Ways to get rid of files at home include using herbs and flowers, vinegar and soap, and Venus flytraps. Insecticides, light traps, and other methods may also help.

A fly infestation may not be a major concern, but it can also spread disease. There are many safe and easy ways to prevent infestations or get rid of them when they happen.

Read on to learn about ways to get rid of flies at home. This article looks at natural remedies, insecticides, and other repellents.

It’s possible, and often even preferable, to get rid of houseflies naturally, without pesticides. The following natural remedies may help.

Herbs and flowers

You can plant herbs and flowers to keep flies away from your house. Examples of herbs and flowers that can repel flies include:

Vinegar and dish soap

A mixture of vinegar and dish soap can help you trap flies such as fruit flies. To use this method, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a glass, and add a few drops of dish soap in a tall glass.

Cover the glass with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic wrap with a rubber band and poke small holes in the top.

Flies will be attracted to the vinegar in the glass and will fly through the holes. However, the dish soap causes the flies to sink instead of being able to land on the vinegar.

Venus flytrap

Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants that eat insects. If you plant them outside, they’ll naturally eat flies. Inside, you might need to feed the plant flies, usually once every 1 to 2 weeks.

When a fly gets in the plant’s trap, it closes around the fly. It then secretes digestive fluid to dissolve the insect’s soft insides. It breaks down the insect over a few days or weeks, then spits out the exoskeleton.

Natural trap bait

You can also use foods or drinks to which flies and other insects are attracted in order to entice them into traps. These include:

  • sugar, such as molasses or brown sugar
  • wine
  • beer
  • fruit, such as bananas or apples

In addition to natural ways to get rid of houseflies, you can use insecticides and traps to kill or remove the flies.

Pyrethrin-based insecticide

When you have a large fly infestation, insecticides can be effective because they work quickly. However, they’re not effective in the long term, because flies have short life cycles and will develop resistance. Additionally, the effect of the insecticide goes away quickly.

If you do need or want to use insecticide, pyrethrin-based insecticides are common for fly infestations. Be sure that you buy an insecticide specifically for indoor use, then ventilate the area well, and follow the directions exactly.

Light trap

Light traps are boxes with a light in the back that attracts flies. When the flies try to get to the light, they’ll either be killed with an electric zap or trapped, depending on what kind of light trap you choose.

Be sure to mount light traps away from entrances and windows, so they can’t be seen from the outside. They should also be mounted within 5 feet of the floor.

Sticky traps

Sticky traps are strips of sticky paper that you can position throughout your house. They are generally easy to use, and can be an effective way of catching flies.

You can use many natural remedies and other fly repellents outside to keep flies away from your house.

You can try planting herbs and flowers such as basil or marigolds around the house, or even plant a few Venus flytraps. You can also use sticky traps outside.

You can also use insecticides outdoors, though flies will still develop resistance to them. You can spray residual pesticides, which remain active for longer than indoor pesticides, around the outside of your home.

Flies are mainly attracted by material in which they can lay their eggs. This includes:

  • rotting material, including food waste and other garbage
  • animal feces
  • manure

Bright lights at night can also attract flies.

The best way to deal with a housefly infestation is to prevent it in the first place. Make sure they don’t have areas to lay eggs and remove things that can attract the flies.

Tips that may help prevent flies in the home include the following:

  • Make sure your windows, doors, and house vents are sealed properly and free from holes or other damage.
  • Use a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid, and take the bag out as soon as it’s full.
  • Store food properly in airtight containers.
  • Don’t leave dirty dishes or glasses out on the counter.
  • Don’t leave grass clippings or leaves out to decay near your house.
  • Turn off outdoor lights at night when possible. Flies are attracted to light.
  • Avoid using rat poison to kill rodents, because the carcasses can attract flies.
  • Clean up animal feces, such as in a cat’s litter box, right away.

Natural remedies to help get rid of flies in the home include herbs and flowers, vinegar and dish soap, Venus flytraps, and natural trap bait.

Insecticides, light traps, and sticky traps can also help kill or trap flies around the home.

Preventive measures to avoid flies in the home include keeping windows and doors sealed, storing garbage properly, and turning off outdoor lights when not in use.