep your pet’s food unopened, and pay close attention to how you clean their eating locations. These bothersome guests are less likely to enter a tidy house.

A crack in a screen is a common entry point for houseflies. Look around your house for any possible openings.

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Fix or replace ripped window and door screens to prevent them from accessing. Apply weatherstripping or caulk to gaps around windows, doors, and vents to seal them.

A compelling first line of defense against flies is ensuring your house is well-sealed.

Appropriate Composting and Disposal Advice

Since flies are drawn to compost and rubbish, waste must be managed carefully. To avoid smells that attract flies, use sealed garbage cans and empty them often. 

To lessen odor during composting, use a covered bin and balance the amount of brown (rich in carbon) and green (rich in nitrogen) components.

To reduce fly attraction and hasten decomposition, turn the compost frequently. Properly handling garbage may reduce the number of possible fly breeding grounds.


DIY Fixes

How to Make Your Own Fly Spray

Making your fly repellent is a natural and efficient approach to keep flies away. This is a basic recipe:

  • 2 glasses of water
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar 
  • 10 drops of essential oil (peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus)
  • 1 sp. dish soap

Method

  1. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
  2. Thoroughly shake before using.
  3. Apply a mist near windows, doorways, and other flies-gathering locations.

Fly repellent made from natural ingredients is safe and effective without dangerous chemicals.

How to Use Cloves and Lemons as Natural Repellents

Cloves and lemons work well together as a natural insect repellent. This is how to apply them:

  1. Cut a lemon in half.
  2. Place many complete cloves within each part.
  3. Put the lemon halves on dining tables or kitchen counters where flies are an issue.

This is a straightforward yet efficient approach since flies are repulsed by the powerful aroma of cloves and citrus.

Cayenne Pepper Spray

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Method

  1. In a spray bottle, combine water and cayenne pepper.
  2. Give it a good shake to blend.
  3. Douse windows, doors, and other openings with a mist.

Flies are deterred from accessing treated areas by the spicy aroma.

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Pine Oil

  1. Dip a cotton ball into pine oil.
  2. The cotton ball should be placed close to doors, windows, and other fly-prone locations.

Flies are repulsed by the potent scent of pine, which causes them to stay away.

Essential Oil Diffuser 

  1. Pour water into a diffuser.
  2. Add five to ten drops of the essential oil of your choice. (peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus work well.)
  3. In regions where flies are active, turn on the diffuser.

As the scent grows, a fly-avoidable atmosphere is created.

Basil Plants 

  1. Grow your own or buy potted plants.
  2. Put them at doors, on kitchen counters, or on windowsills.

Flies are naturally repulsed by the strong basil aroma, which reduces their likelihood of entering.

Cucumber Slices 

  1. Cut fresh cucumbers into slices.
  2. Arrange the slices on windowsills or worktops, for example, where flies are common.

As a naturally occurring repellent, the fragrance of cucumbers repels flies.


Making Use Of Predators

An eco-friendly method of managing housefly numbers is to promote natural predators. Let harmless spiders live in certain places. They naturally capture flies and lower their population.

Promote beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps and beetles, which feed on the larvae of flying insects. 

Planting a variety of plants will draw these helpful buddies. Venus flytraps are an intriguing naturally occurring way to keep houseflies away. These plants, which eat animals, have jaw-like traps that close as prey settles within, drawing and holding flies. 

Venus flytraps are an interesting way to add some greenery to your home while also controlling fly populations. Place them in strategic places throughout the house. They’re an eco-friendly, low-maintenance option that blends natural beauty with pest management.

You can successfully control fly infestations and maintain local ecosystems by utilizing the power of nature.


Extra Advice

When used strategically, UV lamps may be valuable for managing houseflies. Flies are drawn to and trapped by these lights.

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Install UV light traps at entryways or kitchens where flies are most active. Place them far from other light sources to get the most out of them. For the best results, clean and maintain the traps regularly.


Maintaining Air Movement To Dissuade Flies

Maintaining movement in the air can help discourage flies, who prefer motionless air.

Use fans to create a wind in trouble spots. Oscillating or ceiling fans can interfere with their flight patterns and detract from room ambiance.

This easy technique keeps your house pleasant while reducing fly presence.


Last Words For Fly-Free Living

Beyond being an annoyance, houseflies present health hazards and disturb our tranquility. You can efficiently control and avoid infestations by learning about their routines and using natural treatments. 

Essential actions include controlling garbage, cleaning areas, and caulking access holes. Natural predators and homemade cures provide environmentally safe fly-repelling solutions without toxic chemicals.

Using these measures can encourage a healthy atmosphere and keep your home fly-free. Persistent work will ensure long-lasting outcomes and keep your home secure and comfy.

Lucy Young

Meet Lucy, a seasoned gardener with a green thumb and a wealth of experience cultivated over 10 years in her own backyard oasis. Now, she channels her passion into writing, sharing invaluable gardening knowledge on her website. From nurturing plants to expert pruning techniques, Lucy's articles are a treasure trove for both seasoned enthusiasts and budding gardeners. Join her on this leafy journey as she sprinkles insights, tips, and tricks to help you create your own flourishing paradise. Get ready to dig into her gardening wisdom and unlock the secrets of a thriving garden!

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