Flies are harmless, but they can be annoying and unsightly, especially if they have invaded your home. If you want to keep the flies away from you and your room or house, you will need to adopt techniques to protect it from these insects, some preventative measures, and create some fly traps. If you want to know how, follow these steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Trap or Eliminate Flies
Step 1. Use fly paper
If you really have a problem with flies, put some fly paper in your room to keep them away. While it doesn't look good, it's a very effective solution. Hang it in a sunny spot away from currents to make it work at its best.
Step 2. Use fly traps
Set traps outside the window or in your garden to catch these pesky insects. Don't install them in your room though - they can smell bad that would bother you more than flies.
Step 3. Hang transparent plastic bags half-filled with water near doors and windows
The water in the bags will reflect the light and confuse the flies, which will not be able to enter the house.
Step 4. Take advantage of your spiders
If you've noticed a spider or two in the corner of the room or hanging from the ceiling near your window, leave them alone. If these spiders are not dangerous, they will help you eliminate the flies and keep them away from you and your room. The next time you see a spider in your room, ask yourself if you should get rid of it.
Step 5. Use a fly swatter
If you see a fly, you can use this tool to eliminate it. Hold the fly swatter's head over the fly and use your wrist to swat it. While this isn't a good long-term solution, it works well if a fly approaches you or if you see a fly entering your room uninvited.
Method 2 of 3: Maintain Your Environment
Step 1. Close doors and windows
If you want to keep flies away, you should always keep doors and windows closed. If you have a mosquito net on your doors or windows, you can leave them open if you are sure there are no tears or holes.
If a fly has entered your room, open the door or window until it comes out, then close it again
Step 2. Keep food away from flies
If you keep food in your room or kitchen, you should keep them covered to protect them from flies - flies love the smell of sweets and tasty foods and will try to get as close to the food as possible. Here are some ways to cover your foods:
- After preparing a meal, put away any remaining ingredients or portions you will not consume right away before you start eating.
- When you're done eating, wash the dishes right away to prevent leftover food from attracting flies.
- When storing food, make sure all containers are tightly sealed.
- Of course, fruit flies love fruit. Don't leave the fruit outside - cover it with a cloth bag.
Step 3. Be careful to keep flies away especially from meat
Flies especially love the aroma of cooked meat. If you're cooking meat, be sure to put away the leftovers and wash the dishes when you're done.
- If you have to leave the door open when cooking meat, keep a fan running against the open door - this will be enough to scare them.
- If you are holding an outdoor barbecue, be sure to keep doors and windows closed.
Step 4. Remove your pet's feces
If you have a cat and its litter box is in your room or house, be sure to clean it at least once a day and throw its contents in an outdoor dumpster or bin to keep flies away from home. If you have a dog, be sure to dispose of his feces in a closed container, outside the house. If you have a garden, try to stop your dog from doing his business there, or you will attract more flies.
Step 5. Secure your waste bins
Make sure the lids of the baskets in your room are tightly closed and covered with an outer bag to prevent any food from escaping. This will keep the flies away from your environment.
Step 6. Remove excess water from your room
Flies love humidity, so make sure you don't leave a puddle of water after taking a shower, and don't leave wet gym clothes in a pile on the floor. Do not leave open containers of water in your room and try to prevent it from collecting, or more flies will be attracted.
Method 3 of 3: Preventive Measures
Step 1. Check your home for cracks
Sealing the room will help save energy and keep flies away. Check the insulation strips and putty around doors and windows to make sure they are free of cracks, and replace them if necessary. Check for leaks in the pipes entering the house, such as those from the air conditioner. Fill any openings you find with foam.
Step 2. Replace all broken screens on doors and windows
Check for holes and snags - even if they are tiny, they may be large enough for flies to enter. Replace them, or cover the access points with tape for a temporary fix, and see if you notice any differences. Make sure the edges of the mosquito net adhere well to the fixtures and leave no room for flies.
Step 3. Use plants or herbs to keep flies away
There are many herbs and plants that can keep flies away, so you can set up a small nursery in your room and see if you get any results. Here are some plants and herbs you can use:
- Basil. Grow a basil plant outside or near your room and watch how it keeps flies away. This solution will also keep mosquitoes away and basil can be an excellent condiment for any meal.
- Laurel. You can grow it outdoors during the summer, but you should bring the plant indoors during the winter to keep flies away. You could also just put a bowl full of dried bay leaves in your room to achieve the same result.
- Lavender. Lavender not only smells great, it will also keep mosquitoes away. You can grind it to powder and spread it on your furniture, grow it in a container, or in the garden.
- Mint. Place a mint plant in your room to keep flies, ants and fleas away.
- Tansy. This is another herb that keeps flies, fleas, moths and ants away.
Step 4. Get a dog
Dogs are adorable and cuddly, but they also love to eat flies. By getting a dog your life will be more fun and you will keep the flies away.
Step 5. Get a cat
Cats are cuddly, cute and love to hunt and fight flies. As an added benefit you will be able to see the beautiful sight of a cat trying to catch a fly.
Advice
Frankincense is a great option if you want to keep flies away and spread a good aroma in your room
Warnings
- If you are outdoors, an electric fly trap can injure and kill squirrels and birds.
- Don't let small children light incense.
