Learning how to get rid of house flies naturally is helpful to control these nasty pests, and also to minimize the risk of them spreading infectious diseases. Some effectual home remedies for getting rid of house flies are discussed in this article.
House flies, along with fruit flies and other flies, are collectively known as filth flies. They feed on garbage, animal feces, and other organic wastes, which then make their way to food items and contaminate foods. In short, infestation of house flies is not just a nuisance to us, but they are also capable of transmitting diseases, like dysentery, cholera, polio, typhoid, etc. They may also cause food poisoning. Considering this, one should learn natural ways to get rid of house flies, so as to control these nasty pests effectively.
How to Get Rid of House Flies Naturally?
House flies are dull gray in color, with dark strips in the thorax region. The adult flies have very big eyes, and are about ¼ inch in length. Noticing one or two houseflies in the house is not unusual. However, coming across several flies at once is a clear sign of infestation. In such a case, the earlier you act, the better it will be in eradicating these pests. Mentioned below are some effectual home remedies for getting rid of house flies:
- Maintain Optimal Cleanliness:
Cleanliness is the first and foremost tip to keep house flies away. If you maintain sanitation both inside and outside the house, then half of your problem is already solved. Since house flies are attracted to filthy things, your objective is to clean the house and the surrounding area on a regular basis. Make sure that there are no carrion in the yard, and also remember to collect animal feces from the backyard. - Discard Food Sources:
Availability of food is the primary cause for infestation of house flies. So, starving the flies by depriving them their foods is a practical way to get rid of them. As said earlier, they feed on animal wastes, decaying organic matter, garbage, and spoiled foods. Throw away all these organic wastes immediately, and keep the trash bin covered at all times. - Seal the Entry Points:
Another approach is closing the entry points. You can check the window screens for presence of holes. If you find any, fix them as soon as possible with a wire mesh or a screen patch. Likewise, seal doors and windows to limit entry of flies in the house. Look for fissures, particularly in cable fixing and plumbing works. If necessary, apply caulk and seal the cracks. - Lay Fly Traps in House:
Fly traps sold at the house supply centers are also effective for controlling these pests. Paper traps are useful for controlling a small population of flies. For heavy infestation, you can think of ultraviolet traps and other fly traps. An easy-to-make homemade fly trap is filling sugary syrup in a mason jar. Poke some holes (small enough that the flies cannot come out) in the lid and keep it in the entrance. - Look for Biological Control:
The logic behind employing biological pest control is to use other insects that feed on house flies. One such example is the parasitoid wasp, which kills the pupa of house flies. After killing, it lays egg inside the pupa. As the wasp egg hatches into larva, the larva feeds on the fly pupa. Biological pest control is best used in large farms, where there is heavy infestation of house flies. - Make Use of Insecticide:
Using insecticide should be practiced as the last resort for getting rid of house flies. While using it, follow the directions carefully as mentioned in the product label. At the time of spraying this chemical solution, follow safety guidelines, like wearing protective gloves and glares, and covering household things.
As you now know how to get rid of house flies, do not delay in taking action against them. For long-term control, you can think of planting marigold, mint, and basil around the house. These strong-smelling plants repel these pests and are useful for controlling their entry inside the house. For indoor house cleaning, you can use clove oil, basil oil, or lemon oil to distract house flies.
