Flies can be a nuisance when spending time outdoors. Not only are they annoying, but some species can also spread diseases. Getting rid of outdoor flies involves using a combination of methods to make your yard, patio, and other outdoor areas less attractive to them. With some strategic planning and diligent maintenance, you can significantly reduce the fly population around your home.

Understanding Fly Behavior

To get rid of flies effectively, it’s helpful to understand some basics about their behavior:

Flies are attracted to decomposing organic material like animal waste, garbage, and rotting fruit and vegetables. Removing these attractants is key.
They lay eggs in warm, moist environments where larvae (maggots) can thrive. Draining standing water and properly composting wet waste prevents breeding.
Flies seek out sugary substances like spilled soda, juice, or alcohol as food sources. Promptly cleaning these spills denies them nourishment.
Certain fragrances lure flies, especially those with sweet, fruity, or vinegary scents. Avoid using these outside.
Flies rest in shady, secluded areas like under decks or patio furniture. Periodically disturb their hiding spots to discourage resting.
They are most active during warmer daytime hours and tend to rest at cooler nighttime temps. Focus efforts during peak activity periods.

Sanitation Methods to Deter Flies

Flies need food, water, and shelter to survive. Eliminating access to these basics is an effective long-term control strategy:

Remove Food Sources

Keep trash cans sealed tightly and empty them frequently. Rinse with disinfectant weekly.
Clean up fallen fruit from trees and plants right away. Remove overripe or rotting produce from gardens promptly.
Don’t leave pet food sitting out. Clean bowls after each meal.
Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and hoses so water doesn’t pool and rot organic material.
Frequently clean outdoor grills to eliminate grease buildup.
Rinse recyclables and wipe down bottles and cans before placing them in bins.
Compost yard waste properly in an enclosed bin. Turn and water compost regularly to speed decomposition.

Eliminate Breeding Grounds

Drain standing water from potted plant trays, birdbaths, tires, tarps, and any other receptacles.
Keep drains, gutters, and downspouts clear of debris so water can flow freely.
Fill holes or depressions in the ground that collect rainwater.
Frequently replace water for pets and livestock. Don’t let it stagnate.
Cleanup pet waste in yards promptly.
Maintain septic systems properly so leaks don’t form breeding pools.
Fill in tree rot holes and other woodpiles that collect moisture.

Disturb Resting Areas

Seal gaps around doors, windows, vents, and openings to prevent entry into your home. Install screens on vents.
Periodically move, clean, or flip over furniture cushions, decorative rocks, planters, and other items they may hide under outside.
Clear away heavy vegetation resting spots like dense shrubs and vines.
Remove clutter stored under your patio or deck. Flies may hide there undisturbed.
Hang sticky fly paper ribbons where they congregate. Change them regularly.

Pesticide Chemical Controls

When sanitation measures alone aren’t solving an infestation, pesticide sprays and baits can supplement your efforts. Use them judiciously and according to label directions:

Residual Sprays

Residual sprays contain pyrethrin, pyrethroids, or IGRs that coat surfaces outdoors. When flies land on treated areas, they absorb a lethal dose. Reapply after rain or watering.
Use pyrethrin-based sprays in vegetable gardens adhering to pre-harvest intervals. Pyrethroids are not suitable for edibles.
Spot treat trash bins, fences, house walls, and other fly resting spots. Don’t spray entire lawns or gardens.

Quick Knockdown Sprays

Foggers, aerosol sprays, and mist treatments provide quick knockdown of adult flies. Direct them to shady, protected areas flies congregate.
Look for ready-to-use products containing pyrethrins for rapid but short-term control outdoors.
Repeat applications weekly as needed. Knockdown sprays don’t provide residual control.

Baits

Bait granules, gels, or traps draw in flies with alluring scents. Ingesting the bait kills them.
Place baits in areas protected from rain near fly congregation zones. Replace bait monthly.
Avoid spreading bait gels on edible plants. Spot treat trash areas instead.

Natural and Organic Fly Deterrents

For a non-toxic approach, there are many natural repellents and traps you can try:

Repellent Plants

Grow herbs like lavender, basil, mint, citronella, garlic, and chives around your patio and in your garden. Their strong scents repel flies.
Crush fresh leaves of these plants to release more aroma. Rub crushed leaves directly on skin too.
Grow them in containers near doors and windows. The smell drives flies away when breezes blow through screens.

Essential Oils

Make your own fly sprays from essential oils like lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, thyme, and tea tree oil.
Mix 5-10 drops of oil per ounce of water in a spray bottle. Mist outdoor surfaces where flies gather. Reapply after rain.
Alternatively, place drops of oils on cotton balls. Tuck them into crevices flies use as entry points or resting areas.

Traps

Funnel traps draw flies in through a cone-shaped opening into a collection chamber. Hang them in problem areas.
Sticky fly paper coils or ribbons also trap flies on adhesive surfaces. Use fly attractant scents or baits to boost efficacy.
For fruit flies, fill a jar with 1-2 inches of apple cider vinegar. Add a drop of dish soap to break surface tension so they drown.

