No one wants flies buzzing around the house. They're a pain in the behind, and they can spread disease. Once they're in your home, they're incredibly difficult to get rid of. The best thing to do is to keep them from intruding in the first place!
Though fly repellents from stores are safe to use, some folks prefer making their own in order to know the exact ingredients they're spraying. If you'd prefer to start making your own fly repellent, check out the 10 natural repellers below!
Imagine being able to keep your windows open and not having to worry about letting a hoard of flies into your home. On breezy summer afternoons, that sounds like an absolute dream, don't you think so?
Do you have a fly problem? Will you be trying out any of these methods for keeping them away?
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Thumbnail Photos: Flickr / Alisha Vargas, Wikimedia Commons / Alexey Goral
1. Pennies
No one is really sure why this works, but some folks swear by it.
If you fill a clear plastic baggie with water, toss a few pennies in there, and hang it up in the problem area, you'll no longer be swarmed with flies.
Some say that it's because the water magnifies the pennies and makes them look like another insect's eyes, while others say that the reflected and refracted light from the water molecules are too overwhelming for the fly's strong eyes. The Farm Bureau cites both of these possibilities.
2. Basil
If you keep sweet basil in your home, then you're likely already deterring house flies from invading.
The strong scent and natural oils in basil plants keep house flies away, according to Gardening Knowhow.
3. Cloves And Lemon
Get Rid Of Flies Guide suggests sticking cloves into lemon halves to deter flies. They hate the smell of both the cloves and the lemons, so it's a double whammy!
This works best on house flies, but will still be pretty effective on other varieties.
4. Garlic
Flies, along with other pests such as mosquitos and ticks, cannot stand the sulfur compounds found in garlic. If you eat a lot of it, they won't come near you. But what does "a lot" mean?
According to Long Lake Lodge, about two to four cloves a day should be good for adults. Finally, an excuse to load up on garlic bread!
5. Dish Soap
Take a gallon of soft water and add 2.5 tablespoons of dish soap and vegetable oil. Mix together and use as a spray on plants to keep flies and other insects away.
SF Gate suggests doing a test patch on your plants, waiting 24 hours, and checking to make sure there is no damage before you move forward with a full treatment.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
To make your own fly repellent spray, raw apple cider vinegar is a great base.
The Prairie Homestead suggests mixing four cups of vinegar with 20 drops rosemary essential oil, 20 drops basil essential oil, 20 drops peppermint essential oil, two tablespoons olive oil, and one tablespoon dish soap. Spray this concoction around your home to keep the flies away.
7. Lavender
According to Natural and Healthy Living, flies hate the scent of lavender, which is lovely for you, because it really smells and looks beautiful!
If you plant lavender in your garden near your doorways, flies are much less likely to buzz into your home. If you have lavender planted in your garden, then you can snip some of it to bring inside on a regular basis.
8. Eucalyptus
According to Experience Essential Oils, eucalyptus oil is a natural repellent of flies.
Drip a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil on scraps of fabric, or place them into containers near windows and doors. However, avoid this method if you are pregnant or have had a reaction to eucalyptus oils before. Instead, use one of the other listed choices.
9. Vodka
Flies and other insects hate the smell of vodka. Do It Yourself suggests placing plain vodka in a spray bottle and misting your skin with it.
If you don't like the smell, you can add basil or lavender essential oil to make it more pleasant.
10. Lemongrass
Much like lavender and basil, flies and mosquitos hate the smell of lemongrass.
Lemongrass is actually the plant from which citronella is derived. You can diffuse the essential oil in your home to keep the pesky insects away.
Do you have a fly problem? Please SHARE these simple and unique repellents with your family and friends on Facebook!
