You’re about to have a delicious barbecue on your terrace.
You’ve just lit the grill, and you’re waiting for the coals to turn white-hot so that they can cook your burgers, hot dogs, and chicken breasts.
How did this happen? How did you get flies all over your food? How do you get rid of them?
The answer is pretty simple: Don’t let them land in the first place.
That’s why we created some steps for how to get rid of flies outside the patio!
Why Are There So Many Flies Outside My House?
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There are many reasons why you might be seeing flies congregating outside your home.
One of the most common reasons is that there is a breeding ground for them near your house.
If you have a problem with flies, finding and eliminating the source of their breeding will be key to getting rid of them.
House flies are particularly drawn to rubbish and organic waste because of their preference for nectar.
This means that if you have a lot of garbage lying around or your compost pile is too close to your house, and you’ll likely see more flies.
In addition, these pests can infect anything else they come into contact with when they fall on those objects.
So not only are flies unsightly and annoying, but they can also be dangerous if they spread disease.
Why Is It Important To Get Rid of Flies?
It is important to get rid of flies because they can be a nuisance and a health hazard.
House flies are attracted to garbage and other organic waste, which means that they can spread disease if they come into contact with food or surfaces that people touch.
In addition to being a health hazard, flies can also be frustrating because of their habit of buzzing around people’s heads and landing on them.
To get rid of flies from your house, eliminate the source of their presence.
If you have a garbage problem, clean up regularly so that there is a less organic waste for flies to be attracted to.
In addition, keep all food sealed in containers so as not to attract any flies. Finally, use a fly trap to catch the flies that are already in your house.
How to Get Rid of Flies Outside Patio
There are a few things you can do to get rid of flies outside your patio.
Vinegar and Water
Instead of purchasing expensive commercial fly strips, make your own by using some simple ingredients like vinegar and water.
The flies will be attracted to the vinegar but then repelled by the water, leaving your outdoor area fly-free.
Vodka
Another way is to use vodka. The flies are attracted to the smell of it but quickly scatter once they get close enough to realize that this liquid isn’t something they want around their food or young.
You can always swat flies if you’re looking for something fast, effective, and weirdly pleasurable at the same time!
Use a citronella candle.
Using a citronella candle is a great way to keep flies away from your patio without using any harsh chemicals or poisons.
They work by emitting a citronella scent that the flies don’t like, so they stay away.
You can also buy candles that have both a citronella and peppermint scent, which are known to be especially effective in getting rid of flies.
Natural fly traps
If you’re not a fan of using harsh chemicals or candles, another option is to make your own fly traps.
All you need is one cup of sugar and one-quarter cup of water. Mix the two together and put it in a jar or container with some holes poked in the lid.
The flies will be drawn to the sugar water but won’t be able to get out and will eventually die.
Oscillating fan
Finally, you can also keep flies away from your patio by installing an oscillating fan in your backyard.
This will create a wind that deters the flies from coming near. You can buy fans especially made for outdoor use, or just get any fan and set it up in your patio.
You can even buy fans that are solar-powered, so they never need to be plugged in!
Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Corn Flies Naturally
What Smells Do Flies Hate?
Flies are attracted to odors, including food scents.
You can use fragrance oils that smell like anything you want in order to attract them into the trap and then kill them with all-natural bug spray or essential oil diffusers.
Citronella is one of the most common ingredients in commercial insect repellants because it has a strong lemon scent.
Anything with a strong scent will probably work, but you may want to try cloves or peppermint oil.
One thing that flies really hate is the smell of vinegar and baking soda.
You can mix them together in equal parts for an all-natural fly repellent that smells bad to flies, but not humans!
Vinegar and witch hazel also work well together as a fly repellent.
Another great option is to use lemongrass oil.
It has a strong citrus smell that flies hate.
You can add it to vodka for an effective fly repellent or diffuser blend.
Whatever you do, make sure it smells strongly to humans, too!
You will want everyone in the house to be able to enjoy your fly repellent.
People should not have a problem if you use lemongrass oil or cloves because they both smell great.
If you do not like these options for some reason, try vodka and essential oils instead.
How To Keep Flies Away
Flies are a common summertime pest.
They buzz around your head, get into your food, and can be generally annoying.
There is no substitute for getting rid of these pests, but there are some things you can do to discourage them and maggots from returning once you’ve exterminated the infestation.
Regularly cut your yard and remove any rotting fruit or other organic debris.
Maintain hygienic bird feeders and water sources to prevent flies from breeding in the area.
Take care around standing water like potted plants, buckets, and garbage cans that might allow houseflies to rest while waiting for food scraps.
There are several plants that might help keep pesky flies away from your patio permanently.
Fly-repelling herbs like lavender, rosemary, and basil can be planted inside and outside the home to keep pests away.
You can also use essential oils like peppermint or citronella oil to make your own natural fly repellent.
DIY solutions are a great way to save money while keeping your environment safe.
Conclusion
Getting rid of flies outside the patio can be a tricky business.
But with the right plants, deterrents, and a clean environment, you’ll find that your fly problem will quickly disappear for good!
One great way to keep flies away is by planting herbs in pots on the perimeter of your porch or deck.
These include basil, lavender, peppermint, and thyme, which are all known to deter houseflies from coming near them.
You could also try hanging up citrus peels like lemons or oranges inside or outside your home as these contain oils which houseflies dislike.
