The Ultimate Guide to Natural House Fly Control in Kentucky

House flies are one of the most annoying pests we encounter. You know how it feels when a fly makes its way inside and buzzes around your head until you’ve had enough. You go and get the fly swatter, and then the fly disappears. The next thing you know, you’re in the kitchen, the fly swatter is in the living room, and that darn fly is back at it again! You’re only thought is, “If that fly gives me half a chance, he’s dead… DEAD I TELL YA!”

Well, besides their annoying qualities, there’s something way more sinister about house flies; they carry and transmit all sorts of diseases and illnesses. And it’s no wonder since they may land on poop one minute and then on your food the next. Plus, they literally vomit on hard foods to soften them so that they can siphon up the liquid! Yes, you read that right… FLIES ARE VOMITING ON OUR FOOD!

Just because we don’t want to live with flies, however, does not always mean we want to use insecticides to eliminate them. The good news is that there are several control methods available to reduce, eliminate, or prevent flies that do not involve the use of man-made insecticides.

Natural Fly Control Remedies

House flies have a very rapid reproduction where their eggs hatch within 24 hours, and the larvae mature in just 5 to 7 days. This means that an infestation can happen quickly, come seemingly out of nowhere, and overwhelm us like a quick-passing storm! It’s best to have a good plan in place to eliminate house flies, especially if you’re going all-natural.

Let’s look at a few steps you can take to control house flies naturally.

Reduce and Eliminate Food Sources and Attractants

As with most pests, removing their food source causes them to move on to a new area in search of food. You can easily accomplish this by:

• Storing food in airtight containers.
• Cleaning spills (food or liquids) immediately
• Using garbage bins with tight-fitting lids (and keeping the lids closed)
• Quickly removing, properly disposing of, and storing garbage.
• Using tough garbage bags that don’t leak and that close tightly.
• Disinfecting cooking, serving, and eating areas.
• Feeding pets as recommended by a vet instead of free choice.
• Cleaning up after your pets.
• Keeping dishes washed and the kitchen clean
• Reducing moisture inside and out (use a dehumidifier, clean gutters, fix plumbing, etc.)
• Don’t add dairy, meat, or fatty/oily scraps to your compost.
• Cover your compost with 6 inches of soil.

If there’s no food, there will be no flies. Sanitation is key, and keeping things clean will keep you virtually fly-free.

Seal Entry Points

Some people live where flies are simply present, no matter what they do. For instance, farms, production areas, and near landfills. In these cases, pest exclusion is imperative to prevent flies from entering your home. A few exclusion tips you can employ include:

• Sealing cracks, gaps, and holes in walls, foundations, roof lines, plumbing, and HVAC penetrations, and anywhere else you can find a crack, gap, or hole.
• Be sure windows have proper mesh screens and are well-maintained.
• Blackout blinds (or curtains) can reduce the amount of light that attracts flies to your home at night.
• Doors should have operable weatherstripping and sweeps that close all gaps around the door.
• Ensure all doors are closed during peak fly activity (from around 9:30 am to 5:00 pm in Kentucky summers).

Natural Repellents

Natural repellents and insecticides are sometimes preferred over man-made remedies. These can be more expensive, more difficult to use, and scarcely available in ready-to-use formulations, and they often provide only minimal relief. The three main branches of natural repellents include aromatic deterrents, Essential oils, and plants and herbs.

Aromatic Deterrents

• Citronella candles used in well-ventilated outdoor spaces can help deter houseflies (and mosquitoes as a bonus!).
• Clove-studded citrus can be used indoors. This process includes the use of a lemon or lime with 10-20 cloves pierced into the fruit and can be placed in areas where flies are active.

Essential Oils

• Cinnamon and Vetiver have a moderate effectiveness in repelling house flies when placed in an oil diffuser indoors.
• Eucalyptus oil is highly effective when combined with vinegar as a surface cleaner.
• Lemongrass oil has some ability to deter house flies. Try soaking cotton balls in the oil and placing them near areas where flies are active.
• Peppermint oil has a high effectiveness in deterring flies. Mixing 10-20 drops of the solution with water in a spray bottle creates a solution that can be sprayed anywhere water can be used.

Plants and Herbs

Several plants and herbs naturally deter flies and other insects.

• Basil can be planted indoors or out. For optimal results, these can be placed near doorways and windows.
• Citronella grass can be used outdoors near areas where humans spend time.
• Dried Rosemary and bay leaves are great for hanging in areas where flies are common (pantries, small kitchens, etc.)

Homemade Traps

The most effective homemade house fly trap may be the soda bottle trap. This trap works well even for heavy infestations and is relatively easy to construct:

• First, cut the top third off of a 2-liter bottle (smaller bottles can be used, but won’t catch as many flies).
• Next, fill the base (the bottom part) with old, rotting fruit, beer, wine, or even a raw egg.
• Lastly, turn the top third (the part you cut off in step one) upside down into the base (making sure there is ample space between the bottom of the trap and the inverted top).

Once flies enter the trap for the food inside, they can’t fly back out. The more flies you catch, the more it will attract flies.