Flies are one of those common summer annoyances we all have to deal with occasionally. However, there’s a huge difference between having just one or two of them in your home and dealing with a fly infestation. No matter whether it’s common houseflies, fruit flies or biting flies—all of them can cause a major headache to homeowners. Luckily, any of the following home remedies may be able to provide you with at least some relief.
Apple Cider Vinegar Traps
The smell of fermentation is always sure to attract flies, which is why these traps can be so effective. It works especially well for fruit flies, but should also net you at least a few houseflies. All you need to do is pour some apple cider vinegar into a plastic bottle or glass jar, and then stick a paper funnel down into it so that the point is just above the vinegar. Insects will fly down the funnel, but they’ll be unable to fly back out and eventually drown. You can also do the same thing with the dregs of last night’s red or white wine.
Milk-Honey-Black Pepper Traps
This method seems to be particularly effective for houseflies and involves boiling around a pint of milk with about 1/4 of a cup of honey or sugar and a few tablespoons of ground black pepper. Once the mixture boils, turn it down and let it simmer for around 10 minutes. After it has cooled, you can pour it in a few boils and leave these wherever the flies are. They’ll immediately be attracted by the sweet scent and will drown as they try to land on it.
Clove Repellant
Many people swear by using cloves and a piece of lemon to repel flies. Simply cut a lemon into quarters, put a few cloves in each and then leave them around the kitchen or wherever you notice the flies congregating.
Lemongrass or Lavender Repellant
Most insects also hate the smell of lemongrass and lavender, which makes using either of these essential oils an effective way to keep flies and other pests out of the home. All you need to do is mix around 15 to 20 drops of essential oil with a half of a cup of warm water. You can then put this in a spray bottle and use the mixture around any possible entry points or anywhere else you spot flies.
Homemade Fly Paper
Flypaper is always a great, albeit not so visually appealing, option for catching insects, and it’s easy to make your own at home. Simply mix 1/2 of a cup of corn syrup with a 1/4 cup of sugar, and then use a brush to coat this on small strips of paper. The strips can then be hung wherever needed. Flies will find the sweet smell irresistible, and the sticky paper impossible to free themselves from.
If All Else Fails, Seek Professional Help and call our Phoenix Pest Control Experts!
In cases of a serious infestation, no amount of home remedies will ever be sufficient enough to fully get rid of the pest problem. Furthermore, many of them only work for catching flies, whereas prevention is generally equally important Therefore, if you’re suffering from a particularly bad fly infestation or if you’re just sick of having to deal with them, it’s never a bad idea to enlist the help of a pest control expert to help you eliminate the problem.
If you have a fly problem and need a monthly or bi-monthly pest control service in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, or Chandler AZ area call our Pest Control Experts today!
