how to get rid of flies in house

Introduction

Flies buzzing around your home are more than just annoying. They contaminate food, spread bacteria, and make your living space feel dirty. If you’re wondering how to get rid of flies in the house quickly and for good, you need a combination of targeted removal methods and long-term prevention.

This guide covers why flies show up, proven ways to eliminate them, effective natural remedies, and practical prevention tips you can start using today.

Why Flies Appear in Your House

Understanding why flies are in your home helps you choose the right solution. Different types of flies are attracted to different things.

Common Types of House Flies

• House flies: Gray flies that hover around kitchens, garbage, and food. They feed and breed in decaying organic matter.
• Fruit flies: Tiny brown or tan flies, often seen around ripe or rotting fruits, vegetables, and sugary liquids.
• Drain flies: Small, moth-like flies around sinks, showers, and floor drains, breeding in the gunk inside pipes.
• Fungus gnats: Small flies around houseplants, attracted to damp soil and decaying plant material.

Main Reasons Flies Come Indoors

• Food sources: Exposed food, dirty dishes, pet food, and crumbs attract flies quickly.
• Garbage and organic waste: Overflowing trash, recycling with liquid residue, compost bins, and yard waste near the house.
• Moisture and drains: Standing water, clogged drains, leaky pipes, and damp mops or rags.
• Entry points: Open doors and windows, torn window screens, gaps around doors, vents, and utility lines.
• Breeding sites: Rotting fruit, old leftovers, dirty trash cans, litter boxes, and even dead insects or rodents in hidden areas.

To truly eliminate flies, you must remove both adult flies and the places they breed.

5 Proven Methods to Get Rid of Flies in the House

Use several of these methods at once for faster, more permanent results.

1. Eliminate the Source (Deep Clean and Declutter)

If you just trap or spray flies without removing what attracts them, they will keep coming back.

Steps:

• Kitchen:
  • Wash all dishes promptly; don’t leave dirty dishes overnight.
  • Wipe counters, stovetops, and tables with an all-purpose cleaner after meals.
  • Clean under appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher) where food often falls.
  • Store fruits and vegetables in the fridge or in sealed containers.
• Garbage:
  • Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
  • Take out kitchen garbage daily, especially if it contains food waste.
  • Rinse recycling items (bottles, cans, jars) to remove sticky residue.
  • Wash and disinfect trash cans weekly using hot soapy water or a bleach solution (about 1:10 bleach to water).
• Hidden sources:
  • Check under sinks, behind furniture, and in closets for forgotten food or spills.
  • Inspect pet feeding areas; clean bowls and mats daily.
  • Empty and clean indoor compost containers regularly.

Often, a thorough cleaning alone can drastically reduce fly numbers in a few days.

2. Use Fly Traps (Commercial and DIY)

Fly traps remove existing adult flies without heavily relying on chemicals.

Commercial Fly Traps

• Sticky fly strips: Hang near windows, doors, or problem areas. Flies land and get stuck. Replace when full or dusty.
• UV light traps: Attract flies using light and trap or zap them. Best for kitchens and indoor areas where you want low odor and no chemicals.
• Bait traps: Often used for outdoor or garage areas. They contain an attractant; flies enter and can’t get out.

DIY Fly Traps

Simple vinegar and dish soap trap (great for fruit flies):

• Pour apple cider vinegar into a small bowl or jar (about 1–2 cm deep).
• Add a few drops of dish soap and stir gently.
• Leave the container uncovered on the counter near the problem area.

The vinegar attracts flies, and the soap breaks the surface tension so they sink and drown.

Plastic bottle fly trap (for house flies):

• Cut the top third off a plastic bottle.
• Invert the top into the bottom to form a funnel.
• Add bait: a bit of sugar water, fruit, or a small piece of meat (for strong attraction, use outdoors or in garages).
• Secure the two parts with tape and place where flies are active.

3. Target Drains and Moist Areas (For Drain Flies and Gnats)

If you see flies hovering around sinks, showers, or floor drains, they are likely breeding in the organic slime in your pipes.

Steps:

• Use a stiff brush or pipe brush to scrub the inside of the drain as far down as you can reach.
• Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain slowly.
• Follow with a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar. Let it fizz for 10–15 minutes.
• Flush again with very hot water.
• Repeat daily for 3–5 days for heavy infestations.

For severe problems, consider using a commercial drain gel designed to break down organic build-up (follow label instructions). Avoid using harsh chemicals together (like bleach and ammonia) to prevent dangerous fumes.

4. Apply Insect Sprays and Aerosols Carefully

Insect sprays can kill adult flies quickly, but they should be used strategically and safely.

Use:

• Aerosol fly sprays for quick knockdown in high-traffic areas (read labels for indoor use and safety precautions).
• Residual sprays (for cracks and crevices) if recommended for flies and safe for indoor use.

Important safety guidelines:

• Remove pets and cover food and food-prep surfaces before spraying.
• Ventilate the area after use (open windows, run exhaust fans).
• Do not rely solely on sprays; combine with cleaning and traps.

For those sensitive to chemicals, limit sprays and focus on traps and sanitation.

5. Call a Professional Pest Control Service

If you have a large, persistent fly problem that doesn’t improve within a week or two of cleaning and trapping, there may be a hidden breeding source.

Call a professional if:

• You notice a sudden large swarm of flies, especially in one area or room.
• You suspect a dead rodent or bird in a wall, attic, or crawl space.
• Flies keep returning despite thorough cleaning and trapping.

