How To Get Rid Of Flies

16 February 2023

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

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Flies are a nuisance. Not only that, but they’re unhygienic too. So how do you get rid of flies in your home? We’ll give you some hints and tips on how to get rid of house flies and let you know if those Old Wives’ Tales really do work!

How to get rid of flies inside – natural remedies

An infestation of flies in your home or business is not what anyone wants. Thankfully, there are many different ways to get rid of flies – some are humane whereas others are not. Wherever possible we try to remove flies from your property carefully so we’ll start with some natural solutions to getting rid of a fly infestation on your property. To find out even more information, view our fly control services.

1. Planting herbs and flowers 

Plants and herbs such as Marigolds, Lavender, Basil and Bay Leaves have been proven to repel flies. Venus flytraps can also be planted indoors or outdoors. 

2. Dish soap and cider vinegar

For getting rid of common fruit flies, a mixture of these two ordinary household items is enough to attract flies and trap them. For best results, wrap cling film over the cup and punch a few small holes in it. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar and go through the holes. Landing on the dish soap will make them heavy and cause them to sink to the bottom.

3. Attract them with food and drink

Flies are naturally attracted to sugary foods and drinks such as fruit and sugar, even wine (though you may not want to leave that out for them!). Create a natural trap for them with these foodstuffs and dispose of them once they have been caught. 

4. Pouring boiling vinegar or boiling water over them

Obviously, we don’t condone this method, but it is effective.

Flying ant
Fly Control

How to get rid of house flies – man-made options

If traditional methods don’t solve your problem then there are man-made alternatives of getting rid of flies that could serve you just as well.

  • Flypaper

This method of catching flies has been used for decades. The flies land on the flypaper strips and get stuck. These sheets can either be hung around your property or placed inside purpose-built traps. 

  •  Insecticides

Only effective if you have a small fly infestation as they build up a tolerance to the insecticide quickly, rendering it useless. Also not a great solution to have around small children as they are highly dangerous to humans if they are ingested.

  • Zappers

Technically known as a light trap, you’ll have seen these in chip shops. They emit a bright light that the fly is attracted to and ‘zaps’ the fly with an electric current, killing it or stunning it enough to allow it to be trapped.  

 

 

Call the professionals to get rid of your fly infestation

If your fly infestation persists then call in the professionals. We have a number of ways to remove flies and other insect pests from your property and can treat the affected area to stop others from returning. 

With over 30 years of experience in dealing with all kinds of infestations around the UK, we can safely say that we know how to get rid of flies! Book an appointment online or call us at 0161 483 7112 today. 

Do you have another pest problem? View our pest control services.

Are houseflies hazardous to my health?

More often than not, flies are just a nuisance, but they do have the potential to be harmful as they can carry diseases, bacteria, and viruses including E. Coli, dysentery and food poisoning. If you are concerned about the amount of flies on your property, get in touch with one of our experts and we’ll assess the situation for you.

What causes fly infestations?

Flies are attracted to warm places to lay their eggs, and your home fits the bill perfectly. They are also attracted to sweet foods and drinks and the odours given off by household rubbish. The problem is that flies have a short lifespan and breed quickly, so even if you think you’re getting rid of the flies that you have, you can be sure that there will be more on the way very soon.

How do I get rid of flies from my porch?

There are a couple of things that you can do to get rid of flies from your porch or outdoor areas. - Use pine oil cleaner on your wood structures - flies hate the smell of pine - Clear any standing water - Turn lights off - Move any rubbish away - If you’re also wondering how to get rid of flies inside then many of the above methods will also work indoors too. If you don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere with removing your fly infestation, we’ll be happy to help.