How To Get Rid Of Flies On The Patio?

Having flies around your patio is annoying, isn’t it? The humming sounds, the uncomfortable feeling on the skin if they land on there, and their dirty feet when crawling on your food.

If you are finding the best ways to get rid of flies on the patio, here are some:

Hang Water Plastic Bags Near Your Patio

Flies have compound eyes that contain around 28.000 ommatidia grouped under the cornea and they base their movement on the light.

By hanging or nailing some water plastic bags near your patio, light refraction going through them will confuse fly eyes, causing them to move onto an area where their eyes feel easier.

You will need some gallon-sized Ziploc bags or plastic bags. Fill ½ to ¾ of them with clean water. For better effects, you can add some pennies to these bags. Now, seal and hang them up.

If you have some old CDs or DVDs instead of Ziploc bags, do the same thing.

Use Essential Oils

Flies really hate lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender scent, whether you use them in potpourris, essential oil formulas, or other forms.

While these oils deter those pesky flies efficiently, they add a beautiful aroma to your patio. Additionally, the oil helps you relieve stress and feel more relaxed for a higher-quality night’s slumber.

There are several ways to use essential oils, such as:

• Add a few drops on those spots where flies frequently land

• Mix the oil with warm water and spray around the area, using a spraying bottle

• Through an essential oil diffuser

If regularly applied, the number of flies on your patio will decrease a lot.

Orange Peels

Orange peels contain 90-95% of limonene – a substance that is harmful to flies and many other insects. From that point, using orange peels as a natural fly repellant is not a bad idea.

Take note that this method works best on small patios.

Dry them and leave them in those places where flies usually appear. Once detecting the orange scent, they will flee immediately.

Camphor

This is a type of wax with an extremely strong aroma that somehow makes flies uncomfortable and instantly disappear.

But take note that camphor contains some chemicals that might not be recommended if there is a pregnant woman in the house. Besides, most camphor is colorful and shaped like candy, be aware during use if you have pets or kids.

Once touching them, always wash your hands thoroughly.

Soap

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly fly repellent, try the mixture of soap and honey.

Transfer this blend to a bowl and place it in the favorite landing spots of flies around your patio.

Since flies love honey, they will be lured to the bowl easily to enjoy it.

But again, if you have kids, choose a higher spot to place the bowl for safety.

Chili Powder

Don’t have honey in your kitchen? Try some fruit juice and chili powder instead. Mix it with soap, then pour into a spraying bottle. Apply the mixture around your patio and flies will be scared away.

Be careful while spraying because the spicy smell of chili powder might hurt your eyes. Besides, only try this method if you don’t have kids, cats, or dogs.

Black Pepper

Similar to chili powder, ground black pepper is hot and has a spicy smell, which makes flies uncomfortable.

Mix a tablespoon of finely ground black pepper, sugar, and egg yolks, then pour it into a bowl and place it on your patio. Make sure to check the mixture frequently; replace it once the bait dries.

Vinegar

Aside from honey and sugar, flies like apple cider vinegar so, why not use this kitchen ingredient to lure them?

Mix soap or dish cleaners with vinegar in a small cup, then place the cup on your patio. Or, transfer the mixture to a sprayer, shake well, and spray around the area. Repelling flies with this homemade solution will bring lots of surprising results.

Vodka

Mix one cup of vodka with one tablespoon of lemon and two tablespoons of aloe vera juice. Pour it into a spray bottle and apply it on your patio.

Bananas

Not only a nutrient-rich fruit but bananas are also an effective fly repellent.

Cut one banana into small pieces and place them in a bowl or cup. Cover it with food wrap. Next, use a toothpick to create some small holes on the food wrap surface to let the banana scent out. This will lure flies into the bowl, get trapped, and die.

Lemon

Cut a lemon in half, then put it in the microwave overnight without closing its door.

The next morning, close the microwave door, turn it on for one minute, and place the lemon pieces on your patio. While the mild lemon aroma makes this area more calming and refreshing, it will be a nightmare for flies.

Conclusion

Aside from the tips we’ve listed above to get rid of flies on the patio, you should:

• Empty all garbage bins around the area frequently
• Cover compost bins tightly
• Throw spoiled foods away and avoid keep them too long on your patio

That’s all for the article. Thanks for reading!