Annoying, buzzing, disease-carrying – flies are anything but welcome in our homes. Fortunately, they can be successfully repelled if we know what we’re doing. Here’s your guide to a fly-free, drama-free life. How to repel flies?!
Anyone who hasn't waved yet, raise your hand. flies with an angry “Go away!” That's why it's good that we all know how to keep flies away.
That constant buzzing sound that distracts you right during the final scene of the series? The classic fly. But the problem with flies isn't just that they're annoying. They also carry a whole arsenal of diseases—from food poisoning to cholera. Romantic, right?
Luckily, most of the approximately 110,000 species of flies are too busy with nature to fly around your kitchen. These are the ones that cause the most problems. dirty flies, which carry out their "mission" - decomposing organic matter. Yes, flies also have their own ecology.
What flies even come into the house?
Although every fly may seem like an identical nuisance, there are quite a few species that have different ways of sneaking into your home.
1. House flies
The classic stars of summer. About 6mm long, with distinctive stripes down their backs. Their favorite resting place? Smelly garbage, compost, recycling bins. In warm conditions, they reproduce at an incredible rate – go a week without emptying the trash can, and when you return from vacation, a mini-fly apocalypse awaits you in the kitchen.
2. Blue and green butcher flies
Those shiny, almost glittering flies (yes, even flies can be glamorous) that come when something… organic is decomposing somewhere. If they appear in large numbers indoors, it might mean you have a bird in your chimney that has – ahem – ended its days.
3. Drain flies
Miniature and furry like tiny witches, they love to hang out in kitchen drains, where they find a luxurious home in rot and slime. If you're bothered by their presence, it's time to give your drain a deep cleaning.
4. Fruit flies
Small, red-eyed, and extremely annoying. They come with bananas and stay for the entire season. They love anything fermented – wine, fruit, garbage. Basically, if you have anything sour, they will find their way to you.
Are flies dangerous?
No, they won't sting you (unless we're talking about bedbugs, but that's another story), but they will do something worse: they will walk on your food with their contaminated feet, while kindly dropping a little feces and a few pathogens. Bon appétit!
How to say “no, thank you” to flies aka. how to get rid of flies
Here are proven ways to keep flies where they belong – outside.
1. Repair the screens on the windows
The first line of defense against flying intruders. One hole in the net and the flies move into the living room. Rent-free, of course.
2. Empty the trash regularly.
Leaving banana peels on the counter is like writing “Welcome, flies!” in neon letters. Empty the trash at least once a week, and even more often in the summer.
Outside, the bags should be tied tightly, the lids on the bins should be closed, and the compost should be placed far away from the entrance - somewhere near a neighbor, if you ask us.
3. Clean the bins
Even if you empty the can, the smells remain inside. Flies love them. Alcohol cans? Wash them before throwing them away – fermentation is no joke.
4. Protect your food at a picnic
Flies are not shy. While you are grilling čevapčiči, they are already dancing on the potato salad. Use nets to cover food and consider a fan – flies hate drafts.
5. Clean drains regularly
If your sink smells like sewage and has strange flying witches, you probably don't have a secret wine cellar—you just have drain flies. All you need is a brush and some patience.
Identify if you have a fly problem
More flies than usual? Larvae in the corner? Strange smells? Yes, that's an alarm. If you're not sure, the easiest way to catch a drain fly is with a homemade trap: a glass jar, smeared with a little Vaseline on the rim and covered with it overnight over the drain. If the flies are caught in the morning - congratulations, you have a new hobby: cleaning drains.
What about repellents and “miracle” solutions?
There are tricks on the internet—everything from water bags and coins to lavender oils that are supposed to repel flies. The bad news? Most of these methods are more placebo than solution. Science says: none of this really works.
Insecticides aren't the answer either - flies have long since developed resistance. If you have a serious problem, find a source - or call a professional.
How to permanently repel flies?
Outdoors, a few plants can help: lavender, rosemary, catnip, and basil. Flies don't like them, but they can brighten up your balcony. Replace white outdoor lights with yellow ones - they're less inviting to flying company.
Inside? An old but effective tool: the fly swatter. Classic, chemical-free, with a high level of satisfaction from success.
As a preventative measure: hang sticky tape in the garage and at the entrances. The aesthetics suffer, but so do the flies.
Conclusion: Fewer flies, more peace
Flies are a part of nature, but they should stay there. With the right approach and a little discipline, your home can be free of their unwanted presence. And if they're still flying around you – maybe it's time to check if you really took out the trash on time. 😉
