Easy Ways to Get Rid of Flies Outdoors - Plant Care Guide

Ah, the joys of outdoor living! Barbecues, relaxing on the patio, enjoying your garden… until a swarm of unwelcome guests arrives. Flies. They're not just annoying; they can be unhygienic, buzzing around your food and landing on everything. While they're a natural part of the ecosystem, you certainly don't want them crashing your backyard party.

The good news is, you don't have to surrender your outdoor space to these winged nuisances. There are many easy ways to get rid of flies outdoors, ranging from simple deterrents to clever traps. This guide will walk you through effective and often cheap DIY fly repellent methods, along with smart habits that will help you enjoy your patio, deck, or garden without the constant buzzing. Get ready to reclaim your outdoor fun and send those flies packing!

Why Are Flies Such a Problem Outdoors?

Understanding why flies are attracted to your outdoor space is the first step to getting rid of them.

What Attracts Flies to My Yard?

Flies are primarily attracted to two things:

• Food Sources: They love decaying organic matter. This includes food scraps, garbage, pet waste, spilled drinks (especially sugary ones), rotting fruit (from fruit trees), and even dead animals.
• Moisture: Flies need moisture to survive and often lay eggs in damp environments. Standing water, leaky faucets, and very wet soil can all be breeding grounds.

Are Flies Just Annoying, Or Are They a Health Risk?

While their buzzing is certainly irritating, flies also pose a health risk. They can carry and transmit bacteria and pathogens from decaying matter to your food, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. This is especially true for houseflies, which often land on unsanitary surfaces before landing on your picnic spread.

Why Are Store-Bought Solutions Not Always Enough?

Commercial sprays can be effective but often contain chemicals you might prefer to avoid, especially around food and children. Fly strips can be unsightly. The best approach usually involves a combination of methods, focusing on prevention and natural deterrence, which is where easy ways to get rid of flies outdoors come in handy.

Easy DIY Fly Repellent Sprays and Solutions

These homemade concoctions use common ingredients to create scents that flies dislike, deterring them from your immediate area.

1. The Apple Cider Vinegar Trap (Effective & Budget-Friendly)

This is one of the most reliable DIY fly traps for fruit flies and many other common flies attracted to sweet, fermenting smells.

• How it works: Flies are drawn to the scent, and the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, causing them to drown.
• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 drops liquid dish soap
  • Optional: a pinch of sugar or a small piece of overripe fruit for extra attraction.
• How to make it: Pour vinegar into a shallow bowl or jar. Add dish soap (swirl gently to avoid too many suds). If desired, add sugar or fruit.
• Placement: Set traps on outdoor tables, near garbage cans, or anywhere flies congregate. Replace liquid every 2-3 days.
• Tip: For better containment, cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap and poke several small holes (about 1/8 inch) in it. This acts as a funnel, letting flies in but making it hard for them to escape.

2. Essential Oil Spray (Pleasant Scent for You, Not for Flies)

Certain essential oils have strong aromas that flies find offensive.

• How it works: The potent scents of the oils deter flies from the area.
• Ingredients: Water, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (optional, helps oils mix), and 20-30 drops of fly-repelling essential oils.
• Best Essential Oils for Flies:
  • Peppermint oil: Strong, crisp mint scent. You can find peppermint essential oil.
  • Lavender oil: Calming to humans, irritating to flies.
  • Eucalyptus oil: Pungent and camphor-like.
  • Citronella oil: A classic insect repellent.
  • Lemongrass oil: Fresh and citrusy.
  • Rosemary oil: Herbaceous and strong.
  • Tea Tree oil: Strong, medicinal.
• How to make it: Combine water and alcohol (if using) in a spray bottle. Add essential oils. Shake well before each use.
• Application: Spray around outdoor furniture, dining areas, window sills, or doorframes. Reapply as needed, especially after rain or every few hours. Avoid spraying directly on delicate plants or polished surfaces.

3. DIY Water Bags with Pennies (The Visual Deterrent)

An old trick that some people swear by for outdoor areas.

• How it works: The theory suggests that a clear bag of water, especially with shiny pennies, distorts light and reflections, confusing flies' compound eyes and making them avoid the area.
• Ingredients: Clear plastic bags (like Ziploc bags), water, a few shiny copper pennies.
• How to make it:
  1. Fill a clear plastic bag about two-thirds full with water.
  2. Drop 3-5 shiny copper pennies into the water.
  3. Seal the bag tightly.
• Placement: Hang the bags from overhangs, porch ceilings, or tree branches around your outdoor gathering areas. Ensure they can catch light.
• Tip: While scientific evidence is anecdotal, this is a very cheap and harmless method worth trying.

Natural Plants That Repel Flies Outdoors

Incorporating certain plants into your landscaping or placing them in containers around your outdoor living spaces is a beautiful and effective way to keep flies away.

1. Aromatic Herbs

Many herbs that we love to cook with are despised by flies due to their strong scents.

