How To Kill Flies Without Chemicals

Once in a while, one or two house flies will find their way into your house, and you can dispatch the pesky critters with a fly swatter. However, if you are experiencing a fly infestation, you need extra measures. This article shows you how to kill flies using non-toxic pest control methods. 

Prevention is better than extermination

Musca domestica, the common housefly, is usually considered a disease-spreading nuisance, but it is a crucial pollinator for fruit trees. So, if you don't have a fly problem right now, it is best to take preventative measures to avoid one.

The surest way to prevent flies is to remove anything that invites them into your immediate environment. House flies usually congregate near decaying organic matter, which is a food source and breeding ground for them. 

In warmer months, fly eggs mature in a week or less. Female flies can lay up to 500 eggs within four days but need protein to reproduce. House flies usually live for 15 to 25 days, but without food, they survive for about two to three days.

So be sure to bury potential food sources like rotting meat or pet waste deep in the ground. Also, If you keep small garbage cans in your kitchen, you must remove them immediately.

Here are 15 chemical-free methods to get rid of flies quickly 

1. Cultivate fly-repellent plants

Certain herbs, shrubs, and trees can help get rid of flies outdoors. These plants keep these bugs away due to their strong scent. A few examples are lemon grass, basil, West Indian lantana, lavender, eucalyptus, neem tree, mint, and citronella.

2. Vinegar mix

If you mix apple cider vinegar and dish soap, you create a simple fly trap. The vinegar's fermentation smell is irresistible to flies, but as they attempt to taste it, the dish soap will make them sink into the liquid and drown. 

Some people cover the top of the jar or bowl with cling film and poke holes so flies can enter but can't come out.

3. Use essential oils

Some essential oils can repel flies. A study showed that lavender, cinnamon, and vetiver oils are toxic to house flies¹. You can also use eucalyptus oil and a blend of other oils.

You must dilute your essential oil with a carrier or other solution. Then, spray it or put a few drops on a cloth and place it in the affected area.

4. Pine sol solution 

Pine’s refreshing scent is off-putting to flies, so you can use Pine Sol as a fly repellent. Mix equal parts of Pine Sol and water, pour into a spray bottle, and apply it anywhere flies congregate in or outside your home. 

5. Cayenne pepper spray

A simple mixture of cayenne pepper and hot water is excellent for repelling flies. You just need to spray it around entrances. Be careful; the mixture might irritate your eyes and nose if you're sensitive to pepper. 

6. Fly paper

The fly paper has a super sticky surface with a fragrance that flies are attracted to. It is most useful when you need to get rid of flies outdoors because the trapped flies are visible on the paper, and that's not pretty. Also, they aren't reusable, so you must wait for fly papers to catch the most flies before disposal.

7. Lemon and baking soda

If you notice flies congregating around your kitchen sink drain, there's likely a rotting blockage attracting them. You can clean the drain pipe using lemon juice and baking soda to get rid of them.

First, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of lemon juice or vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about an hour before flushing it.

8. Create a funnel trap

You can create a simple fly trap with a little bit of sugar water and a handmade paper funnel. You can use plastic bottles or jars for this trap. 

First, pour your sugar-water mix into the container and fold a piece of paper into a funnel shape. For a plastic bottle, remove the cap, cut off the top third, and invert it to a tunnel. 

The flies will follow the sweet scent into the container but won't be able to get out through the narrow opening.

9. Clove water

Clove is an extremely useful spice that can help get rid of flies, among other things. To prepare this repellent, put about two tablespoons of cloves in boiling water. Let it cook until the water turns dark brown. Once it cools, you will receive an all-natural fly-repellent spray.

Alternatively, you can place a small cup of dried cloves around the house.

10. Citrus oil

Another flu repellent you can try is citrus oil spray. Many commercial fly repellents use it. You can make it at home using the peels of limes, lemons, oranges, or grapefruits. Boil the citrus peel for 15 to 20 minutes. While the water boils, you can add citronella oil and some lemon grass for extra kick. When the mixture cools, spray it.

11. Citronella candles

You might find the smell of citronella soothing, but flies do not. That's why the plant is a common ingredient for repelling flies. If you can get them, citronella candles will help repel flies. Thankfully, you can use the candles indoors and outside.

12. Hang dried herbs 

Some people say if you put certain dried herbs in a muslin bag and hang it on your doorways, it will discourage flies from entering. Those herbs include bay leaves, mint, catnip, lavender, marigold, and cloves.

13. Biological control 

You can use certain animals or plants to kill flies. Birds and frogs eat flies, so you can put bird feeders or a frog pond in your yard. You can also plant the Venus flytrap. 

However, biological pest control for managing fly problems comes with its challenges. For example, standing water for frogs will attract mosquitoes. Additionally, if you have a garden that needs pollination, these insectivores can't discriminate between the bugs you need and those you don't; they'll eat them all.

14. Mechanical and electrical fly traps

You can buy ready-to-go traps if you don't have time to make home remedies for killing flies. These traps use light or bait to attract flies.

A Mechanical trap works using trap doors that prevent flies from escaping. An electric trap kills flies and other insects using electric shocks. 

We love that these traps are reusable.

15. Use a fan

Turn on a fan for immediate fly control. The strong air current in an indoor environment will disrupt the fly’s flight pattern. 

You can use a tabletop fly fan at picnics, outdoor dinners, and similar events. The fan simply shoots away the pesky insects. Most fly fans are decorative; you just need to pick one that matches your style.

Keeping flies away 

Once you get rid of a fly infestation, you should take measures to prevent future occurrences.

Here are a few things to do 

Keep flies out.

Seal small cracks around your doors and windows. Also, use net screens for your windows and doors.

Stop them from breeding.

Remove any material that flies are attracted to and can serve as a breeding ground for flies. Keep your garbage cans closed and far away from the entrances of your house. 

Do regular cleaning.

In addition to daily cleaning, make arrangements to thoroughly clean and disinfect your home every other week. Insect pests, including flies, don't thrive in clean environments.

Final thoughts: How To Kill Flies Naturally

Chemical insecticides are not the most environmentally friendly option when you need to get rid of flies. There are many trusted natural solutions and fly traps, some of which we shared in this article. The right method for you depends on individual circumstances. 

However, if you try all the eco-friendly methods we have listed and the fly issue persists, it may be time to bring in pest control professionals.