Photo courtesy of @orangeacid on Flickr.com
In case you didn’t know, the house fly isn’t exactly known for staying strictly in the house — thank goodness! The bad news — they can be pesky critters when you are outside, too, especially during picnics or when you’re camping and especially if you have livestock in the backyard. So, what can you do about it?
I’ve found several different humane ways to get rid of flies inside the house and outside too!
How to Get Rid of Flies
Since you may not have all of the items below, try what you have first, then if you want try the other ones, go ahead. Good luck! I hope you remain fly-free forever!
Lavender Essential Oil
This one is really easy and perfect for indoors. All you need to do is take a piece of typing paper and cut it in two. Add two or three drops of lavender essential oil to each piece. Tape the paper to your fridge, washing machine, windows or wherever you have a house fly problem. The oil will spread out on the paper, so be sure not to lay it on anything that it may soak through on.
The bonus to this this technique — your house smells great, too!
Basil
For indoors or outdoors, plant some basil. Not only do the flies not like the basil, but you will have a delicious herb for cooking. For outdoor basil, be sure to pick the leaves and dry them for winter use. The basil leaves grow back very quickly, so use all you want in your recipes. It’s tasty and a fly repellent. Who knew?
If you don’t want to plant basil, buy some dried basil leaves at the store. Add the dried leaves to small pieces of cheese cloth or other material that’s breathable, and hang them on cabinet doors, on window locks or door handles. One time every other day, use your fingers to crush up the dried basil. This will help make the scent stronger. Good-bye house flies!
Bonus Tip
Some people believe that cut cucumbers help get rid of flies, too. I’ve never tried it, so I can’t be sure. How do they use the cucumbers? After they peel the cucumbers for eating, they leave the peelings lying near the window sills and on the kitchen counter in a plate or bowl. This technique is probably only for a short term fix for getting rid of flies unless you eat fresh cucumbers every other day.
Tell us what you think of these ideas and be sure to add any ways you get rid of flies!
I will have to try basil as I am growing it this year. I have bugs eating the leaves. Any thoughts on what to do?
Diatematious Earth can help kill pests in an organic way. What kind of bugs are eating the leaves?
Wow, I love using home remedies around the house instead of all those pesticides you buy from the store. Some people think I’m crazy for doing so, but if they work and don’t put off those nasty smells like mose bug killing sprays that have fumes that are unhealthy, I’m all for it. I’ll have to transplant some basil from my garden to a planter on the kitchen window sill. Thanks for the great tip!
Great tips! I love anything that involves herbs and essential oils!
I haven’t tried it yet, but lots of people I know fill a quart Ziploc half full of water, add a couple pennies and hang them in the doorways of their homes. Something about the reflection deters flies.