What Causes Flies Outdoors? Flies are most common from spring to fall. 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.
Flies can emerge from several sources including food that's been left out, garbage that needs to be taken to the curb, windows or doors left open, and even as larvae in new houseplants. Drains are a common culprit, too, if water is rarely turned on in a sink or shower.
Decay or organic matter: Flies are attracted to decaying organic matter, such as animal feces, compost piles, or rotting vegetation. If you have any of these in or near your yard, they could be contributing to the fly population.
Rotting food in your trash cans or even an organic composter can attract flies. Keep these covered tightly and take the trash to the curb for pickup regularly. A closed composter will also keep insects at bay while allowing you to recycle food scraps and grass clippings.
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.
Flies usually find moisture around garbage or another source of food. Keep garbage cans sealed whenever you aren't using them. Take out all your garbage every night before bed. Rinse out and dry containers before disposing of them.
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.
Vinegar and Dish Soap - Fill a bowl slightly with apple cider vinegar, wine or honey with some dish soap (washing up liquid). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap with punctured holes or leave uncovered. Flies will be attracted to the smell and will get stuck within the liquid.
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.
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.
Flies get inside for a number of reasons, usually in pursuit of trash, rotting food, or moisture. A common house fly is attracted to decaying organic matter like feces and rotting meat. Drain flies, on the other hand, are attracted to moisture and will lay their eggs inside of drains.
Another meaning of flies in a spiritual sense is spiritual contamination, and this comes from their association with filth. Sometimes, we can allow negativity and negative thoughts to seep into our beings, bringing spiritual pollution into our lives.
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.
Does Vinegar, Dish Soap, Essential Oils Repel Flies? 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.
Irish Spring has some utility for repelling mammals, but it won't work at all to repel mosquitoes and other insects.
In addition to making your house smell minty fresh, herbs like spearmint and peppermint can also keep flies at bay. Mint grows quickly and makes an excellent addition to your backyard garden or your windowsill. For those who lack a green thumb, spearmint or peppermint essential oils can also prevent fly infestations.
One of the most common predators of flies, including fruit flies, is the frog. Although frogs eat a diverse diet, they feed on flies as often as they can. The spider is also a common predator of the fruit fly. These arachnids spin their webs as traps for flies.
Planting these top 5 plants: Lavender, rosemary, basil, marigold and peppermint can help keep flies away this summer. Not only do they naturally repel pests, but they also add to the beauty of our landscape design.
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.
The quickest reasons tend to be: Flies breeding on improperly stored food or in open garbage that hasn't been taken out. Flies coming in as eggs or larvae in new houseplants and then emerging. Flies discovering open windows or doors that allow them easy access indoors.
House flies pick up bacteria, fungi, and viruses and then spread these pathogens by contaminating food and water. Several health problems can develop from house fly infestations. These include food poisoning, dysentery, and tuberculosis. Regular cleaning will limit areas where house flies are able to breed.