Flies are fairly common household pests and often spread disease by contaminating food and various surfaces. Some fly species, such as the deer fly and the horse fly, can even bite! Show the swarms of flies who has real power in the house using a variety of traps, repellent products, and chemical sprays. Before doing the extermination, find preventative steps so that swarms of flies will no longer come into the house by cleaning garbage and other frequently visited areas. With consistent handling, homes will no longer be an attractive source of food and shelter for swarms of flies.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Trapping and Catching Flies
Step 1. Use a vacuum cleaner as a quick step to catch flies in the house
These animals are very difficult to catch with a regular fly/mosquito racket, but you can easily trap them with a vacuum cleaner. Attach the hose to the main engine, point it at the flying flies, and the flies will be sucked into it. This method is very simple and saves you the hassle of running around the room all day to beat up this nimble pest.
If you don't have a good quality vacuum cleaner, try using an electric mosquito racket. This racket is more effective than a regular racket and can be used outdoors. Once you get close enough to the fly, the electric current in the racket will startle the fly so you can get rid of it
Step 2. Place a dish soap trap if you need to lure flies
Choose a plate or short container with a large opening (eg a saucer or glass) so the swarm of flies can directly access the bait. Pour in at least 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar, then add 3 drops of dish soap. Soap breaks down the tension on the surface of the vinegar so flies can't get out or escape after falling. Vinegar itself acts as a bait and its aroma can attract many flies.
If apple cider vinegar isn't available, make sure you have fruit-scented dish soap. Replace vinegar with equal amounts of water
Step 3. Create a funnel trap so the small flies can't escape
House flies and fruit flies cannot resist the temptation of sweets. Put about 80 ml of water in a mason jar or tall glass, then add 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of sugar. Place the funnel over the jar. After that, you can see the uninvited guests got into the jar, and couldn't get out.
- Sugary foods and drinks can be great bait if you don't have sugar in your kitchen. Try using honey, grapes, or even fruit that is starting to rot. You can also add yeast to attract flies.
- To make your own funnel, cut a piece of paper into a circle, then cut out a small triangle that extends to the center of one side of the circle. Fold the cut sides together to make a funnel with a bottom opening 1 centimeter (approximately) wide. Glue both sides so that the shape of the funnel is maintained.
- As another method for making a funnel, cut the soda bottle in half. Place the bait in the bottom half. Remove the cap from the top half, turn it upside down, and place it over the bottom half of the bottle.
Step 4. Hang flypaper or fly glue so that flies can't land on the surface of items or furniture
This product is sold in strips that you can hang around areas where flies are frequent (eg fans or door sills). After getting tired of flying, the fly will land on the first place it sees. The flies that are caught will also attract the attention of other flies so you can sit back and relax while the trap works.
- These strips are very sticky so be careful not to get them on your hair. As much as possible put the strip in areas that are clearly visible.
- Remove the trap once the flies have gathered. Even though it looks disgusting, at least this is the consequence you have to accept to clean the house from swarms of flies. You can attach a new strip to catch more flies.
Step 5. Install a fly stinger as a reusable trap that can kill flies
You will need an empty wall outlet to plug the stinger. Once installed in the house, the light emitted by the appliance will attract the attention of flies. After that, the flies will fall onto the disc at the bottom of the appliance which you can pull out and clean. Of course, it's interesting to hear the little popping sound of a stung fly, without having to exhaust yourself to beat the fly manually.
- Electric stingers make a loud noise when flies are infested with them. If you're not prepared, the sound may be annoying.
- There are several stinging products that you can install outdoors (the usage information is usually listed on the product packaging). This tool is suitable for use if you are doing outdoor activities or are near the tool. When it's not needed, you can turn off and lower the stinger so it doesn't attract as many flies.
- You can also buy ultraviolet light traps. This type of trap is not as noisy as an ordinary electronic trap. The fly will land on the adhesive board, and you can remove and replace the board as necessary.
Method 2 of 3: Removing and Poisoning Flies
Step 1. Mix water and cayenne pepper powder as a natural fly repellent spray
Flies and some other insects cannot tolerate heat and will avoid spicy foods. Put 250 ml of water into a misting bottle, then add 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of cayenne pepper. Spray the mixture on areas such as doorways and windowsills to rid the house of annoying pests.
- You can also chop or grind fresh cayenne pepper, or use dry chili powder when making the fly repellent mixture. Dried chili has a higher power and effectiveness, but its potency dissipates faster. Re-spray the repellent mixture if the odor is no longer visible.
- Ginger is another spice that can repel flies. Use ginger when if chili powder is not available.
Step 2. Plant scented plants like basil near your door or window
To naturally keep flies away, you can also use kitchen ingredients, such as scented herbs or spices. Herbs such as lavender, lemongrass, and mint are some options that you can try. Prepare planting media near places frequented by flies (eg around doors, windows, orchards, and water). In addition, do not place the planting media in places that you often visit to enjoy the weather.
- For growing herbs, use neutral or potting soil. You can grow herbs in small plant boxes, pots, or soil. Make sure the soil has good drainage and gets 6 hours of sun exposure every day.
- These plants are non-toxic so you can grow them safely. You can also keep small boxes of herbs near the windowsill to keep flies away.
