How to Get Rid of Flies Outside

Outdoor spaces are great for relaxation, barbecues, and family gatherings. However, flies can ruin the experience and become a major annoyance. Thankfully, there are various ways to get rid of flies outside, from natural repellents to traps and plant-based solutions. Here’s a breakdown of some effective strategies you can use to keep flies at bay and regain your outdoor living spaces.

Using Natural Repellents

Natural repellents are a great way to keep flies away without harming the environment or humans. Essential oils, herbs, and vinegar are some of the most popular natural repellents you can use.

Essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree can be diluted and applied to surfaces or diffused in the air to repel flies. Herbs like basil, bay leaves, and mint can also be planted or added to flower beds to deter flies. Vinegar can be mixed with water and sprayed on surfaces as a natural fly repellent.

To effectively use natural repellents, apply them to any surfaces where flies gather, such as patios, outdoor furniture, and trash cans. You can also add the essential oils or herbs to water and spray them around the outdoor area to create a barrier for the flies.

Keeping Your Space Clean

Keeping outdoor spaces clean is another effective way to prevent fly infestations. Flies are attracted to decaying organic matter and food residues, so cleaning up debris, sweeping, and washing surfaces can reduce fly populations.

You should also regularly check for standing water around your outdoor area. Pools of stagnant water can attract flies which can lay their eggs on the water surface. Emptying and cleaning any containers holding water like buckets, rain barrels, or birdbaths can prevent fly breeding grounds.

Traps

Another effective way to get rid of flies outside is to use traps. Traps can be homemade or purchased and come in various types such as sticky traps, baited traps, and UV light traps.

Sticky traps work by attracting flies to sticky surfaces where they get stuck and eventually die. These traps are non-toxic but should be placed away from high traffic areas to avoid human contact. Baited traps use fly attractants like food aromas or pheromones to lure flies, and once the flies move closer, they are trapped in the device. UV light traps use ultraviolet light to attract flies and once trapped, the flies die due to the heat emitted from the device.

When using traps, they should be placed in areas that are frequently used by flies, such as near garbage cans, compost piles, and dog waste areas. It’s best to position the traps away from the areas where people often gather to reduce any possible discomfort or distractions caused by the traps.

Plants that Repel Flies

Certain plants have chemical substances that can repel flies, making them an excellent addition to outdoor spaces. Plants like marigold, lavender, basil, mint, and lemongrass are some of the natural repellent plants that you can add to your garden or flower beds to amplify their natural fly-repelling properties.

To enjoy maximum repelling benefits from these plants, you need to ensure they are well taken care of by regularly watering them, pruning, or mulching them. You can also place these plants near outdoor sitting areas or windows that are usually open to ensure that flies are kept far away from your space.

Manage Waste

Proper waste management is critical in preventing and controlling fly infestations. Garbage and pet waste can attract flies, so ensuring that trash cans have lids and are emptied frequently can reduce the population of flies. If you have pets, it’s important to clean up pet waste daily to prevent fly breeding grounds. Use dog waste bags to pick up pet waste, and dispose of it in the trash can with a tightly sealed lid.

Professional Extermination

If all the previous methods fail to control the fly population in your outdoor spaces, it’s time to consider professional extermination services. You can identify that it’s time to bring in an exterminator when there is a significant increase in the number of flies in your outdoor spaces, even after putting in place several prevention methods.

Picking the right professional exterminator is essential to ensure effective fly control. Look for licensed and experienced exterminators in your area. Request for quotes from several companies and compare their pricing, services, and customer reviews.

Conclusion

Having a fly-free outdoor space is not impossible, and it can be achieved using natural repellents, traps, plants that repel flies, proper waste management, and professional extermination services. Remember, keeping your outdoor space clean and free of debris is the easiest and most effective way to prevent flies from taking over your space.

By applying the tips and solutions covered in this article, you can create a conducive and enjoyable outdoor living space without worrying about flies.