How to Get Rid of House Flies
Remove house flies fast and reduce the reasons they keep entering your home.
Quick Answer: Fast Steps
1. Remove exposed food and trash: Don't leave pet food or human food out.
2. Clean bins and surfaces: Eliminate the odors attracting them indoors.
3. Use traps or sprays if needed: UV traps or sticky paper work well for adults.
4. Close entry points: Fix screens and keep doors shut.
5. Keep the home less attractive: Long-term sanitation is key.
What Are House Flies and Where Do They Come From?
House flies (Musca domestica) are the most common, wide-spread insect pest in the world. They are exactly what they sound like—the common, larger flies (about 1/4 inch long) with gray thoraxes and red eyes that buzz loudly around your home and repeatedly land on your counters.
Unlike fruit flies which stick strictly to sugars and fruits, house flies will land on almost anything, from fresh food to garbage to feces, making them prolific disease carriers. If you want to know how to get rid of house flies fast, you have to understand that almost all of them breed outside your home first, then fly indoors seeking food.
Why Are There House Flies in My Home?
House flies possess an incredible sense of smell. They can detect food sources from miles away. Common inside attractants include:
- Trash containing spoiled food: Any unsealed meat, dairy, or vegetable matter.
- Unprotected food: Crumbs on counters, uncovered fruit bowls, or dirty dishes in the sink.
- Pet food: Dog and cat food left out all day is a massive attractant.
- Outdoor sources: Dog waste left in the yard near windows, or unwashed outdoor garbage bins placed right by the back door.
- Easy Access: Frequently opened doors, torn window screens, and gaps underneath doors.
How to Get Rid of House Flies Fast (Indoor Strategies)
1. Eliminate the Indoor Food Source
The quickest way to get rid of house flies inside is to starve them out. Walk through your kitchen and dining areas. Put all food in airtight locking containers or the refrigerator. Wash all dirty dishes immediately, and take out the kitchen trash if it contains food scraps. When there is nothing to eat, they will attempt to find a way back outside.
2. Use Passive Traps
Don't use stinky baited fly traps indoors (they smell terrible and attract more flies inside). Instead, use sticky ribbons hung near windows where flies naturally gather to find sunlight. For a cleaner look, use plug-in UV light traps. The flies are drawn to the ultraviolet light at night and get stuck to the hidden glue board behind the light.
3. Natural Repellents
House flies hate certain smells. Using essential oil diffusers or sprays containing strong concentrations of peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, or lemongrass around your entryways can deter them from crossing the threshold.
How to Keep House Flies Away Permanently (Outdoor Strategies)
Prevention is the only permanent cure. Since almost all house fly infestations start outdoors, that is where your perimeter defense must begin.
Manage the Garbage Area
Move outdoor trash cans as far away from doors and windows as possible. Hose out the bins monthly using soap or a specialized bin-cleaning service to remove the fermented sludge at the bottom.
Yard Maintenance
If you have a dog, picking up their waste daily is non-negotiable. Dog feces is the number one breeding ground for house flies in residential areas.
Seal the House
Inspect all window screens. A tiny tear is an open door for a fly. Apply weather stripping to the bottoms and sides of exterior doors.
Outdoor Trapping
Place highly odorous commercial baited fly traps or fly trap bags on the perimeter of your yard (far from the house). These will draw the population away from your living space entirely.
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