How To Get Rid Of Flies

Flies can be frustrating – especially in the kitchen, where you want everything to be particularly clean, hygienic, and neat. Flies are a common unwanted house guest: Not only annoying to deal with, but also capable of spreading diseases and infections, making them less than desirable housemates. This is especially true in the kitchen, where they can potentially lay eggs on your meat and various other food items. But don’t worry: we’ve compiled five tips not only explaining how to get rid of flies, but also how to keep them out of your home, and life, for good.

Remember when following any of the tips in this article that it’s important to always read the instructions on the label of any cleaning product first, and to wear gloves and ensure that the area is well ventilated. Test all solutions on a small area of your surface to ensure that they are appropriate and safe to use.

If you’re dealing with flies in your home, you can prevent them by making sure that your surfaces and countertops are clean and that you remove rubbish promptly. Products like Vim Liquid Lemon are great for cleaning areas in the kitchen and bathroom. You can also get rid of flies by using flytraps, or even plants!

1) How to Prevent Flies

The best way to prevent flies from being drawn into the house is to keep your home and kitchen clean. This sounds simple enough, but keeping your living space clean is actually the best thing you can do to prevent flies. Wash dishes immediately after you use them, don’t leave food out on the countertop for a long period of time, and clean the kitchen thoroughly after preparing food.

This can be inconvenient when you're in a hurry but will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Bin flies can be especially persistent and very annoying – food waste is a feast for them. This is why it’s crucial to remove food waste regularly to prevent it from piling up and causing any smells, and to clean your bin regularly with a good quality disinfectant.

2) How to Get Rid of Flies using Vinegar

Flies are repelled by vinegar and the smell of boiling vinegar can make them leave. Pour some malt vinegar in a pot or pan let it boil and then wait for the flies to desperately escape. Make sure you watch the procedure closely as you don't want the vinegar to burn. Be careful not to spill or splash yourself with the hot liquid.

3) Using Fly Traps to Get Rid of Flies

You can make your own homemade fly trap with a jar, some sugary water, and a paper cone. The sugar attracts the flies; the jar and cone make it impossible for the flies to escape once they are trapped. You can also purchase flypapers coated with a fragrance which attracts flies. The flies will then get caught in the sticky paper, allowing you to remove them easily.

4) Using Plants to Repel Flies

Flies dislike certain plants – mint, for example, is a fly-repelling herb, and also very handy to have around the house to cook with. A pot of mint may be worth purchasing if you are often struggling with flies. If you place it next to the door or window, it makes it less likely that flies will enter this way. But using mint around the kitchen area can also help to keep away flies from those areas that you definitely don’t want to be infested, such as the kitchen worktop you tend to use when cutting up vegetables and handling meat.

5) How to Deal with an Infestation of Flies

Unfortunately, we don’t always succeed in keeping flies out of our home, and sometimes we may even have to deal with major fly infestations. There’s no need to panic – it’s about systematically getting rid of the little insects. If you are facing an infestation, the first thing you need to do is clean your house thoroughly. Vacuum and wash all surfaces with a disinfectant spray or wipes to get rid of any fly eggs, and make sure to clean behind the furniture and everywhere that might not be easily accessible at first – that’s where flies like to hide. If you are still plagued by pesky flies, it may be time to call in a professional exterminator.

Key Steps:

• Plants aren’t just decorative! They can help to deter flies from entering your home. We recommend getting a mint pot to do the job.

• Flies are attracted to sugar – so use this as a part of your homemade fly trap.

• Rid your home of fly eggs by vacuuming, and wiping all surfaces with disinfectant.

With any luck, these tips should give you a fly-free home – allowing you to relax!