How do I get rid of cluster flies on my patio?

Author: Dr. Darrel Altenwerth  |  Last update: Thursday, January 8, 2026

4 Ways to Get Rid of Cluster Flies
  1. Swat or Vacuum the Visible Flies.
  2. Use Traps or Flypaper.
  3. Spray an Approved Indoor Pesticide.
  4. Seal Interior Cracks and Gaps.

How to get rid of cluster flies outdoors?

Methods for getting rid of cluster flies
  1. Insect spray.
  2. 'Citronella' fragrance wick.
  3. Vacuum cleaner.
  4. Sealing all openings around doors, windows, eaves, pipes, electrical sockets…
  5. Foggers (performed by a trained professional)
  6. Smoke bombs (performed by a trained professional)
  7. Electric fly killers.
  8. Fly boxes.

Why do flies congregate on my patio?

Standing water or damp areas: Flies are also attracted to moisture. If you have any areas in your yard where water accumulates or remains stagnant, such as puddles, leaky pipes, or improperly drained areas, they could be breeding grounds for flies.

Why do I suddenly have cluster flies?

Indoor warmth or unseasonably warm weather can interrupt their hibernation, causing hidden cluster flies to suddenly become active. This usually leads to homeowners noticing insects flying toward windows and light sources during warm winter days.

How do I get rid of flies on my patio fast?

Add fly-repelling plants to your outdoor space, like lemongrass, basil, mint, or lavender. Make DIY fly-repellent strips by soaking strips of cloth with scented oils, such as clove, lavender, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, or mint.

How to Get Rid of Cluster Flies (4 Simple Steps)

How to get rid of hovering flies on a patio?

Pine oil cleaner is one of the best fly repellents for your patio. Flies hate the odor of pine, so they'll stay away if you use it to clean your patio space. If you're looking for a more permanent solution, you can use fly bait or sticky traps to lure and kill the bugs.

What smell do cluster flies hate?

Natural repellents such as eucalyptus, clove, and mint oils are known to deter cluster flies, making them useful in preventing indoor invasions.

Do cluster flies ever go away?

The adult flies emerge in late summer or early autumn and may seek refuge indoors as the weather cools. 3. Limited lifespan indoors: Cluster flies do not reproduce indoors, and their lifespan is relatively short. They may die off naturally within a few weeks or months, depending on environmental conditions.

What is the best spray for cluster flies?

Spray the building's outside walls where cluster flies are likely to land and rest before entering the building. If the temperature rises, they become active and will enter your home's interior to leave the structure entirely. Spray recommended residual insecticides, such as Cyzmic CS, Avesta CS, or Demon WP.

Will vinegar get rid of cluster flies?

Two of the most simple, common homemade repellents include: Vinegar Traps - Keep small amounts of vinegar in the lids from plastic pop and water bottle lids in places where flies can gain access to your home or have become bothersome, may help repel these pests.

What is the best fly repellent for patio?

Citronella is a well-known natural insect repellent, and citronella candles can help keep flies at bay in your patio enclosure.

Does Irish Spring soap keep flies away?

Some soaps with essential oils can repel insects for a short time but, “Irish Spring soap specifically doesn't have enough quantity to register for mosquitoes [and] no ingredients that would repel flies,” he says.

What smell do flies hate the most?

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.

What is the best thing for cluster flies?

Using an ordinary aerosol fly spray in the loft will kill all the cluster flies it hits, but will not penetrate into the cracks where flies may be hibernating. For small infestations, if you do not want to use insecticides, a vacuum cleaner will give limited effect effective in sucking up flies.

Does Pine-Sol keep flies away?

Create a fly and wasp repellent.

This DIY pest repellant should be a staple in the Southern home. Pour equal parts water and Pine-Sol in a spray bottle to spritz on outdoor furniture, the deck, and indoor areas where flies are most likely to flock, such as kitchen countertops.

Do bug zappers work on flies?

While traditional bug zappers have been around for many years and are a popular choice for outdoor use, they can be less effective in controlling flying insects like mosquitoes and flies. This is because these insects are not strongly attracted to UV light and may not always come into contact with the electric grid.

How to get rid of circling flies on a patio?

Use Fly Repellant Aromatics Such As Citronella

Use a range of natural aromatics that smell great to us, but are fly deterrents!

What is the residual spray for cluster flies?

Pest Expert Formula 'C+' Cluster Fly Spray

A powerful insecticide with a long-lasting residue that kills cluster flies on contact for up to 12 weeks after application, Formula 'C+' is low odour and water-based so will not damage anything that wouldn't be damaged by water.

Should I worry about cluster flies?

Cluster flies are in your home only to seek warm shelter for overwintering. They do not bite, will not seek out food and will not reproduce while hibernating. They are a nuisance but their habits won't create any structural damage.

How to stop cluster flies returning outside?

How to Get Rid of Cluster Flies Effectively
  1. Seal exterior gaps and cracks around windows, doors, eaves, roofs, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, underneath fascia and other points of access with high good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk.
  2. Repair or replace all damaged screens on doors or windows.

How long do cluster flies hang around?

Cluster flies are a longer-living species, with adults living as long as two years under ideal circumstances. On the other hand, houseflies typically go through their entire lifecycle in about 15 to 30 days, depending on temperature and living conditions.

When to spray for cluster flies?

To prevent flies from entering, the insecti- cide should be applied between August 15 and August 30. Certified applicators may also use a hydraulic sprayer. Flying insect sprays will give only temporary relief. Dispose of dead flies to avoid infestations of carpet beetles and other insects that feed on dead insects.

What do you spray for cluster flies outside?

BEST CLUSTER FLY SPRAY FOR THE HOUSE

On the outside of the home, spray with MAXXTHOR EC. This fast working concentrate will keep them off the structure by repelling them immediately.

How does vinegar get rid of cluster flies?

This involves spraying surfaces with diluted vinegar to help repel cluster flies from these areas, due to the vinegar's unappealing smell. While that method may be effective, it's best used in conjunction with other pest control techniques if you want to keep annoying flies out of your home for good.

Why are cluster flies so annoying?

The main problem with cluster flies is that they gather in such large numbers. Once the flies get in, they lay eggs which hatch in warm conditions. So you can't just kill the flies, you have to get rid of the eggs as well or you'll have a serious infestation on your hands. Cluster flies also leave their faeces behind.

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