It's summer time, and if you live in the south like I do, you know what that means.... Fly season! Some people in the south invest in fly traps, which do help, but many of them get very nasty after a couple of days. Depending on the type, they may even cause a horrendous odor after trapping and collecting all the flies. Who wants that around their house or on their front or back porch? No one.
Flies are not only annoying, they’re major carriers of disease. They are known to transfer more than 100 pathogens that can result in illness, including cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, and dysentery. They collect those pathogens on their legs and mouths when feeding on trash, faeces and other decaying material.
Plus, some types of flies, such as sciarid flies, can damage both your houseplants and your garden plants. They continuously breed by laying eggs in the top of the compost, and tiny larvae feast on damp organic matter and algae within the compost mix. They also destroy the tiny roots of newly germinated seedling. Some flies like Fruit Flies, Bulb Flies, White Flies and Fungus Gnats suck feed on fruits and vegetables or their larvae feed on the plants’ roots.
Given all that, it’s no wonder so many people look for quick ways to eradicate them, but the problem is that chemical solutions and sprays for doing so are not the best idea as they’re typically filled with harmful ingredients that can negatively impact children, adults, pets, wildlife and the environment.
Instead of going down the chemical elimination route, try using a natural remedy to get rid of these frustrating pests. I have a few home remedies that have been tried and proven to work many times. Some of them may work better than others, depending on your situation. Grab a pen and paper to jot down the supplies you need to create to concoction you wish to try.
Side note: Some of these may work better than others listed. Give them all a try to see which one works best for you. All of them are safe and natural.
1) Lemongrass Essential Oil + Water
Take an empty spray bottle and fill it half full of water and add 20-25 drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil. If you have a small spray bottle, decrease the number of drops of oil by a couple, if you don't want a super strong scent of Lemongrass.
2) Vodka-based Repellent
Flies hate the smell of vodka! (I mean, let's be real, who doesn't?!) Grab a spray bottle, vodka, organic Lemon Eucalyptus oil, and Aloe Vera Juice.
Mix one cup of vodka with two teaspoons of aloe vera juice and a teaspoon of organic lemon eucalyptus oil. Then spray the solution in all the areas listed in number one, or anywhere you know flies swarm. You can also apply it to areas that might not have flies yet to discourage them from going there.
Note: This blend is also safe to add to your skin if you find that they tend to swarm you.
3) Apple Cider Vinegar
Whether your fly problem is indoors or outdoors, here is another natural, easy to make fly trap that is one of the most effective methods I've come across.
Get a bowl and fill it three-quarters with Apple Cider Vinegar and add in one drop of dish soap.
(The dish soap allows the liquid in the bowl to have a more firm surface to land on that eventually causes the flies to fall into the vinegar. You can omit the dishsoap and just try the ACV, if you like.)
4) Sugar Water Trap with Paper Cone
This natural method for getting rid of flies is one of the easiest, most cost effective, and simplest to put together.
All you need is a jar with a little bit of sugar water on the bottom, and a paper cone to insert inside the jar upside down. Cut a small hole in the tip of the cone before putting it in the jar, and make sure that it isn’t touching the liquid. Then leave the trap where it will attract most flies, and as they go down the cone towards the sugar water they will not be able to get back out again, trapping them inside the jar.
Keep in mind that you will want to dump out the contents ever so often because it will start smelling.
5) Rosemary + Mint Essential Oils
Grab a spray bottle and fill it half full with water and add in 20-25 drops of each oil. Shake very well, then spray all outside furniture, all door frames, outdoor rugs etc. Flies hate the scent of Mint and Rosemary, and will be less likely to want to hang around the area.
*Bonus: This also helps with deterring Mosquitoes, and is safe enough to spray on your body.
I hope you find some of these helpful to you. After all, no one deserves to spend their summer with a fly swatter in hand, shoeing away flies at family BBQ's, or worse, being bit by the biting one! Yes, some flies actually bite, like Barn/Horse Flies. The bites are not pleasant as they swell up like an oversized mosquito bite. The itch is intense and hard to subside. Do yourself and family a favor this summer and try our some of these home remedies to keep yourself and them safe from these pesky flies.
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