Professionals can identify the species, locate breeding sites, and use targeted treatments that aren’t available to consumers.

Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Flies

If you prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, these natural methods can be very effective, especially when used together.

Herbs and Plants Flies Dislike

Flies avoid certain strong-smelling plants. While they won’t completely solve a serious infestation, they help reduce activity.

• Basil: Place fresh basil plants near windows and doors.
• Mint: Grow in pots near entryways (but keep it contained; it spreads quickly).
• Lavender: Use dried lavender sachets or live plants near windows.
• Bay leaves, rosemary: Keep small pots or bunches in the kitchen.

Essential Oil Sprays

Some essential oils work as natural fly repellents.

Basic fly-repellent spray:

• Fill a spray bottle with water.
• Add 10–15 drops of essential oil such as eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, or citronella.
• Shake well and spray around doors, windows, and problem areas (avoid directly on pets and food).

Reapply frequently; natural oils evaporate quickly and don’t have long-lasting effects like commercial insecticides.

Homemade Fly Paper

If you prefer a non-commercial version of sticky traps:

• Mix equal parts sugar, honey, and water, then simmer until thick.
• Cut strips of paper (like brown paper bags).
• Soak the strips in the mixture, then let them dry slightly.
• Hang them near areas where flies are active.

The sweet coating attracts flies and traps them on the sticky surface.

Natural Solutions for Houseplants

For fungus gnats around indoor plants:

• Let the top 2–3 cm of soil dry out between waterings.
• Water from the bottom (by filling the tray) instead of from the top.
• Top-dress plant soil with a 1–2 cm layer of sand to discourage breeding.
• Use yellow sticky traps placed near the soil surface to catch adults.

Prevention Tips: How to Keep Flies Out Long-Term

Once you’ve reduced the current fly population, prevention keeps them from coming back.

1. Seal Entry Points

• Install or repair window and door screens. Ensure there are no tears or gaps.
• Use weatherstripping on doors to close small gaps where flies can enter.
• Close doors quickly; avoid leaving doors wide open without screens.
• Check around vents, utility lines, and gaps in walls or foundations; seal with caulk or foam where appropriate.

2. Manage Food and Waste

• Store food in sealed containers or the refrigerator.
• Clean up spills and crumbs immediately.
• Don’t leave pet food out all day; offer at specific times and then remove leftovers.
• Empty indoor trash frequently, especially in warm weather.
• Keep outdoor garbage bins closed and positioned away from doors and windows.

3. Control Moisture and Organic Build-Up

• Fix leaking faucets and pipes.
• Don’t leave wet mops, rags, or sponges sitting in buckets or sinks.
• Clean drains monthly with baking soda and vinegar or a drain-cleaning product to prevent slime build-up.
• Ensure good ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce moisture.

4. Maintain Outdoor Areas

• Keep garbage, compost, and recycling bins covered and clean.
• Pick up pet waste from the yard frequently.
• Remove standing water (old buckets, clogged gutters, unused birdbaths).
• Keep grass trimmed and reduce piles of yard waste near the house.

5. Routine Inspection and Cleaning

• Do a quick weekly check of high-risk areas: kitchen, garbage storage, bathrooms, and around pet areas.
• Deep clean the kitchen (including under appliances and inside trash cans) at least once a month.
• Use a few low-maintenance traps near doors and windows as an early warning and control method.

FAQ

How do I get rid of flies in my house fast?

Combine quick-kill and removal methods:

• Remove exposed food and take out trash.
• Set multiple fly traps (vinegar traps for fruit flies, sticky traps for house flies).
• Use an indoor fly aerosol spray in heavily infested rooms, following safety directions.

Most households see a big reduction within 24–48 hours when they do all three.

What smells do flies hate?

Flies dislike strong herbal and citrus scents. Common repellents include:

• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Citronella
• Basil and bay leaves

Use these as essential oil sprays or by placing fresh plants near entry points.

Why are there so many flies all of a sudden?

A sudden surge usually means:

• A new food or breeding source appeared (rotting fruit, old garbage, dead animal).
• Weather change (warmer temperatures) caused eggs to hatch.
• A window, door, or screen was left open, allowing many flies in at once.

Inspect for hidden food, spills, or dead pests, and clean thoroughly.

How long does it take to get rid of a fly infestation?

With active cleaning, traps, and targeted treatments, most minor indoor fly problems improve within a few days and are under control in 1–2 weeks. Severe infestations with hidden breeding sites may take longer and often require professional help.

Can flies make you sick?

Yes. Flies land on garbage, feces, and decaying matter, picking up bacteria and pathogens. When they land on your food or kitchen surfaces, they can transfer germs that may cause stomach upset or infections. That’s why controlling flies is important for hygiene and health.

What is the best natural way to get rid of fruit flies?

Focus on two things:

• Remove breeding sites: Throw away overripe fruit, wipe sticky spills, and rinse bottles and cans.
• Trap the adults: Use apple cider vinegar and dish soap traps near where you see them.

Most fruit fly problems can be cleared in a few days using this approach.

When should I call a professional pest control service?

Call a professional if:

• You see large numbers of flies repeatedly, even after cleaning and using traps.
• There’s a bad smell or you suspect something dead in a wall, attic, or crawl space.
• You have infants, elderly, or immunocompromised family members and can’t control the infestation quickly on your own.

By combining good sanitation, smart trapping, natural deterrents, and consistent prevention, you can get rid of flies in your house and stop them from coming back.