This page may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate & Sponsorship Disclosure for more details *
How to Get Rid of Flies in Your House (Once and for All!)
A fly buzzing in your ear can ruin a relaxing afternoon at home. It’s one of those sounds that disrupts your peace. You know the sound. It’s that irritating “bzzzz” as they swing right by your ear, or even worse, your food. They land on your drink and rub their sleazy together hands like they own the place. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit.
The good news? You don’t have to live with flies. In fact, with a few simple strategies, you can dramatically reduce (or even completely eliminate) flies in your home. Over the years, I’ve tried just about every method out there. Some were instant winners, others… not so much.
In this post, I’m going to share my favorite fly fighting tips. I will also reveal the exact tools I use and love. Additionally, I’ll mention some extra tricks that keep my home a no fly zone.
Why Flies Are a Problem in the Home
Before we jump into solutions, let’s talk about why you should take flies seriously. They’re not just annoying. They’re actually germ infested little hitchhikers. Flies can carry bacteria and pathogens from one surface to another, and they’re not picky about where they’ve been. Think garbage cans, pet waste, compost piles… and then your counter. See the problem?
Flies can:
- Contaminate your food and drinks.
- Spread germs and bacteria.
- Breed quickly. One fly can lead to dozens in days.
Bottom line: getting rid of them quickly is better than dealing with an infestation later.
Tip 1: Use an Electric Fly Zapper
Hands down, my favorite tool for fly control is an electric fly zapper. It works by attracting flies with a light, then zapping them instantly when they touch the grid. I keep one inside the house by our back entrance in the laundry room. Our laundry room leads to outside AKA where flies come from. We use it as a first line of defense.
I wasn’t sure it would make much of a difference when I first tried it. Now, I can’t live without it. It’s super low maintenance, easy to clean, and satisfying to hear it working. I know it works because I have to clean the dead flies around it all the time.
Pro Tip: Place your zapper where flies first come in the house. Focus on areas near a window or door. You can also put it in a room where you notice them most often.
I bought this exact electric fly zapper over 2 years ago and it still works great. Buy it on amazon here: https://amzn.to/4fK05TZ
Tip 2: Sticky Ribbon (Above the Kitchen Sink)
Sticky reels are another must have in my fly fighting toolkit. I have one right above my kitchen sink, and it’s amazing for catching little sink flies or fruit flies.
They work by attracting flies to a sticky surface, where they get trapped. It is very similar to a sticky mouse trap, except you hang it from the ceiling with a thumb tack.
Pro Tip: Replace or rewind sticky reels regularly to keep them fresh and effective. Steam and dust overtime can make them ineffective.
Add Fly Ribbons to your Walmart shopping cart: https://walmrt.us/4fFoZEq
Buy Fly Ribbons On Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HaenRb
Tip 3: Sticky Traps for Food Areas
If you don’t like the look of a hanging sticky reel in certain areas, you have options. You can opt for more discreet sticky traps. I like placing these near my fruit bowl or in corners of my kitchen where flies usually hang out. Some flies are smart and wont go near it for a while, but eventually they will let their guard down.
They’re less noticeable and still just as effective. They’re perfect for keeping flies out of sight and out of mind.
Add Fly Sticks to your Walmart Shopping List: https://walmrt.us/3JbSSjs
Buy Fly Sticks on Amazon: https://amzn.to/45ypQ5a
Tip 4: Indoor Electric Fly Swatter
Now, this one surprised me. At first, I didn’t think an electric fly swatter would be worth the hype. It took me a long time to finally buy one. Then it took a few days for me to really appreciate how nice it is. After using one for a month, I can say it’s way better than a regular fly swatter for certain situations.
Unlike a stationary zapper, you can actively hunt down flies with this. The one I have takes batteries and works like a charm. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about taking down your germ spreading targets until they’re all gone.
The big down side to this one is that my dogs do not like it. They actually run and hide in a corner when they hear the zap sounds. I feel terrible when my dogs get scared. I’ve been working really hard to get them comfortable with it by giving snacks after. I want my dogs to know they are always safe.
Pro Tip: Keep one handy in your kitchen or living room for quick battles.
Buy this exact electric fly swatter on Amazon: https://amzn.to/45NwFkr
Tip 5: Keep Doors and Windows Closed
This might sound obvious, but it’s worth saying, don’t invite the flies in! I know it’s tempting to let in fresh air, but without a proper screen, you’re giving flies a welcome mat.
If you want ventilation without flies, invest in window screens or screen doors. Weather stripping around doors also helps keep pests out.
Extra Fly Fighting Tips
If you want to go above and beyond, here are more tricks that work wonders:
- Take out the trash daily – Flies love garbage.
- Clean drains weekly – Use a drain brush or baking soda/vinegar to prevent breeding spots.
- Store food properly – Keep things in sealed containers.
- Use fly repelling plants – Basil, lavender, mint, and marigold all help.
- Set up fans – Flies hate strong airflow.
- Make vinegar traps – Apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap works like magic.
- Control them outdoors – Keep outdoor bins sealed and compost covered.
Add Fly Spray to your Walmart Shopping List: https://walmrt.us/412OSb0
Final Thoughts & Encouragement
Flies might be persistent. However, with the right mix of prevention and active control, you can keep your home virtually fly free.
Start with the methods that make sense for your lifestyle, then add in extra measures as needed. Before you know it, you’ll forget what that annoying buzzing even sounds like.
Thanks For Reading!
If you’ve battled flies before, I’d love to hear your tips! Share them in the comments below. If you want to me to write a post on how I have eliminated a fruit fly infestation twice, let me know!
Always, Desiree Faith ♡
Email: Business@DesireeFaith.com
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate & Sponsorship Disclosure for more details *
DesireeFaith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desireefaithr/#
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DesireeFaithR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesireeFaithR/
Tiktok: Coming soon!
Check out my full blog: DesireeFaith.com