How to Get Rid of Flies

Flies can cause problems, especially when it comes to contaminating your food. While the average house fly does not bite people, it can spread disease and pathogens including salmonella, malaria and tuberculosis. Fruit flies are smaller but can lay up to 500 eggs on the surface of your food. Preventing flies from coming into your home is just as important as removing them. Get rid of flies by making a do-it-yourself trap or buying a commercial trap.

Edit Steps

Edit Getting Rid of Flies with Home Remedies

Set a trap with dish soap. Pour 1 inch (2.54 cm) of liquid dish soap into a jar and add 1 inch (2.54 cm) of water. The flies will be attracted to the soap and drown in the water.
- Use fruit flavored dish soap for best results. An apple scented soap or lemon soap may provide better results, for example.
- Add a drop or two of apple cider vinegar if you do not seem to be catching many flies. The vinegar will attract flies to the jar.

Mix a natural fly repellent in a spray bottle. Flies will stay away from the scent of cayenne pepper. Mix a little in a spray bottle with water.
- Spray the cayenne mixture in doorways, window sills and other cracks and corners where flies might try to come in. The smell of the cayenne will keep them out.

Plant herbs to repel flies. They do not like scents such as lavender, basil and mint. Set up an herb garden in your kitchen or window sills to keep flies out.
- Use marigolds if you prefer flowers to herbs. Marigolds are offensive to flies.

Outsmart flies with plastic bags full of water. The way the bags and water reflect light will resemble a spider's web, and flies always try to avoid those.
- Fill clear plastic bags halfway with water. Seal the bags and hang them near doors and windows.
- Hang old CDs and DVDs to achieve the same light effect.

Edit Getting Rid of Flies with Commercial Fly Traps

Purchase fly paper. This can be found at hardware stores, department stores and home improvement retailers. Flies will stick to the paper and be unable to fly away.
- Remove the fly paper and discard it when too many flies begin to accumulate. Not only will it cease to be useful, a crowded strip of fly paper often looks unattractive.

Consider a fly light. You can buy a special light that keeps flies away from your kitchen or home. Many restaurants use this type of device.

Edit Preventing Flies

Keep all of your trash sealed. Flies are attracted to garbage, especially any decaying food.

Throw out fruits and vegetables before they get too old to eat. Whenever possible, keep them in the refrigerator instead of out in the kitchen.

Clean your floors, countertops and other surfaces thoroughly. Be sure not to leave crumbs or spills.

Check your sealing and insulation. Doors and windows should be closed and sealed to prevent flies and other insects from coming in.

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Edit Tips

Keep a fly swatter handy. Sometimes, flies can easily be slapped and swatted.

Edit Warnings

Use any insecticides carefully. They can often be harmful to people and pets. Try as many nontoxic remedies as you can before using poisons or chemicals.