Can baking soda get rid of flies?

Author: Dr. Delilah Gaylord V  |  Last update: Friday, January 23, 2026

Homemade fly repellent spray: A mixture of dish soap, water, baking soda, and vinegar can be filled into a spray bottle. The mixture should contain a few drops of dish soap and a tablespoon each of vinegar and baking soda per cup of water. A few sprays of this mixture can be an effective fly repellent.

How do you kill flies with baking soda?

Pour in 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda plus a cup of white vinegar. Allow it to work overnight then flush the drain with hot or boiling water the next morning. This will sanitize the drain and kill the flies and their eggs.

What smell will keep flies away?

Cinnamon – use cinnamon as an air freshner, as flies hate the smell! Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass essential oils – Not only will spraying these oils around the house create a beautiful aroma, but they will also deter those pesky flies too.

How do I get rid of flies asap?

Use fly paper or fly strips. Clean with Pine Sol. Use essential oils. Flies hate the smells of Pine Sol, citronella, peppermint oil and clove oil. Use cinnamon as an air freshener as flies hate that smell also. Spray house with lavender, eucalyptus, or lemongrass essential oils. Use fans or light candles.

How do you get rid of drain flies in 5 minutes?

Boil a pot of water and pour it down the drain where you suspect the drain flies are breeding. Pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Slowly pour a 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain with a drain plug, and let it sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

How to GET RID OF FLIES! 🤯

What smell do drain flies hate?

Peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils are especially beneficial. Pour a few drops of the chosen oil with water down the toilet. The oils' pungent aroma repels drain flies and disturbs their breeding cycle. To keep the solution effective, reapply it every few days.

Why do I suddenly have drain flies?

Drain flies thrive in stagnant and standing water. Common sources include slow or clogged drains, rarely used and unused toilets, refrigerator drain pans, and standing water created by leaking pipes. They typically enter buildings through basements, windows, and drains.

What do house flies hate the most?

Some publications suggest that using herbs and plants such as Mexican marigolds, mint, rosemary, lavender, yarrow and pitcher plants will help keep flies away, so adding these to your garden may be helpful. Eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass essential oils may also have some potential to deter flies.

What is the best home remedy for flies?

Vinegar and Dish Soap

Mix about an inch of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a tall glass. Cover the glass with plastic wrap, secure it with a rubber band, and poke small holes in the top. Flies will be attracted to the vinegar in the glass and will fly through the holes.

Does pine sol get rid of flies?

Yes, using Pine-Sol to keep flies away is safe. According to the Pine-Sol product page, it is biodegradable and safe for use around pets. However, Thaeler suggests waiting until treated areas have dried before letting children or pets near to be safe.

What is the best homemade fly repellent?

Homemade fly repellent spray: A mixture of dish soap, water, baking soda, and vinegar can be filled into a spray bottle. The mixture should contain a few drops of dish soap and a tablespoon each of vinegar and baking soda per cup of water. A few sprays of this mixture can be an effective fly repellent.

Does Vicks keep flies away?

have to rub it all over, just apply small dabs on your ankles, wrists, neck, inner elbows, knees and behind your ears. The smell of the menthol in it will repel the insects away.

How to use cinnamon to get rid of flies?

Some ways to create homemade cinnamon fly repellent include:
  1. Diffusing cinnamon essential oil.
  2. Mixing cinnamon oil with water in a spray bottle.
  3. Sprinkling ground cinnamon on a low burner to release the scent.
  4. Lighting some cinnamon incense sticks.

What insect does baking soda kill?

Baking soda is often used as an alternative pest control solution for pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs or ants. But the reality is that baking soda for pest control is not effective. Baking soda does not dehydrate insects or cut them despite claims to the contrary.

What can I mix with baking soda for drain flies?

Use baking soda: Another easy option uses baking soda: Combine 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, and pour down the drain. Leave overnight, and finish by pouring boiling water down the drain in the morning.

Does hydrogen peroxide get rid of flies?

Matt Rogers, CEO and co-founder of Pestie, shared the answer while speaking exclusively to House Digest. He explained that while flies do not like the smell of hydrogen peroxide, commercially produced products are a more reliable solution.

How do I get rid of flies in my house asap?

Vinegar and dish soap fly trap
  1. Use a shallow dish bowl and fill it with an inch of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of sugar.
  2. Next, add some fruit-scented dish soap.
  3. You can leave the dish uncovered or tightly covered with plastic wrap. Make sure to poke a few holes in it to attract the flies.

What smell do flies really hate?

Essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus can keep flies away from your porch or any other outdoor space. Choose a scent that's pleasing to your nose, whether it's a spray, candle, or plant, then use or place it liberally around your home.

What is the best killer for house flies?

To kill the flies that buzz around rooms, use an insect spray or aerosol that contains synergized pyrethrins or synthetic pyrethroids. For best results, the room should be closed and the material misted into the air. Pyrethrins are “quick kill” insecticides and have little or no residual action.

What liquid kills flies instantly?

Choose from either chemical sprays, household cleaners, or hairspray. Chemical sprays kill flies instantly upon contact, though they contain harsh chemicals. You can also spray the flies with household cleaners, like Windex or Formula 409, or with an aerosol like hairspray. All of these sprays will help you kill a fly.

What stops flies coming into the house?

Key Takeaways
  • Seal Cracks: Identify and seal cracks in window and door frames.
  • Manage Rubbish: Promptly dispose of decayed food and wipe down surfaces.
  • Natural Deterrents: Use basil plants or essential oils (e.g., lemon grass, peppermint).
  • Proper Food Storage: Cover food after cooking to avoid fly breeding.

Why do I suddenly have large flies in my house?

Dead animals, rotting meat, or open compost heaps can draw these pests into your home. Structural gaps, such as cracks in walls or poorly sealed windows, provide entry points for flies seeking warmth or shelter.

How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?

Mix together 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain. Let sit overnight, then flush the drain with hot water in the morning. This should kill all flies and the organic material they've been feeding on.

Where do flies go at night?

Flies are just like us – they spend the entire day buzzing around with their friends and get pretty tired at bedtime. Before sunset, a sleepy fly will try and find a safe place to rest. Some favourite places are on the undersides of leaves, twigs, and branches, or even in tall grass or under rocks.

Can bugs come up through the toilet?

Can bugs come out of drains? Unfortunately, they can, and this is one of the easiest ways for some of these pests to get into your bathroom. This is particularly true for cockroaches, which can spread all sorts of dangerous bacteria and dirt that belong only in the sewer.

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