• Basil: Plant basil in pots and place them on your patio table or near seating areas. Its pungent aroma deters flies.
• Mint: Most mint varieties (peppermint, spearmint) are excellent fly repellents. Plant mint in containers to prevent its vigorous spreading in garden beds.
• Rosemary: A hardy and aromatic herb, rosemary plants can be planted in beds or pots to deter flies and other insects.
• Lavender: Beautiful, fragrant, and drought-tolerant, lavender plants are known to deter flies, mosquitoes, and moths.
• Lemongrass: The source of citronella, lemongrass plants have a strong citrusy scent that flies hate.

2. Fly-Repelling Flowers

Some flowering plants offer more than just beauty.

• Marigolds: These cheerful orange and yellow flowers release compounds that act as natural insect repellents. Plant marigolds around your patio perimeter or in garden beds near outdoor seating.
• Geraniums (Citronella Geraniums): While not true citronella, these geraniums have a distinct lemony scent that can help deter flies.
• Chrysanthemums (Mums): Certain varieties of chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide. While they won't clear an infestation, their presence can help deter flies.

3. Consider Carnivorous Plants

For a more active (and fascinating) approach, try bug-eating plants.

• Venus Flytraps: While small, a few Venus flytraps can catch a surprising number of small flies.
• Pitcher Plants: Larger pitcher plants use a sweet-smelling nectar to lure and trap flies.

Physical Barriers and Other Clever Tricks

Sometimes, the simplest physical methods or environmental changes are the most effective easy ways to get rid of flies outdoors.

1. Fans (The No-Chemical Solution)

This is surprisingly effective for immediate relief in a confined outdoor area.

• How it works: Flies are weak flyers. Even a gentle breeze from a fan makes it difficult for them to fly or land, essentially blowing them away from your personal space.
• Tools: An outdoor pedestal fan, ceiling fan on a patio, or even a smaller box fan.
• How to use it: Position the fan to blow air across your outdoor dining table or lounging area.
• Tip: This is highly recommended for immediate, chemical-free relief when eating outdoors.

2. Citronella Candles and Torches

A classic for a reason, citronella is a known insect repellent.

• How it works: The smoke and scent released by burning citronella deter flies (and mosquitoes).
• Products: Place multiple citronella candles around your outdoor area, or use citronella torches filled with oil.
• Safety Tip: Always place candles and torches on stable surfaces, away from flammable materials, and never leave them unattended.

3. Outdoor Screened Areas

For ultimate protection, especially from all flying insects, a screened enclosure is hard to beat.

• How it works: A physical mesh barrier keeps flies out completely.
• Options: A screened gazebo, a pop-up screen tent, or even permanent screening around a porch.
• Tip: While not a "repellent," this offers guaranteed bug-free outdoor enjoyment.

4. Incense or Outdoor Coils

Smoke can act as a simple deterrent.

• How it works: Flies dislike flying through smoke. Certain scents in the incense can also be unappealing to them.
• Products: Use mosquito coils (which often deter flies too), or specialized outdoor incense sticks that contain natural repellent ingredients like citronella or cedar.
• Safety Tip: Place in a proper holder, away from flammable items.

General Fly Control Best Practices (The Foundation of Success)

The most effective way to get rid of flies outdoors for good is to eliminate what attracts them in the first place. These practices are crucial, no matter what other methods you use.

1. Remove All Food Sources Promptly

• Clean Up Spills: Immediately wipe up any food or drink spills on your patio or deck.
• Cover Food: When eating outdoors, keep food covered with mesh food covers or containers.
• Clear Tables: As soon as you're done eating, remove all food, dirty dishes, and beverage containers from outdoor tables.
• Pet Food: Don't leave pet food bowls outside for extended periods.

2. Manage Waste Properly

• Tight Lids: Ensure all outdoor garbage cans have tightly sealing lids.
• Regular Emptying: Empty outdoor trash cans frequently, especially those containing food waste.
• Rinse Bins: Periodically rinse out your outdoor garbage cans with soap and water to remove any lingering food residue that attracts flies.
• Compost Management: If you have a compost pile, make sure it's well-managed and covered to reduce odors. Bury food scraps deeply.

3. Eliminate Breeding Grounds

• Standing Water: Flies (and mosquitoes!) love stagnant water. Empty out standing water from bird baths, old tires, buckets, pet water bowls, and clogged gutters regularly.
• Pet Waste: Scoop pet waste from your yard daily. This is a huge attractant and breeding ground for flies.
• Rotting Fruit: If you have fruit trees, promptly pick up any fallen or overripe fruit from the ground.

4. Maintain Your Landscape

• Clean Gutters: Keep gutters clear of debris that can hold stagnant water.
• Trim Foliage: Trim dense bushes or overgrown areas around your patio that might create damp, sheltered spots for flies.

By combining several of these easy ways to get rid of flies outdoors with consistent sanitation practices, you can dramatically reduce the fly population in your backyard and enjoy your outdoor space in peace!