There’s nothing worse than opening the doors or windows to let in some much-needed light, and being met with the sight of flies in the air. While the peak of summer is prime time for all sorts of flies and different lawn insects to swarm, there are steps you can take all year-round to keep them at bay.
During their 25-day lifetime, female flies can lay up to 500 eggs. These only take a week to mature into flies, making it imperative to nip any fly problem in the bud before it gets out of hand.
Prevention may be better than cure, but at Jim’s Mowing, we know how quickly these things spring up. We also know the best ways to get rid of flies outside, and how to prevent outdoor flies in your yard.
Prevention
Let’s start at the beginning with the best ways to prevent flies from circling in your outdoor area.
Keep it Clean
Flies love filth. Dirt, waste, and food scraps are all top attractions that will bring flies to your yard. To limit this, keep your patio and garden areas clean and tidy, and ensure all trash and food waste bins are well-sealed. If you have pets, you should also keep on top of cleaning up after them, as excrement left in the grass for days, particularly during the summer time, creates a literal breeding ground for flies.
Essential Oils
We know that flies love filth, so what do they hate? The smell of pungent essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, rosemary, and others. If starting a herb garden isn’t an option, try sourcing some essential oils to spritz around your yard. You could also cut up strips of cloth to spray with a solution of oil and water, and hang these throughout your yard to deter flies from the area.
Choose Yard Products Wisely
If you use fertiliser to help keep your plants thriving, then you should consider the ingredients in the fertiliser you use. Many of these contain some type of manure, which provides key nutrients to plants, but much like pet excrement, offers outdoor flies something to feast on. If this is a concern for you, then opt for a fertiliser that doesn’t contain any manure, which should help to prevent a problem from forming.
Befriend Birds
Birds and bats are natural predators of flies, so having them frequent your yard will help to keep flies at bay. Adding bird houses and bird feeders will act as a way of keeping flies away from your yard, and can also be a nice way to spruce up your space with some outdoor decor.
Cure
If you’ve stumbled across this blog, then there’s a good chance that flies have already made their way to your yard, and you’re looking for a way to get rid of them. If you have pets or small children exploring your yard, be sure to keep these solutions safely out of reach. While they often aren’t toxic, we recommend avoiding any potential issues or upset tummies they may cause!
Fly Traps
One of the most effective ways to eliminate flies is by using fly traps. These come in a few forms, but most often are some kind of cylindrical device that can be placed or hung around your patio or lawn. Fly traps work by using either a liquid or powder solution that has a strong, putrid smell to attract flies. Once they’ve gotten to the source of the scent, they’ll be trapped inside the device. When the fly trap is full, or the looks or smell of it have become too much, you can remove it and replace it with a fresh one and restart the process.
Fly Paper
Fly paper is another great product to get rid of flies outside. It’s made from paper with a sweet, fragrant scent that lures flies in. An extremely sticky coating on the paper traps them, and a fly-toxic substance kills them. As with fly traps, once used up, you can dispose of the fly paper and start over.
Apple Cider Vinegar
For a more and environmentally-friendly approach to fly removal, grab some apple cider vinegar from the cupboard or store. Pour some of this into bowls or cups and add some dish soap on top, then place these on your patio and window sills. Because the smell of apple cider vinegar is similar to the smell of decomposing fruit during the fermentation process, it won’t be long until flies are drawn towards the concoction. Once there, the dish soap will help to trap and sink them into the vinegar, which can be thrown out and refilled as necessary.
Expert Guidance
Outdoor flies are just one of many different pests that can interfere with how you enjoy your garden. To tackle others, consider reading more on pest control in your garden, or plants that repel pests. For any other lawn or garden queries, contact the Jim’s Mowing team today!
