Is The Disco Ball Hack The Secret To Getting Rid Of Yard Flies?

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Summertime generally involves plenty of time outdoors while grilling, gardening, or simply soaking up some sun. Unfortunately, you will probably not be the only one at the barbecue. Flies have a way of showing up to every backyard hang uninvited, swarming upon your drinks, snacks, and worst of all, your face. So after the internet revived a shiny, old-school theory with flair — hanging a disco ball to keep flies away – homeowners were eager to give it a try. 

The idea of deterring pests from invading your patio with a playful touch sounds like an easy win-win. Whether that viral hack actually holds up is another matter.

The logic behind the disco-ball hack is all about lighting and is similar to homeowners using reflective strips in their garden to deter birds. Flies are extremely sensitive to sources of light, which can disturb their patterns. When the mirrored ball catches sunlight, it reflects the beams in multiple directions, creating constantly shifting flashes across your yard. The theory holds that these flashes confuse flies, making them less likely to land or linger.  

To try this trick yourself, simply hang a disco ball outside where it will receive direct sunlight, whether that's above your outdoor table, near the grill, or underneath porch eaves. Some people will report fewer flies around their home, but if nothing else, the method can be an offbeat conversation starter. Yet it's also necessary to understand whether this trick is as effective as advertised.

Here's the reality: A disco ball is probably not going to solve a backyard fly infestation. Although reflective surfaces like bags filled with water or a disco ball can indeed confuse any flies that might be hovering around your food,the light reflections might only temporarily prevent them from landing. This can be effective in giving you time to add a couple of protective covers to your serving dishes. Yet where this trick fails is in its inability to remove flies from a yard after deterring and delaying them. If the flies are not caught, they will simply find a way to land that isn't blocked by confusing reflective lights.

If you're actually looking to clear the air around your garden, there are plenty of other options that can effectively get rid of flies. UV or LED traps are a favorite among homeowners for a reason: They use light rays to attract and trap unsuspecting flies. These can be surprisingly useful for managing a fly population around your outdoor spaces, and they are often a worthwhile investment. Options like the Catchmaster Vector 15 UV Light Fly Traps are also an effective solution to catching flies around your home, and citronella candles, diffusers, and sprays can add ambiance while pulling double-duty as a fly deterrent. And although flypaper strips aren't as aesthetically pleasing or fun as a disco ball, those strips will always be a go-to fix for a fly infestation.