How to Get Rid of House Flies? Effective Home Remedies and Prevention Tips

Are you tired of swatting away those annoying buzzing creatures in your home? House flies are not just irritating—they can also spread germs and disease. The good news is that you don’t need expensive products to solve this problem. This guide shares simple, effective ways to get rid of flies at home, with special focus on natural remedies and DIY solutions that work in Indian households.

Understanding Why Flies Invade Your Home

House flies enter our homes looking for food, water, and shelter. They can slip through the smallest openings around doors, windows, or through tiny holes in screens. These pests multiply quickly—a female fly can lay up to 150 eggs at once, which hatch within 24 hours.

The main reasons flies gather in your home include:

• Food left uncovered on counters
• Overripe fruits and vegetables
• Garbage bins without lids
• Dirty dishes in the sink
• Pet waste not cleaned promptly
• Damp areas and standing water

Understanding these causes helps create better strategies to keep your home fly-free.

Health Risks Associated with House Flies

House flies aren’t just annoying—they pose real health risks. When flies land on food, they transfer bacteria from their bodies and feet. A single fly can carry over 1 million bacteria!

Flies pick up germs from garbage, rotting matter, and animal waste, then deposit these bacteria when they land on your food or kitchen surfaces. They can spread diseases like:

• Food poisoning
• Dysentery
• Cholera
• E. coli infections
• Salmonella

This is why controlling flies isn’t just about comfort—it’s about protecting your family’s health.

7 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Flies at Home

If you prefer avoiding chemicals, here are effective natural methods to get rid of flies at home:

1. Essential Oils Spray

Flies hate certain smells that humans find pleasant. Create a natural repellent spray by mixing 10-15 drops of any of these essential oils with water in a spray bottle:

• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Lemongrass
• Peppermint
• Clove

Spray this mixture around windows, doors, and areas where flies gather. Reapply every few days for best results.

2. Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap

This simple trap works wonders for catching house flies:

• Fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar (about 1 inch deep)
• Add a few drops of dish soap
• Cover with plastic wrap
• Poke small holes in the plastic

The vinegar attracts flies with its sweet smell, while the soap breaks the surface tension, causing flies to sink and drown.

3. Fresh Basil Plants

Basil does double duty—it’s great for cooking and repels flies naturally. Place potted basil plants on windowsills or near doors to create a natural barrier against flies.

4. Cucumber Slices

Strange but true! Flies dislike the smell released by fresh cucumber slices. Place them on aluminum plates near fly hotspots to keep these pests away.

5. Cloves and Lemon

Cut a lemon in half and stick several cloves into each half. Place these on tables or counters to repel flies with their strong scent combination.

6. Camphor Tablets

Commonly available in Indian households, camphor (kapur) effectively repels flies. Light a camphor tablet and place it in rooms where flies are a problem.

7. Neem Oil Solution

Neem has been used for centuries in India as a natural insect repellent. Mix a few drops of neem oil with water and spray around entry points and areas where flies gather.

DIY Fly Traps and Repellents That Actually Work

When natural remedies aren’t enough, try these DIY traps to catch persistent flies:

Make your own sticky traps:

Sticky Fly Paper

• Cut yellow paper into strips (flies are attracted to yellow)
• Mix honey or sugar with corn syrup
• Spread the mixture on the paper
• Hang these strips where flies are common

Bottle Trap

This simple trap uses household items:

1. Cut the top off a plastic bottle
2. Place bait in the bottom (overripe fruit works well)
3. Invert the top part into the bottom, creating a funnel
4. Tape the edges together
5. Flies enter but can’t escape

Light Traps

Flies are attracted to light. Place a small light source above a bowl of soapy water. Flies will be drawn to the light and fall into the water.

How to Get Rid of Different Types of Flies

Getting Rid of Drain Flies at Home

Drain flies breed in the slimy buildup inside pipes. To eliminate them:

1. Pour boiling water down drains daily for a week
2. Mix 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 1 cup vinegar, then pour down the drain
3. Let sit overnight before flushing with hot water
4. Clean drain stoppers and screens regularly
5. Use a pipe brush to remove buildup inside pipes

For stubborn infestations, enzyme drain cleaners specifically designed to remove organic matter work well.

Tackling Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are tiny pests that hover around fruits and vegetables. To get rid of them:

1. Discard overripe produce
2. Store fruits in the refrigerator
3. Clean up spills immediately

Make a fruit fly trap by filling a small jar with:

• Apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons)
• A piece of very ripe fruit
• A drop of dish soap
• Cover with plastic wrap with tiny holes

The fruit flies will enter but cannot escape.

Preventing Flies from Entering Your Home

Prevention is always better than dealing with an infestation. Here’s how to keep flies away:

Seal Entry Points

• Install mesh screens on windows and doors
• Seal cracks around windows, doors, and walls
• Use door sweeps to block gaps under doors
• Repair holes in existing screens promptly

Maintain Proper Sanitation

The cleaner your home, the fewer flies you’ll have:

• Cover food and drinks with lids or food covers
• Clean spills immediately
• Wash dishes right after use
• Empty garbage bins daily
• Store ripe fruits in the refrigerator
• Clean pet areas regularly

Manage Outdoor Areas

What happens outside affects inside:

• Keep garbage bins away from doors and windows
• Ensure outdoor bins have tight-fitting lids
• Remove standing water from around your home
• Turn compost piles regularly if you maintain one

When to Consider Professional Pest Control

If you’ve tried multiple methods without success, it might be time to call professionals. Consider expert help when:

• The infestation is severe and widespread
• DIY methods have failed repeatedly
• You notice multiple types of flying insects
• The problem returns quickly after treatment
• You’re unable to find the source of the infestation

Professional pest controllers can identify breeding sources you might miss and have access to stronger treatments when necessary.

Conclusion: Taking Back Control of Your Home

Dealing with flies doesn’t have to be a constant battle. By combining several of the methods we’ve discussed—from natural repellents to DIY traps and preventive measures—you can effectively manage and eliminate these unwanted guests from your home.

Remember that consistency is key. A single cleaning session won’t solve a fly problem permanently. Instead, make fly prevention part of your regular home maintenance routine. Keep food covered, dispose of garbage properly, seal entry points, and use natural repellents regularly.

The best approach combines immediate action (traps and repellents) with long-term prevention (screens, sanitation, and sealing entry points). With these strategies, you can enjoy a healthier, more comfortable living space free from the annoyance and health risks that flies bring.

For persistent problems, don’t hesitate to seek professional help—sometimes an expert eye can identify issues you might have missed. By taking action today using these simple, affordable methods, you can reclaim your home from flies and keep it that way.

Need help with pests at home or work? Antipest in Andheri East, Mumbai, offers safe and simple pest control for all spaces. Call us at +91 98190 18398, email [email protected], or visit www.antipest.in to book a service. We’re here to make your place pest-free!

How to Get Rid of House Flies? – FAQs