Flies are one of the most common household pests. While they might seem harmless at first, they are more than just a nuisance. Flies can carry harmful bacteria, contaminate food, and quickly multiply if left unchecked. If you’re constantly swatting these buzzing insects around your home, you’re probably asking yourself the same question many others do: how to get rid of flies?
The good news is that there are several proven strategies to eliminate them, from natural remedies to preventive measures. Let’s break down the most effective ways to keep your home fly-free.
Why Flies Are a Problem
Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand why flies are a concern:
- Health risks: Houseflies carry pathogens like E. coli, salmonella, and other bacteria that can cause food poisoning and infections.
- Fast reproduction: A single fly can lay up to 500 eggs in its short lifespan, making infestations grow rapidly.
- Annoyance factor: The constant buzzing and landing on food or skin is irritating and unhygienic.
Common Types of Flies in Homes
Different flies require slightly different control methods:
- Houseflies: The most common type, usually attracted to food waste and decaying matter.
- Fruit flies: Tiny flies drawn to overripe fruits, vegetables, or fermenting liquids.
- Drain flies: Small, moth-like flies that breed in moist drains and pipes.
- Cluster flies: Often found in attics or near windows, especially in colder months.
How to Get Rid of Flies Indoors
1. Eliminate Breeding Grounds
Flies are attracted to garbage, organic waste, and moisture. Take these steps:
- Empty trash bins daily and keep them tightly sealed.
- Clean pet litter boxes and bird cages frequently.
- Wipe up spills immediately, especially sugary drinks.
- Fix leaky faucets and drains to remove moisture.
2. Use Fly Traps
- Sticky traps: Hang adhesive strips in areas where flies are common.
- Bottle traps: Create a DIY trap using a plastic bottle filled with sugar water or apple cider vinegar.
- UV light traps: These attract flies with light and capture them in a container.
3. Natural Remedies
- Apple cider vinegar + dish soap: Flies are attracted to the vinegar but trapped by the soap film.
- Essential oils: Flies dislike scents like eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender. Mix a few drops with water and spray around the house.
- Basil and mint plants: Keeping these herbs indoors helps repel flies naturally.
4. Clean Drains
For drain flies, pour a mixture of boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar down the sink to kill larvae and remove organic buildup.
How to Get Rid of Flies Outdoors
Flies often breed outside before entering your home. Prevent this with:
- Yard maintenance: Remove animal waste, compost properly, and cover outdoor trash bins.
- Fly-repellent plants: Plant lavender, marigolds, and lemongrass around patios.
- Outdoor traps: Use commercial fly traps or DIY soda bottle traps to lure flies away from sitting areas.
- Limit standing water: Empty buckets, bird baths, and clogged gutters that attract flies.
Preventing Flies from Coming Back
- Keep windows and doors closed or use fine mesh screens.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Regularly disinfect kitchen counters, sinks, and cutting boards.
- Clean up after meals immediately instead of leaving dirty dishes out.
Consistency is key—eliminating food sources and breeding grounds makes your home far less appealing to flies.
FAQs About Getting Rid of Flies
Q1. What smell do flies hate the most?
Flies dislike strong natural scents such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and basil. Using these in sprays, candles, or potted plants helps keep them away.
Q2. How to Get Rid of Flies quickly?
Set up a vinegar and dish soap trap near your kitchen. Also, throw away overripe fruits and clean drains where fruit flies often breed.
Q3. Can flies spread diseases?
Yes. Flies carry bacteria and viruses picked up from decaying matter and waste, which can spread to food and surfaces in your home.
Q4. Do fly traps really work?
Yes, especially when combined with sanitation. While traps reduce the adult population, cleaning up breeding grounds is essential to stop new generations from emerging.
Q5. Why do flies keep coming back even after I clean?
Even small crumbs, spills, or hidden organic matter can attract flies. Check drains, garbage bins, and pet areas for overlooked sources.
Q6. Are chemical sprays safe to use indoors?
Chemical sprays can work but should be used cautiously, especially around children and pets. Opt for natural solutions first, and if using sprays, follow the instructions carefully.
Q7. How long does it take to get rid of flies?
If you remove breeding grounds and use traps, you can reduce the fly population in a few days. Severe infestations may take 1–2 weeks of consistent cleaning and trapping.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to get rid of flies isn’t just about swatting them away—it’s about addressing the root cause. By keeping your home clean, sealing food, maintaining proper waste disposal, and using natural repellents, you can break the fly breeding cycle. Whether it’s fruit flies in the kitchen or houseflies buzzing around your yard, persistence and prevention are the keys to a fly-free environment.