Protective Barriers

Along with controlling fly populations, barrier methods help prevent them from bothering you while using your yard:

Screened Structures

Install screen doors, window screens, screen tents, canopy screens, and screened gazebos for fly-free outdoor living spaces.
Look for super fine mesh screening that keeps out the smallest gnats and midges too.

Fans

Flies struggle to navigate through air currents. Box fans, oscillating stand fans, and ceiling paddle fans all deter flies.
Aim fans to blow air across patios, gardens, or pools where you want to prevent flies.

Netting

Drape fine mesh netting over patios, play areas, gardens, or trees providing shade. The netting allows air flow while keeping out flies.
When cooking outdoors or eating on the patio, use netted hats or head coverings to keep flies off food.

Daily Prevention Habits

Consistency is key for successfully controlling flies outside. Sticking to these daily habits makes a big impact:

Inspect yards each morning and afternoon for any obvious fly attractants to remove.
Quickly clean up spills, fallen fruit, pet waste, etc. when noticed instead of letting them linger.
Take trash and recycling to exterior bins frequently to avoid accumulation.
Check and refresh fly traps and knockdown strips whenever outside.
Do a sweep under furniture and fixtures where flies may be resting.
Spray repellents on your skin and clothes before spending extended time outdoors.
Fix any holes in screens and seal gaps around windows and doors before flies gain entry.
Monitor compost piles and standing water for any signs of larvae development.

With vigilant prevention and control methods, you can successfully tackle an outdoor fly problem and reclaim your yard for pest-free relaxing and entertaining. Consistent monitoring for fly attractants and breeding spots paired with targeted treatments will significantly cut down on annoying fly populations over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Outdoor Flies

What time of day are flies most active outdoors?

Flies are most active during warmer daylight hours when temperatures reach 65°F or above. Their peak activity periods are typically mid-morning through late afternoon. They rest at cooler dawn, dusk, and nighttime temps.

What scents attract flies?

Flies rely heavily on scent to locate food and breeding sites. Fragrances that readily attract flies include vinegar, fermenting fruit, alcohol, sweet syrups, dairy products, and decomposing organic waste. Avoid using these scented products outdoors when possible.

Do fly zappers or bug zappers work well?

Fly zappers do attract and electrocute some flies. However, they only impact the flies directly around the device and don’t reduce overall populations across your entire yard. Improving sanitation and cleanliness is more effective for broad fly control.

How do you make a homemade fly trap?

A simple homemade trap combines apple cider vinegar or wine in a jar or bowl topped with a drop of dish soap to break surface tension. You can also wrap a cone of clear plastic wrap around the jar’s rim to serve as an entry point for flies. For added effect, add pieces of rotting fruit.

What natural herbs and plants keep flies away?

Strongly scented natural herbs like lavender, basil, mint, citronella, garlic, lemongrass, catnip, rosemary, and chives help repel flies. Grow them in gardens, contain them on patios, or crush leaves to rub on skin. The aromas deter flies from lingering.

Should I use bleach to clean areas with fly problems?

Yes, diluting bleach in water (1/2 cup per gallon) makes an effective disinfecting solution for areas prone to flies. Use it to wipe down bins, wipe up spills, scrub ground surfaces, and clean pet bowls in fly problem zones. This destroys bacteria flies feed on.

How can I get rid of drain flies in my yard?

Keep drains free of organic debris buildup that drain flies feed on. Pour boiling water, a bleach solution, or enzyme cleaner down drains weekly. You can also insert a mesh screen or fitted drain cover to prevent flies from exiting pipes onto your property.

What plants attract flies and should be avoided?

Avoid planting fragrant herbs and flowers like thyme, parsley, petunias, and lilacs right next to outdoor living spaces. Their sweet scents can draw in some fly species. Stick with less fragrant trees, shrubs, and ornamental grasses in main activity areas.

Should I spray my entire yard to control flies?

It’s not necessary or recommended to blanket spray your entire yard. This can harm beneficial insects. Instead, just spot treat known fly congregation zones like trash bins, compost piles, pet areas, and manure piles. Avoid spraying edible plants.

Why do I still see flies after cleaning up all food and waste?

Even if you painstakingly eliminate food sources, flies can still migrate in from surrounding wooded areas or neighbors’ yards. So some ongoing use of traps, barriers, and targeted repellent sprays is usually needed for complete fly control around a property.

Conclusion

Controlling outdoor flies requires patience and diligence to locate and eliminate breeding spots in your yard. But the investment of time pays off by letting you enjoy your patio, garden, and other outdoor living spaces free of annoying flies. Focus on thorough sanitation by promptly cleaning spills, emptying trash frequently, installing window and vent screens, and monitoring moisture-prone areas. Supplement with natural repellents and targeted pesticide applications when necessary. With regular prevention and immediate responses when flies appear, you can successfully eradicate outdoor fly infestations.

How to Get Rid of Outdoor Flies