Learning how to get rid of flies outside is crucial to preventing their entry into the house and transmission of diseases such as dysentery, cholera and even tuberculosis. This guide will give you comprehensive coverage of the options available to eliminate flies outdoors including natural remedies.
How to Get Rid of Flies Outside – Getting Rid of Flies Outside
If you don’t take care of flies outside your house or home, they will eventually get way into your house where they will not only annoy you but likely spread infections and diseases such as cholera, conjunctivitis and dysentery as well. Here is a breakdown of how to get rid of flies outside:
1. Eliminate the attractant role of meat
Flies are strongly attracted to meat. Don’t be surprised therefore if a swarm of flies pop out of nowhere within a few minutes of setting up your barbeque grill. To stop that, keep all meat covered tightly when not in the grill and ensure that the barbeque grill remain closed at all times as the meat cooks.
It is also important to ensure that any rotting meat or carcass in your vicinity is buried properly.
2. Ensure proper yard hygiene
Flies are attracted to all manner of odors and eliminating any sources outdoors is a positive step towards controlling fly infestation. To start with, you should collect dog feces and throw it appropriately. One option is to place it in sealable bags before throwing it into your trash can. It is also important to keep your garbage bins tightly closed and clean.
3. Drain any stagnant water
Stagnant water tends to attract flies into your compound. Birdbaths are one common culprit. It is thus important to ensure that the water in them is changed frequently. It is also a good idea to get rid of any old tires and other debris that could retain rain water from your yard.
4. Throw in some fly repelling plants to your landscaping mix
Flies have a disliking for fresh fragrances emitted by herbs such as basil, mint, bay, tansy, wormwood, rue, false indigo, elderberry, and lavender. Having several such plants in your gardens and patio is thus a great way to get rid of flies outside your house and – by extension – in your house.
5. Plant carnivorous plants
It doesn’t sound real and I was indeed perplexed when my secondary school biology teacher said that there are plants that actually feed on insects. You can us such plants to your advantage by having several of them rowing in your backyard or on patios. Venus Fly Trap and Pitcher plants are your best bet.
These plants trap and digest flies and other insects when they land on them, lured in by the plants’ secretions.
6. Disposable fly traps
This is yet another excellent option for those looking to learn how to get rid of flies outside. Disposable fly traps come with a plastic bag containing fly attractants that get activated upon pouring water inside. The attractant typically comprises of food and feed materials and food flavorings that are regarded safe for use around pets and children.
Keeping the flytraps in the sun with water added attracts flies which enter into the trap where they eventually drown in the water. The options range widely but among the best rated disposable flytraps are Rescue FTD-BB24, Flies Be Gone Fly Trap Kills, and Black Flag Disposable Outdoor Fly Trap all of which are available on amazon.
7. Fly paper
Fly papers are an excellent low cost option for getting rid of flies. They are usually coated with a sticky and sometimes poisonous substance that flies find pleasant and get drawn to unaware of the imminent danger.
8. Homemade fly trap
You can also use a homemade trap to get rid of flies outside as follows:
- Pour ½ cup of sugar water syrup into a wide-mouthed glass jar
- Make a simple cone by rolling a square piece of paper and cut a small hole at its apex
- Fit the cone on the glass jar such that it hangs without dipping into the content of the jar
- Place the jar (or several of them) in the area where flies are frequently seen.
Flies will get attracted to the sweet liquid inside the trap and crawl in through the cone but they won’t be able to figure their way out once inside.
9. Electronic bug zapper
This is basically an electrical system that uses white light to attract insects only for them to be electrocuted upon touching the electric grid fitted on the system.
10. Fly killer spray
Using pyrethrum aerosol sprays such as CB 80 Pyrethrum Aerosol is yet another viable option that you may consider to get rid of flies outside. Despite their quick responsive time, some people are usually hesitant to use them since they are typically toxic and not the most environmentally-friendly option.
You may as well consider making your own homemade fly spray as outlined below:
- To a spray bottle, add 5 to 10 drops of dish soap followed by a couple cups of warm water.
- Shake the mixture thoroughly and spritz it on any flies that you come across.
Dish soap contains borax which doesn’t do flies any good so to speak.
Best Way to Get Rid of Flies outside or Best Way to Get Rid of Flies Outdoors
“A rotting rat carcass in a hidden section of my garden has given rise to a swarm of flies. The flies are still all over even after burying the rat a day ago. What is the best way to get rid of flies outside before (God forbid) they find their way into my house?”
It is great that you have already discarded the rat carcass responsible for your woes as flies are usually attracted to rotting organic materials and meat (they truly have a bad taste). Your next course of action should be to trap and kill the adult flies. Spraying the flies with an aerosol spray such as setting a disposable fly trap is easily the best option for getting rid of flies.
You may as well consider other options such as fly traps (either disposable fly trap or homemade fly trap), fly papers, and electronic fly zapper.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Flies Outside
Chemical and electrical fly control methods are not everyone’s favorite. There are those of us who would rather use natural remedies at all times. If you are one of them, then here are natural ways to get rid of flies outside that you may want to use:
- Plant fly repelling plants such as basil, rue, lavender, mint, tansy, and wormwood to name but a few.
- Add a few carnivorous plants such as Venus Fly Trap or pitcher plant to your garden so they can trap and feed on the flies.
- Make a sugar-water syrup trap as described in another section of this guide or invest in a commercial fly trap such as Rescue FTD-BB24 or Flies Be Gone Fly Trap.
- Scout your compound for any offensive materials that could have started the menace. You will especially want to ensure that there are no dog feces and rotting organic materials and ensure that birdbaths are cleaned every day. Ensure also that garbage bins are sealed tightly.
How Do You Get Rid of Flies in Your Yard
I frequent online forums every now and then to get a glimpse of things and concerns that people in such communities are talking about. One question that I saw quite often in one of the forums is “how do you get rid of flies in your yard?”
If you have the same question, then your best would be to start by eliminating any potential fly breeding and feeding sources such as rotting organic materials before tracking down and getting rid of adult flies using options such as disposable fruit fly traps, fly papers, and homemade fly traps.
You may as well consider planting a few fly repelling plants such as basil or carnivorous plants such as Venus fly trap.
Best Way to Kill Flies outside Fast
And then there is Jane who sort to find out the best way to kill flies outside fast.
Well, Jane, aerosol sprays such as CB 80 Pyrethrum Aerosol have a quick turnaround but their toxic nature is the one major trade-off involved. Disposable fly traps and fly papers are also great options. It is also advisable to ensure that your compound is clean and free of any rotting organic materials and that all garbage cans are sealed properly.