- Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap: Mix equal parts of vinegar and dish soap in a shallow dish. The sweetness of the vinegar attracts flies, and the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the water, causing them to drown.
- Fruit Fly Trap: Place a small piece of overripe fruit in a jar and cover it with plastic wrap. Poke tiny holes in the wrap for the flies to enter, but make sure they can’t escape. The flies will be drawn to the fruit, enter the jar, and be unable to escape.
- Sticky Fly Traps: Hang commercial sticky fly traps in affected areas. These traps are coated with a sticky substance that traps flies when they land.
Natural Repellents:
- Basil: Place basil plants on windowsills and in other areas where flies are a problem. The smell of basil is a natural repellent for flies.
- Peppermint Oil: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and mist it around your house. Peppermint oil is another effective natural fly repellent.
- Garlic: Place cloves of garlic around your house, particularly near entry points and where you’ve noticed fly activity. The strong smell of garlic can deter flies.
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon powder on windowsills and other areas where flies enter your home. Cinnamon is a natural fly repellent.
Exclusion:
- Screens: Make sure all windows and doors have tight-fitting screens to prevent flies from entering your home.
- Sealing Cracks: Seal any cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and other potential entry points to prevent flies from getting inside.
Sanitation:
- Keep Trash Covered: Keep all trash cans covered with tight-fitting lids to prevent flies from accessing food waste.
- Clean Spills: Clean up any food spills immediately to reduce the number of flies attracted to your home.
- Empty Water Containers: Empty any containers holding standing water, such as pet water bowls and flower vases, to eliminate potential breeding grounds for flies.