How to get rid of flies outdoors
WHEN you are trying to enjoy a meal outside, it is so annoying to have flies swarming around or landing on your food.
Flies can invade your indoor spaces when you open and close doors.
Flies are the least active during colder months and typically reach maturity during the spring.
In this guide, we outline how to get rid of flies outside so you can enjoy your yard without worrying about an infestation.
How do you get outdoor flies?
If you want to know how to get rid of flies, it helps to know a bit about their origins. Studies reveal there are approximately 100 000 known species of flies throughout the world.
Outside flies are typically attracted to animal faeces, dead animals or decaying organic matter.
Adult flies are attracted to areas where they can lay eggs, like compost piles, farms, roadkill, trash bins and other areas where they can find organic matter.
Where do flies come from?
A fly’s lifespan is typically 21 days, but, during that time, females can lay up to 900 eggs.
Flies typically lay their eggs where there is organic or decaying material. When the weather starts warming and flies mature, you might also need to know how to get rid of flies on porch spaces. Especially when there are trash bins nearby.
Threats from an outdoor fly infestation
Even though flies do not bite humans, that does not mean they do not pose threats. For example, because flies feed on many types of filthy matter and human food, they can pick up disease-causing organisms. Each time a fly comes into contact with food or people, it can spread these disease-causing organisms.
How to check for outdoor flies
When checking for outdoor flies, look for potential food sources and try to find where the flies are laying eggs. If you are trying to figure out how to get rid of flies on patio areas, look for what could be attracting them.
Think about the materials that typically entice flies, including alcohol, food spills, dirty surfaces, pet waste and sticky surfaces from drink spills.
Flies are also attracted to birdhouses and lighting.
Outdoor files use small cracks and crevices to enter your home.
Flies might hitch a ride on your pet when they go inside — especially if they have any food caught on their coat.
Steps to get rid of flies outside
There are many ways to get rid of outdoor flies. You can start by eliminating their food source and other materials that might attract them.
You can use products and other remedies to treat your yard and other areas where your children and pets spend time. The simple steps in short are as follows:
Step 1: Clean up your patio or porch area: Remove pet waste and seal up garbage cans. If there is any rotten wood, take it to the dump.
Step 2: Spray fly bait: Follow directions carefully. If it is toxic to humans and pets, so do not use where you are serving food and keep out of reach of children.
Step 3: Use sticky fly traps: Hang sticky fly traps on tree limbs, from birdhouses or in other areas where flies are swarming.
Step 4: Spray insecticide: Before using any insecticide, be sure your children and pets are away from the area.
Home remedies to get rid of outdoor flies
Flowers and herbs are natural fly repellants.
Try planting basil, bay leaves, catnip, lavender and marigolds.
Or, use a mixture of vinegar and dish soap as a natural trap.
Pour the mixture into a cup, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and poke holes large enough for the flies to enter. You can mix cayenne pepper with water in a spray bottle to spritz around your outdoor spaces.
How to keep outdoor flies from returning
You can prevent flies from returning by keeping your outdoor spaces as clean as possible. That means emptying and washing out garbage cans frequently and cleaning up all food or drink spills immediately.
The bottom line on outdoor flies
Getting rid of flies outside means keeping your outdoor areas clear of animal waste, decomposing animals and dirty garbage cans.
If drinks or food spill, clean them up immediately. While there are many chemical products available for eliminating outdoor flies, you can use natural remedies. — freshome