13 Best Ways To Get Rid Of Flies

We've all been there at some point or another: faced with a house full of those pesky flies that buzz around your head and land on all your (previously) cleaned surfaces. Flies are a problem through all four seasons as they never stop reproducing, but many people notice that they get worse in the summer; this is because the heat causes them to be more active, notes Service Master. While flies aren't necessarily difficult to get rid of, you will need to be diligent and consistent in your efforts to do so as they much prefer to live in your house where food is likely plentiful rather than return to the outdoors. 

The longer you wait, the more likely the flies will reproduce, dropping hundreds of eggs within the course of their super-short lifetimes (via Country Living) — which will only complicate your unfortunate problem. Additionally, given this insect's inclination to feed off dead and decaying things — animal carcasses, feces, garbage, and open wounds and sores — the more time they spend in your home, the more exposed you are to potential diseases and other nasty particles.

The good news is that there are ways you can get rid of flies once and for all, whether it's one fly that squeezed its way in as you walked into your house from the garden or a group of them that you can't seem to shoo back outside, or even an all-out infestation. Keep reading for some ideas to try out.

A fly trap, or insect light trap, is a common form of pest control that's often used in industrial spaces to kill flies in large quantities. However, it's a great option for home environments as well. The way the traps work is by emitting UV light rays that draw the flies in, according to Terminix. When the flies land on the trap, a fatal electric shock is emitted that kills them instantly. Many light traps also include a tray at the bottom so you don't end up with electrocuted flies all over your floor. You can find light traps in a number of different places, including superstores, home improvement stores, pest service companies, and online. All you need are a simple set of tools for securing your light trap to the wall and an outlet to plug it in.

There are several different types of light traps that you can consider if you'd like to try this method. A wall mount is installed at the traveling height of most flies, around three to five feet from the ground, and is situated next to windows and doors. A freestanding light trap is great for those needing transportability as it can easily be moved from room to room and placed on counters and other surfaces. If you're worried about light traps being an eyesore in your house, you might consider a wall sconce, which functions identically to a wall mount, but is aesthetically designed.

True to their name, the Venus flytrap is one of nature's best defenses against flies. This carnivorous plant catches and eats flies that have the misfortune of entering its traps. If you're wondering how a plant manages to catch and eat flies, it's actually quite genius: The Venus flytrap releases a sweet-smelling secretion along its leaf traps that attracts flies, according to SFGate. The mechanisms that allow the traps to snap shut are triggered when a fly rubs up against hairs lining the leaves. A chemical message is sent to the trap's cells that instruct them to enlarge, the result of which forces the traps closed. 

To make matters worse, the more the fly fights to escape the trap, the tighter the trap constricts, keeping it prisoner. In order for the plant to digest the fly, which takes place over five to 12 days, it must create a seal that prevents air from getting into the traps, as per Healthline. Then the digestive juices flow freely to break down the fly and supply nutrients to the plant. At the end of the process, the plant expels the insect's exoskeleton. 

If you're interested in this natural fly trap, plant them outside the entrances to your home. You can also keep one inside your home for any flies that still make their way in, but keep in mind that you will need to supply the plant with flies if none show up on their own.

Sticky traps consist of a long, bright paper strip covered in a sticky glue surface that prevents flies from escaping once they've landed, as noted by Spalding Labs. Some sticky traps also emit odors that are designed to attract flies. This method of fly control is versatile and generally long-lasting, although traps need to be replaced when they're full or lose their stickiness, whichever comes first. Sticky traps are safe for pets, children, and humans, making them a great option for indoor use.

When installing sticky traps in your home or outdoor space, they should hang at the distance that flies travel — typically three to five feet above the ground. Since flies prefer hanging out on elevated surfaces, you can also place a few higher up towards the ceiling. The long strips of tape should also be hung in light places where flies will see them as they are attracted to the bright color — typically yellow. For example, placing a sticky trap in a closet or pantry will not be as effective at clearing your house of flies as hanging it in an open, light-filled space in plain view.

One potential downside to this method is that sticky traps are not aesthetically pleasing and can be a bit gross to look at it once they are full of flies. However, if you have a temporary fly problem, the short-lasting eyesore may be worth it to you.

This final hack is a brilliant DIY fly trap that you probably already have on hand; you'll need just one two-liter plastic soda bottle. Once you set up the trap, you'll have flies coming from all corners of your house to unknowingly face their demise. The soda bottle trap can be emptied and reset on a regular basis, making it a long-lasting solution to fly invasions. 

To make the trap, drink the bottle's contents and then rinse it out. With a pair of scissors, chop off the top third of the bottle where the label ends, directs Yahoo!. The part that will attract flies to your trap is taken care of next: juice, sugar water, or another sweet-smelling drink should fill the bottom third of the bottle (up to where the bottom edge of the label ends). Now you're ready to invert the top part that you cut off and seal into the rest of the bottle with tape or glue. Make sure you leave the cap off when you do this. 

Flies will enter the trap through the open hole in search of the sweet scent, but won't have much luck getting back out. After several minutes, they will drown in the liquid, which you can empty as often as you see fit. If you find that the trap isn't attracting as many flies as you'd like, make it even more appealing by adding some old food scraps, such as meat.

According to How Things Fly, house flies and other flying insects are affected by strong winds. On a windy day, they are slower flyers and are often forced to fly in the direction of the wind. Use this natural occurrence to your advantage and simulate windy conditions in your home. Turn your ceiling fans on high and place oscillating fans near windows or doorways to force flies to exit.

You can also add fans to your outdoor areas for the same impact. Look for fans rated for outdoor use with large blades that will produce stronger winds (via Modern Fan Outlet). Then, install them in outdoor living spaces like covered porches and pergolas. When serving food outside, set a portable fan near the table to keep flies at bay. You can also set up a misting fan as a bug-deterrent with additional cooling power (via USA Today).

Flies can squeeze through remarkably small gaps to enter your home. The University of Missouri recommends using 14 to 16-mesh screens to keep flies at bay. Make sure the screens fit the frames tightly and that there are no tears or gaps. If you find a small tear in your screen, you can use a mesh patch to cover the hole (via The Home Depot). However, if you find that your entire screen needs to be replaced, you can purchase a roll of replacement screens to use in your existing frame. This is a great opportunity to switch to a finer mesh. Cut the new screen to overlap the edges of the frame and use a spline roller to push it securely into the frame's grooves.

You should also routinely check the seals around doors and windows for any gaps that could allow flies or any other critters to enter your home. Adding weather-stripping and a door sweep to your doors can seal them and prevent flies from entering (via Mantis Pest Solutions). To seal window frames, purchase outdoor-rated caulk and a caulking gun (via wikiHow). On a dry day, remove any damaged caulk and replace the strip with a continuous flow of new caulking to guarantee a bug-tight seal.