DIY Home Tips for Keeping Summer Flies at Bay
Flies are a common nuisance to many people, especially during the summer months when their numbers are highest. Luckily, there are both professional and DIY solutions available to help you steer clear of annoying, potentially harmful flies during the summer.
At Bug Busters, we’re here to help with a variety of related services, from general residential pest control solutions up through tree spraying and other themes that keep flies and many other insects from infesting your entire property, including outdoor areas. While our pros will be happy to assist with extermination or prevention of any significant fly infestation, we also regularly provide clients with expertise on simple DIY methods for warding off annoying flies. Here are a few of the top approaches we recommend.
Utilize Fly Traps
A fly trap is a device that relies on either passive or active trapping to capture flies. Passive traps are typically used in food storage areas to prevent flies from entering, while active traps attract and kill the insects. The majority of flytraps release some type of sticky substance, which traps the flies in its surface.
Keep Areas Clean and Free of Food Debris
It’s important to keep your kitchen and other food-preparation areas clean and free of any food debris. Be sure not to leave out any food, even if it’s covered in a bag. Fruits that are rotting should also be disposed of in sealed containers.
Besides the fact that flies may want to eat these foods, they also often carry bacteria like salmonella and E-coli which can be harmful if ingested.
Lastly, make sure to sweep up the dust or dirt on your floors as well as vacuum them regularly — flies are drawn to both dirt and food debris alike.
Use Citronella Candles
Citronella candles work by filling the air with a strong citrus scent that flies don’t like. Citronella is also a natural repellant, so it’s harmless to humans. Plus, it’s not as expensive as some other solutions out there and you can light up the entire room or just a singular area with one candle.
Hang a Bag of Water
For a quick and easy DIY solution, hang a bag of water! This creates a light reflection effect that confuses flies, though it’s only useful for smaller numbers. Plastic bags work best because they are lightweight and can be easily tied to trees. You can also use paper bags, but make sure to not leave them out in the rain or the flies may tear through them. This is an inexpensive, effective way to get rid of flies.
For more on keeping flies away from your home or property during the summer months, or to learn about any of our pest control services, speak to the staff at Bug Busters today.