Below, we’ve outlined seven methods for how to get rid of flies outside, whether it’s your whole yard that you’re trying to protect, or just your outside eating space.
Find the Source and Eliminate It
There’s nothing that flies love more than decaying organic matter. They will be attracted to anything, plant or animal based, such as compost, rotting produce or animal waste, and will use this as a host for laying thousands of eggs. When the eggs hatch, maggots will emerge which will soon become mature flies. Getting rid of any source like this will be key to maintaining a fly-free property. Garbage cans should be cleaned out regularly with a bleach solution, compost bins should be kept far away from your home, and covered whenever possible, and animal waste should be picked up as regularly as possible.
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Clean With Pine Sol
Flies detest the smell of pine, which is what makes Pine Sol such an effective deterrent. If you’re dealing with an outdoor fly infestation, simply swab your porch, deck and even the side of your house with a solution of hot water and Pine Sol. Be sure to test the solution on a small, inconspicuous spot to ensure it doesn’t damage the surface of your decking or your home’s siding, but most surfaces tolerate Pine Sol quite well. For maximum effectiveness, this application should be done every few days.
Host Natural Predators
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Animals like birds, bats and even frogs will feed on flies, thus reducing the number of them in your backyard. So attracting these types of critters to your property is another effective step for how to get rid of flies outside your home. Birdbaths and bird houses are an obvious way to bring more birds to your property. But be wary that these can also attract squirrels, which can in turn make nests under porches, in chimneys and even in car engines. Look for bird feeders that attempt to repel or discourage squirrels from feeding off of them.
Bat houses are cheap to buy or simple to make and can effectively attract insect-eating bats. While you might be tempted to add a pond in order to house frogs, remember that this can also attract insects, since they love standing water of any kind.
Use Fly Traps
Fly traps can work amazingly well for outdoor fly infestations. Most fly traps use a liquid or powder made from putrescent—or rotten—eggs, a horrible odor that’s incredibly off-putting for humans but a delicacy for flies. Fly traps are capable of catching and trapping thousands of flies at a time, and should be switched out when they get full. For severe infestations, consider using several fly traps at once along the perimeter of your property. They’re best used far away from your home so you don’t inadvertently attract flies to your property, but rather intersect them before they start zooming around your backyard living space.
Use Fly Paper
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Fly paper is an incredibly sticky strip that contains insecticide. It’s easy to use and clean up; simply remove the top of the dispenser and the paper rolls out to its full length (which is quite long, as a word of warning). You’ll find that flies are instantly attracted to the paper, so your fly paper will quickly fill up with trapped flies that can’t get away from the sticky surface. Once the paper is covered, simply collect the fly paper in a garbage or grocery bag, tie it tightly and dispose of it.
Use Fans or Light Candles
Wondering how to get rid of flies outside on your patio or deck while you’re enjoying a meal? In a small space like this, a fan can work wonders. The constantly moving air confuses flies, who prefer to fly in still air. Citronella candles, while more commonly used to deter mosquitos, can effectively keep common flies at bay as well, especially when used in small spaces.
Use Essential Oils
Using a similar school of thought as cleaning with Pine Sol, you can use certain essential oils to get rid of houseflies. Scents that they’re particularly opposed to are the strong, pungent odors, like clove, lavender, mint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, rosemary and citronella. Apply a few drops of these oils to strips of cloth to make DIY fly paper, or spray your deck and patio to keep flies away from the periphery of your home.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor