What's the best thing to keep flies away?

Author: Mr. Andy Barton PhD  |  Last update: Friday, February 20, 2026

What scents keep flies away?
  • Fly-Repelling Scent Effectiveness Ratings.
  • Bay Leaves/Laurel Leaves - 6/10.
  • Camphor - 8/10.
  • Catnip - 9/10.
  • Cayenne Pepper - 7/10.
  • Cinnamon - 7/10.
  • Citronella - 9/10.
  • Citrus - 6/10.

What smell keeps 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.

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.

How do I keep flies away from me outside?

Cedar oil: One of the most traditional oils used to repel flies outdoors is cedar oil. It can also be combined with other essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus, clove oil, lemongrass oil, and citronella. Cedar wood chips or cedar oil-repellent mats can be used to repel flies and other insects in your yard.

What gets rid of flies permanently?

Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap

Use equal parts dish soap and apple cider vinegar, and put the solution in a bowl or jar. 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.

How to GET RID OF FLIES! 🤯

What gets rid of flies the fastest?

Tips to Get Rid of Flies Fast
  1. Dish Soap and Vinegar Trap. Using a homemade dish soap and vinegar trap is an easy and effective way to kill flies. ...
  2. Flypaper. Flypaper traps offer a large-scale solution for getting rid of flies, though they don't necessarily look the prettiest. ...
  3. Soda Bottle Trap. ...
  4. Pine Sol. ...
  5. Use Natural Predators.

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 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.

Does Irish Spring soap keep flies away?

Irish Spring is known for its classic “invigorating” scent, and there are plenty of success stories on the internet from people using it to banish flies. Get a mesh or nylon bag, place a bar of soap inside and hang it on your patio or porch.

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.

Why are there so many flies outside my house all of a sudden?

Flies appear in outdoor locations wherever there are food sources and moisture. Dark areas also encourage breeding, while warm areas like open doors or vents attract flies preparing for hibernation. Here are the most common sources of fly infestations outside: Pet waste.

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 do flies hate most?

Here are some of the most noteworthy scents known to deter flies:
  • Bay Leaves/Laurel Leaves. Bay leaves, or laurel leaves, can also deter flies. ...
  • Camphor. Camphor is made by distilling bark and wood from the camphor tree. ...
  • Catnip. ...
  • Cayenne Pepper. ...
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Citronella. ...
  • Citrus. ...
  • Cloves.

Does spraying vinegar keep flies away?

Vinegar attracts, not repels flies; however, a container with vinegar and dish soap will function as an attractant trap as the vinegar lures flies to enter the trap and the dish soap will cause the flies to sink and die. Oils like lavender, mint, lemongrass, clove, rosemary and eucalyptus may help in repelling flies.

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.

Will Dawn dish soap keep flies away?

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 I keep flies off my porch?

How to Keep Flies Away From Your Patio This Summer
  1. Citronella Candles. ...
  2. Essential Oils. ...
  3. Herbs and Plants. ...
  4. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap. ...
  5. Mesh Screens. ...
  6. Clean Regularly. ...
  7. Remove Standing Water. ...
  8. Electric Fly Zappers.

What shampoo keeps flies away?

GoodBye Flys Products Combines Six Grooming Aids:

It moisturises and soothes the Skin. It helps with Hair Growth. Midges, Feather Mites and Horse Flies don't like it.

What home remedy gets rid of flies fast?

Cayenne pepper is an excellent natural fly repellent that also deters many other insects. Mix one cup of water and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a misting bottle and spray it near entryways and wherever you see flies. Other natural fly repellents include lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, camphor, and cinnamon.

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.

Does a bag of water keep flies away in Mythbusters?

He said the show Mythbusters also tested the idea and determined that the water bags weren't effective. Still, many theories are abuzz as to why it might work. The most common is that the flies' complex eyes are overwhelmed by the refracted light produced by the bags, and so they fly away.

Does Lysol get rid of flies?

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

Why are there so many flies all of a sudden?

Flies are naturally drawn to spoiled or rotting food, overripe fruits, and garbage cans filled with organic matter. These sources provide ample nourishment and breeding sites, making your home an attractive environment for them.

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.

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