Step 3. Fill a small bag with herbs to protect pantries
Buy a few small sachets or perfume pouches and fill them with herbs you like. Cloves can be a good choice, but you can also use alternative herbs like basil and lemongrass. After that, place the herbal sachets in areas that need protection, such as the snack cupboard. It's a good idea to place the sachet or bag of herbs in a closed place and not exposed to the wind which can weaken the intensity of the herbal aroma.
Replace the herbs when they start to lose their power. When the aroma of the herbs is no longer available, discard the herbs and fill the bag with new herbs
Step 4. Blow off flies outdoors with a high-power fan
The little flies that annoy you can't withstand the awesome power of the fan. When having an outdoor party, for example, place fans around the guest area and the food table. Despite trying to interfere, the swarm of flies still couldn't keep their body balanced in the air.
This method can also be followed indoors. Turn on a fan in an area where flies frequent. The downside of this method is that the flies will only "spread" elsewhere and won't be killed immediately, so you'll still need to use a trap or a vacuum cleaner to catch them
Step 5. Use chemical fly spray to treat serious annoyances
This spray can kill flies quickly and effectively, but is quite toxic to humans and pets. For best results, buy a product that contains pyrethrum and spray it on areas frequented by flies. Protect yourself by wearing a breathing mask before using the spray. Repeat this process for (maximum) 2 weeks to completely eradicate flies from the room.
- Since chemical sprays are harsh, clean the area that has been treated. Keep people and pets away from the area for a few hours while the area is aerated.
- If you need to get rid of small swarms of flies that are easy to handle, it's a good idea to set up a trap first. Fruit flies, for example, are fairly easy to deal with with liquid sugar and a little patience.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning and Securing the House
Step 1. Seal the trash bag and put the lid on the trash can
For flies, garbage is the number one source of food, but making a house free of waste is not as easy as one might think. Dispose of trash as soon as possible and place it in a trash bag placed in a covered trash can. That way, the swarm of flies can't bother you!
- To make the trash can area safer, install a coating on the inside of the trash can to keep it clean. Throw it away or empty it when it is full, and wash the trash can if it gets spilled.
- When cleaning the trash can, also check for spills that may have spilled over into the surrounding area. Sometimes, food falls to the ground and is not easily seen. If you see swarms of flies around a clean, closed trash can, there may be an unseen food spill.
Step 2. Store food in containers and throw it away after it rots
You are the owner of the food so don't let the swarms of flies control it. Store food in sealed containers or jars. Place the container or jar in the refrigerator or cupboard (depending on the food being stored). If the food starts to rot, throw it away immediately so the flies don't come and land.
Watch out for the leftovers! Swarms of flies usually flock to sugary drinks and rotting food. However, both can be used as traps so take the opportunity
Step 3. Clean up spills of drinks or food in the house when they are visible
Drink spills are easier to spot and absorb using paper towels, but don't forget solid food spills. Usually, food crumbs fall and enter hard-to-reach areas. Take the time to check the underside of the stove (for example) for any leftover food from last night that fell. By cleaning up spills right away, you can get rid of the food source for the swarm before it is found.
Flies like wet places with rotting food. Check the inside of the drain pipe, the main compartment of the dishwasher, and under the kitchen utensils for food residue and moisture. Clean these areas as often as possible so as not to become a “paradise” for swarms of flies
Step 4. Fix the protective screen and cover the gaps in the walls of the house
To prevent flies from getting in, find a usable entrance. No matter how beautiful the exterior of your home is, cracks can still form in the walls and insulation. Look for cracks or gaps by checking the condition of the house. After that, cover the holes or cracks with putty, weather striping, and protective wire mesh.
- As much as possible, close doors and windows. But with protective netting, you can open doors and windows when the weather is sunny, without worrying about swarms of flies getting in.
- Pay more attention to the area where the two walls meet. These areas usually have gaps or holes that need to be closed. Put a little putty into the hole to seal it.
Step 5. Drain standing water to remove water sources
Watch for puddles that form after heavy rains. Also, be aware of water collecting in buckets, bird baths, and other areas. Clean and dry the areas so the flies don't have water to drink.
- To [improve soil drainage in the yard], change the indentation, aerate it, or mix it with sand. In addition, mow the grass in the yard to reduce the amount of water stored under the grass.
- Be wary of damp areas in your home, such as drain areas and leaking pipes. Clean and repair these areas as needed to keep the house dry.
Step 6. Remove leaves or other trash around the house
You might not think that flies will live around simple things like dry leaves, but actually swarms of flies are commonplace and live on organic waste like that. It's a good idea to get rid of dry leaves, animal waste, and other potentially food sources as soon as possible. Cleaning and arranging the yard is an important part of repelling flies.
Place the compost pile at least 6 meters away from the house building so that swarms of flies do not enter
Tips
- Flies usually eat rotting food and garbage. Usually, fly nuisance problems can be treated by removing food and trash.
- Identify the source of the disturbance by looking for places frequented by flies. For example, fruit flies often fly around kitchen sinks, but meat flies usually gather around walls with carrion or animal droppings around.
- If possible, keep an eye on the flies to find out the species. Their body shape or color can help you determine the most efficient way to deal with the problem at hand.
