8 Practical Tips: How to Get Flies Under Control

Flies are more than just a nuisance; they can also pose health risks. These pesky insects can transmit diseases and contaminate food. If you're dealing with a fly infestation, it's important to take action quickly before things get even more out of hand.

Why Are Flies a Problem?

Flies are attracted to food, garbage, and other organic matter. They can quickly multiply, leading to a full-blown infestation. In addition to being annoying, flies can spread diseases like:

• Salmonella
• E. coli
• Dysentery

How to Control Flies

Here are some practical tips on how to reduce the flies in and around your home:

1. Maintain Cleanliness

• Keep Surfaces Clean: Regularly clean kitchen benches, dining areas, barbeques and any surfaces where food is prepared or consumed. Flies are attracted to food residue and crumbs.
• Dispose of Rubbish Properly: Use bins with tight-fitting lids and empty them frequently to avoid attracting flies.
  

2. Eliminate Breeding Grounds

• Remove Standing Water: Flies often breed in moist areas. Check for leaking pipes, overwatered plants, and uncovered rainwater collection points.
• Compost Carefully: If you compost, ensure the bin is sealed and away from entry points of your home, and properly maintained to deter flies from laying eggs.
  

3. Block Their Entry

• Install Fly Screens: Fit windows and doors with fine mesh screens to prevent flies from entering while allowing air flow.
• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Inspect your home for gaps around doors, windows, and vents, and seal them to block entry points.

4. Use Natural Repellents

• Essential Oils: Scents like eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender are natural fly deterrents. Use them in diffusers or as sprays.
• Herb Plants: Grow basil, mint, rosemary, marigold or bay leaves near windows and doors to repel flies naturally.
  

5. Set Traps

• DIY Vinegar Traps: Fill a jar with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Cover the jar with plastic wrap, poke small holes in it, and place it away from entry points of your home but where flies are most active.
• Sticky Strips: Hang fly paper in areas where flies congregate for an inexpensive and chemical-free solution that can be effective in catching large numbers of flies.
• Indoor and Outdoor Light Traps: These attract flies with bright light and then either zap or trap them. Mount away from doors and windows to avoid attracting more flies and always follow the product's instructions.

6. Use Fans

• Flies dislike strong air currents. Strategically placed fans can deter them from entering your home or settling indoors.
  

7. Monitor Pets and Livestock

• Clean up pet waste promptly as it can attract flies, also be sure to clean their food and water bowls regularly too.
• If you have livestock, regularly clean their living areas to reduce fly breeding sites.

8. Consider Professional Pest Management

If flies persist despite your best efforts, contacting a professional pest exterminator. The team at JAE are qualified pest control experts who can identify the source of the infestation to then safely and effectively treat the flies. At JAE we also offer maintenance plans so that we can keep the flies at bay around your property long-term.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce fly activity in and around your property. But if you're dealing with a severe infestation don't hesitate to contact your local JAE team and they’ll take care of it for you!

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