Get Rid Of Flies In Your Garage With A Minty-Fresh Solution

With summer on its way, you may be spending more time in your garage, working on projects, or getting ready to care for your lawn and garden. With the large door open, flies are bound to wander inside and buzz around, but a little peppermint oil can help to naturally keep flies out of your house, including your garage. Research has shown that the strong scent of peppermint oil is capable of deterring fruit flies, as well as the common housefly, and that the powerful essential oil could keep flies and lice away from livestock.

While flies are typically attracted by sources of water and food, like trash, they might just come inside your garage because the door is open. If you want to enjoy time in your garage without the annoyance of these pesky insects but don't want to kill them, peppermint oil can be a great solution. This minty scent could also make your garage smell fresher and if you like peppermint, it could be enjoyable. Because the scent of peppermint oil will fade over time, you will need to put out more every so often.

It might seem like a rumor that a simple essential oil is a great way to get rid of flies, but scientific research has backed up this natural pest control method. A 2016 study originally published by Science Reports put various essential oils onto cotton wicks, such as those used in candles, along with fruit juices that would typically attract flies. The study showed that wicks soaked with peppermint oil were repellent to the flies for up to six days. While the study focused on a species of fruit flies (Drosophila suzukii), it stated that peppermint oil is effective against house flies (Musca domestica L.) as well.

Another 2009 scientific study by Vet Parasitol found that peppermint oil could deter four different species of flies, including the house flies previously mentioned, from pestering water buffalo in Egypt. These studies provide evidence that several types of flies are repelled by peppermint oil, making it a wonderful resource for easy and effective DIY pest control.

There are a few ways you could use peppermint oil to get rid of pesky flies. One easy solution would be to soak cotton balls in the oil and place them in dishes around the entrance of your garage. You might also take a mildly scented or unscented candle, add a couple of drops to the wick, and place it near your open garage door. These scents will be stronger, as the peppermint oil isn't diluted at all. This could act as a barrier to help better keep the flies out, but if you're not a fan of this scent you might not like this method.

Alternatively, you could create a peppermint oil spray. You might simply dilute several drops of the essential oil with some water and apply it around your garage door and windows. Otherwise, try adding about 15 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle with equal parts of white vinegar and water. With this essential oil, you can leave your garage door open without worrying about being swarmed by flies.