What scent do flies hate?

Author: Karl Dicki  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

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 to stop flies in a house?

Windows and Doors: Ensure that windows and doors are properly sealed. Use screens to prevent flies from entering. Cracks and Crevices: Check for any gaps or cracks in walls and seal them to prevent entry. Fans: Use a fan to create airflow in your room. Flies are not strong flyers and may be deterred by the wind.

What is the best homemade fly repellent?

Flies hate the smell of basil and ginger. Boil a pot of water on the stove and remove from heat. Slice up a 2-inch nub of ginger and add the water along with two cups of fresh basil leaves. Leave to steep for an hour. Remove the herbs and place the water in a spray bottle and spray your surfaces for a fly-free home.

What is a good smelling fly repellent?

Lavender – Lavender is available in many different forms, and flies hate them all. Try growing fresh plants in your garden, especially near any doors or windows. You can also use dried lavender and scented candles to help keep the flies at bay.

What is the best air freshener to keep flies away?

Got a fly problem around your coop and run? Here's a solution you're going to have to try to believe. It's inexpensive and effective: vanilla scented automotive air fresheners.

What smell do flies absolutely hate?

What smell do flies really hate?

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 number one fly repellent?

DEET or Picaridin: The EPA considers both DEET and picaridin as being highly effective as wearable repellents against insects when used in the proper concentration. A product with either 20% DEET or picaridin can repel insects for up to 4 to 5 hours.

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.

What home remedy gets rid of flies fast?

Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap

Sprinkle sugar on top to further entice the flies. The dish soap will break down the flies and kill them, while the vinegar attracts them. If you don't have apple cider vinegar, try stale wine or beer, says Irenicus, as the aging scents attract flies.

What smell really attracts flies?

The greatest fly attractant tested is banana, because it attracts an average of forty-seven flies. Strawberry is the next greatest attractant with twenty-nine flies attracted.

What can I spray that flies hate?

Natural Sprays That Repel Flies:

Fill a spray bottle with ⅓ hydrogen peroxide and ⅔ water. After shaking the mixture, spray it on surfaces on which flies tend to typically linger. It works wonders! It turns out that flies and mosquitoes are not fans of vodka!

What is the best fly deterrent for outside flies?

Use Citronella-Infused Incense and Candles

Citronella essential oil is one of the most effective natural repellents for flies and other bugs. Another plus side of citronella is that it emits a pleasant lemony scent, so you can leave it around your patio space while you're outside.

How do I get rid of flies in minutes?

Trapping and Catching Flies
  1. Use a vacuum for a quick way to catch flies in a room. ...
  2. Set out a dish soap trap if you need to lure out flies. ...
  3. Create a funnel trap to prevent smaller flies from escaping. ...
  4. Hang flypaper if you need to prevent flies from landing. ...
  5. Install a fly zapper for a reusable trap that kills flies.

What is the best repellent for flies in the house?

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.

Why do I suddenly have so many flies in my house?

Damp crevices, leaks, and organic decay create ideal breeding grounds for flies. Stagnant water, moist soil, and decaying plant matter support larvae development. Ensuring your home is dry and free from organic buildup can help mitigate this issue.

What smell will keep flies away?

Plant herbs like basil, rosemary, and lavender around patios and garden borders. Use sprays made from essential oils like citronella or eucalyptus on outdoor furniture. Incorporate scented candles or sachets near outdoor dining areas to create a fly-free zone.

What is the best homemade fly killer?

The best homemade fly trap is one that can attract both house flies and fruit flies. To lure both outdoors, mix scraps of rotting meat, like fish or chicken, with sugar or honey. When indoors, the best bait is old fruit or honey. Liquid dish soap is exactly what you need to drown the flies.

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

✔️Mix apple cider vinegar and dish soap.

Ideally, the dish soap will have a fruity smell. “The fermented smell from the vinegar can attract flies,” Pereira says. “But the soap is really what will kill them.” The detergent in soap will destroy the flies' digestive tract and can also break down their cell walls, he says.

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 should you not use Pine-Sol on?

Pine-Sol® is not recommended for use on marble, aluminum, or unsealed, waxed, oiled or visibly worn wood. Q: Where should I NOT use Pine-Sol® Cleaners? A: We do not recommend using Pine-Sol® Original Multi-Surface Cleaner on aluminum, copper or marble surfaces.

Does Lysol get rid of flies?

It will kill flies and roaches when you spray them. I don't like this page.

Is there anything that actually repels flies?

Yes, citronella can help repel flies. It produces a strong odor that flies do not like. You can burn citronella candles or use citronella oil to help keep the flies away however it is not an effective method of killing flies.

What candle keeps flies away?

Smoke Flies Out With Citronella Candles

Citronella is a great fly repellent but it only works effectively in a small area per candle. The amount of candles it would take to be effective would be so costly that this is really not a viable solution either.

What is the best natural fly repellent for humans?

Olive Oil. Olive oil is not only a staple in cooking but can also be used as a natural fly repellent. A study conducted by the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene found that mixing olive oil with essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil can create an effective insect repellent.

Previous article
What does GE XWFE filter remove?
Next article
Do probiotics help with mold?