How to Get Rid of Flies
House flies are pesky, but biting flies are even worse! No matter what kind of fly is ruining your summer, here are some easy ways to repel flies and keep them away for good.
The Easiest Way to Get Rid of Flies
The easiest (and cheapest) way to get rid of flies may simply be a strong fan. Scientists say that flies’ wings are unable to operate in a breeze above 9 m.p.h, so open the windows, turn the fan to full power, and they won’t come anywhere near you. This is also a great trick for an outdoor party—just aim a few fans at the center of the action instead of spraying down your yard with awful-smelling repellent.
Buy Now
Keep Flies Away from Their Favorite Places
Even if you try to keep trashcans and compactors sealed tight, sometimes there’s nothing you can do to not end up with a swarm of flies Luckily, flies, like fleas, are repelled by lavender oil. Soak a few cotton balls with the oil and toss them into your garbage at the beginning of each week. The flies will stay away and your garbage won’t smell as bad! Other natural repellents that will send flies in the other direction include clove oil and wintergreen mint sprigs.
All-Natural Fly Repellent
Having a picnic and hate the thought of all the flies that will be dive-bombing your basket? Keep flies away from your food with cloves! Just poke some whole cloves into several lemon wedges, then place them around the edges of your picnic blanket. The flies can’t stand the scent and will stay away.
Herbs that Repel Flies
Flies also don’t like mint and basil, so if you want to keep flies away from your next barbecue, put a few bunches around the food. They’ll look and smell great—to humans—and the flies will head elsewhere. You can also hang them in your home near your windows to send flies flying elsewhere.
How to Keep Flies Away from Your Pool
There’s nothing more irritating than having flies and other bugs swarm around you while you’re trying to take a dip in the pool. We’ve had some luck keeping bugs away by applying a large amount of white vinegar around the perimeter of the pool with a sponge.
Mouthwash Fly Repellent
Are biting flies or horseflies driving you crazy? To keep them away from you, use mouthwash as a bug repellant. They hate the minty smell and the alcohol on your skin.
For more insect remedies, check out our Bug and Pest Natural Remedies board on Pinterest. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook for our Tip of the Day!
Photo by Who Knew?