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How To Get Rid Of House Flies

Updated on November 7, 2014

How To Get Rid Of Houseflies

So how do you get rid of houseflies? Everyone has a fly in their house every now and then, but this year seems to be especially bad. I have lots of flies in my house that I want to get rid of.

Having those nasty flying bugs buzzing around my head drives me absolutely crazy. Not only are they annoying they carry many germs and diseases.

I have no idea where they are coming from but I'm learning rather quickly how to get rid of houseflies naturally!

House flies

House flies are not only one of the most annoying insects as they buzz around your head while you are trying to sleep or any other time, but they are also extremely unsanitary. These annoying insects will search out any tiny scrap of food they can find. They also leave behind something for you or your children, bacteria that causes diarrhea, cholera and food poisoning to name a few.

House flies lives for approximately 2-3 weeks and breed on garbage and feces. A female house fly can lay up to 500 eggs. Wow that's a lot of flies!

A Clean House

Believe me, I am no Clorox Queen. I like to think that my home is clean and tidy. The flies on the other hand have found "something" they like because they don't want to leave.

The first thing to do in getting rid of house flies is keep your house clean. It has been shown that certain oils such as orange, lemon and cloves repel flies. Surfaces such as your counters and table should be wiped down. Cover your compost, garbage, bread and fruits.

If house flies do not have access to your food scraps there will be no temptation for them.

House Flies Do Not LIke The Cold!

It's a beautiful day outside and you just can't wait to open those windows and get some fresh air, getting rid of that houseatosis.

Make sure that all your windows and doors have screens to keep those nasty house flies outside and not in your home.

Fly Repellents From The Kitchen

There are some simple and inexpensive ways that you use from your kitchen to repel house flies.

It has been shown that house flies do not like the smell of cloves, neither do some of us humans. They also don't like basil, planting basil can repel flies so they will not be attracted enough to go in your home every time you open the door. You could even plant some basil outside by your doors and in a window box outside your windows to keep the flies away.

Photo courtesy of John Wood
Photo courtesy of John Wood

The Water Bag

An Old Wives Tale? Some say yes, some say no. When we moved to North Carolina one of my husband's co-workers told us to hang bags of water to keep the flies away.

The premise behind this is light refraction and the many lens in the flies eyes. Simple explanation. We tried it and honestly don't know if it worked or not. I think it may have been that we just could not get the bags to hang and they were leaking all over!!! I think we need a heavier plastic bag.

This picture of hanging water bags was taken by John Woods in Mexico at a restaurant so someone else seems to think it works.

Fly Traps

Fly Traps are easy to use. They come with bait which is put in the trap. The bait attracts the flies and and traps them in the container or bag to their demise. Once the trap is filled, you can just throw the bag away. Fly Traps are made for indoor and outdoor use.

Be sure to keep them at least 30 feet or so from your house so that the flies stay away from your house. The traps have an unpleasant odor for people but the flies love them.

There is also a huge array of non toxic sprays that will keep your back yard, campground or beach blanket free of any insects.

Zap And Swat

Fly Zappers are just that they emit a current and zap your flies dead on impact. Fly Swatters are the tried and true way to swat those little pests.

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