Flies are a nuisance, it doesn’t matter where you’re sat or stood, they seem to buzz right past your ear. It’s another to make you flinch although you rarely make contact with the fly.
But, they are also dangerous. Flies can carry a number of diseases, including dysentery, cholera, and even tuberculosis. In fact, it’s estimated they can carry as many as 65 diseases!
Of course, the fact that flies multiply at a surprisingly fast rate. They lay approximately 100 eggs at a time which can become flies within 5 days. The adult flies then live for approximately 4 weeks.
That’s why you want to keep as many of them out of your home as possible.
Fortunately, it doesn’t need to cost you a fortune.
Electricity
You’ve probably seen the electrical fly zappers, also known as led fly control. The flies are attracted to the LED’s as they remind them of the sun. Unfortunately for the fly, once it touches the bars it will receive an electric shock and die instantly.
This is actually one of the most humane and efficient ways of getting rid of flies.
Flypaper
An alternative is to hang flypaper in the most commonly used entry and exit points. The flies are attracted to the aroma of the paper but, once they land on it, are unable to fly off again.
However, you need to make sure these are positioned so that you don’t accidentally walk into them, they will tangle around your hair which is not a pleasant experience!
Home Made Fly Traps
It is also possible to make your own fly traps. Simply cut the top off a plastic bottle and invert it into the other half of the bottle. Add some sweet liquid to the bottom of the bottle, the flies will be attracted to the smell and enter the trap, but be unable to leave.
Keep It Clean
You should also focus on cleanliness.
Flies feed on waste, this means if you leave food deposits on your countertops the flies will come into your own home.
To prevent this always put your food away after you’ve finished preparing it. You should also make sure that the bin has a lid and is kept closed.
When you remove the rubbish tie a knot in the bag and keep it as far away from the house as possible.
Guttering Issues
Your guttering needs to be cleaned regularly if it isn’t you may have dead birds or decomposing garden waste building up in them, this will also attract flies. Cleaning the guttering will help to prevent these issues.
Water
Finally, you should also consider if there is any standing water in your home or garden. As with any creature flies need water, if you remove the standing water then the flies won’t have anything to drink.
This also applies to your plants, over-watering them will create a water reserve for the flies.
It won’t take much effort to remove the things that attract flies and keep them away from your home.