Short on time and asking yourself, how can I get rid of flies in my home quickly?
Below, our cleaning experts share the 10 best ways to get rid of flies inside and outside your home.
Pesky houseflies lay their eggs on organic matter and carry millions of microorganisms on their feet. Unfortunately, flies contaminate your food and surfaces, posing significant health risks to your family. Getting rid of a fly outbreak fast is easy with the right know-how.

Now, many chemical insecticides are available to kill flies. However, these chemical-based solutions pose risks to families and pets.
Therefore, you should choose safe and environmentally friendly remedies to keep them at bay.
Our experienced team has been cleaning homes in Chicagoland for 40 years, so we’ve encountered every type of fly infestation issue imaginable.
This fly-killing how-to guide will give you the best household DIY fly traps to eliminate fly infestations and prevent new ones, so let’s get to it!
10 Best Ways To Get Rid of Flies Naturally
Here are the 10 best ways to get rid of flies naturally without using harmful pesticides. Each method is fast and easy, depending on what DIY fly trap materials you have in the house.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Mixture
Apple cider vinegar and dish soap with a sprinle of sugar
Pour a cup of apple cider vinegar into a mason jar with a few drops of dish soap. Sprinkle just a pinch of sugar on top.
Next, cover the glass using plastic wrap. Then, put a rubber band around the rim of the jar and poke small holes in the saran wrap using a small knife.
Now, place the potent (and 100% natural) fly-killing glass near the fly breeding spot.

Indeed, the sugar and vinegar smell attracts gnats and flies while the dish soap on top traps them in the liquid mixture. However, don’t overdo it with the dish soap; 2-4 drops work best.
All things considered, this is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of fruit flies naturally, safely, and quickly.
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2. Use Natural Fly Repellents Lavender and Peppermint
Getting rid of flies never smelled so good. Combine peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and lemongrass essential oils with water for a natural fly repellent.
Put these essential oils directly in diffusers or spray the mixture around the entry points with a spray bottle.
This home made insect repellent can potentially keep flies out of your house without the smell.

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3. Sugar and Yeast Bottle Fly Trap
Another great homemade fly trap involves combining sugar and yeast in a bottle outdoors.
First, cut a plastic bottle in half and flip the top upside down to create a funnel.
Then mix ½ cup warm water, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon of yeast in the bottom half.
Secure the two halves together with tape and place the trap outside your home, perhaps near a sliding door or window.
The yeast and sugar produce carbon dioxide, which attracts flies into the trap, where they get stuck.
4. Place Sticky Traps Around Your Home
You can place the sticky traps around your home by removing the top of the dispenser for fly problems. The paper will roll out long, and the flies will quickly get stuck on the sticky surface.
Additionally, you can put these sticky traps in high-traffic areas.
Once the flypaper is full, you can wrap it in plastic and throw it in the garbage.
5. DIY Cayenne Pepper Spray Repellent
Mix cayenne pepper with a cup of water to make a simple spray that repels common fruitflies.
To be exact, mix one tablespoon of cayenne pepper in two cups of hot water.
Let this mixture sit for 15-20 minutes so the pepper’s smell quickly infuses into the water.
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6. Citronella Candles or Fans
To get rid of flies and prevent them during warm humid days, place citronella candles around doorways or windows. Just be sure to keep them in safe spots away from flammable materials in your home.
Also, position fans near these candles. Indeed, the fans will blow the citronella fragrance into the air and create a barrier to keep flies coming close to your space.
No doubt, this is one of the most commonly used hacks for home pest control and an easy way to get rid of flies like a professional.
7. Repel Flies with Orange Peels
Flies hate the smell of citrus. Scatter orange peels around problem areas.
Alternatively, tie orange peels in a muslin cloth bag and hang them in your kitchen. The fresh citrus scent naturally keeps flies away. Just with no harsh chemicals required.
8. Put Venus Flytraps in Problem Areas
Placing Venus flytraps in fly-prone areas is an easy, chemical-free way to control flies inside and outside your home. These carnivorous plants naturally attract and trap flies, helping keep their population in check.
Don’t forget to position your Venus Flytrap in bright, indirect sunlight and water them every 5-7 days.
If it’s not catching enough flies, you can occasionally feed small insects like fruit flies to keep these neat plants healthy and effective.
9. Set Up Light Traps Near Kitchens and Trash Cans
Fly killing light traps work best when you plug them in strategic locations. Accordingly, put light traps near typical fly hotspots like trash bins and countertops.
Moreover, doorways and windows are also effective hotspots to target.
Simply plug the light trap in a nearby outlet and regularly empty it to keep it functioning well.
No doubt, this is one of the easiest and most effective remedies for reducing fly populations and ensuring the most pleasant home environment.
10. Place Petroleum Jelly Bowl Near Drains
Flies breed mainly near drain areas. Another home remedy to get rid of flies is to fill a small bowl with petroleum jelly and place it near drains to attract drain flies.
Over time, flies will get stuck in the jelly.
Just make sure to toss the petroleum jelly out after unless you want to test out the worst tasting lip balm known to man.

Once it is filled with flies, be sure to replace the petroleum jelly in the bowl often to maintain its effectiveness.
Overall, this is a nontoxic yet effective method to target flies that nest in drain systems.
However, drain flies are often a sign of a larger plumbing issue like a clog. If flies keep coming back, you can either try to unclog your drains yourself or call a plumber before its too late.
Bonus Tip: Naturally Repel Bedbugs, Wasps, and Roaches
Getting rid of flies is important, but they aren’t the only annoying critters we deal with as homeowners.
If you want to repel bedbugs, wasps, and cockroaches at home, follow these steps:
- Mix 1 cup of baking soda with water to create a paste.
- For cockroaches, apply this thick paste in cracks, crevices, and behind appliances.
- You can easily wash the paste off with a damp rag. Use warm water for a faster cleanup.
For bedbugs specifically, apply the paste near mattresses, furniture, and other hidden spots they tend to gravitate towards.
What Causes House Fly Infestations?
Common houseflies such as Musca Domestica are prevalent pests that spread disease-causing bacteria, resulting in approximately $1 billion in annual costs for US homeowners.
Nevertheless, here are a few typical explanations as to why flies may be drawn to your residence and environment:
Decaying Food or Fruit
Flies eat dead and decaying food sources, such as overripe fruit. Sources like old bananas or apples attract flies into your house, no matter how clean your home is.

Warm Rooms
Flies love warm rooms. Excess heat makes rooms or spaces in your home into a perfect nest to lay eggs, grow into larvae, and continue the life cycle. Turn down the temperature on your thermostat to lower the chances that flies choose your home for nesting.
Humidity and Standing Water
Getting rid of flies is impossible when standing water is around. As you can imagine, standing water, damp soil and excessive humidity are breeding grounds for flies. Thus, flies thrive whenever such moist environments exist in your house.
Be sure to remove any standing water and unclog drains in your home to prevent this. Buy a dehumidifier for excessively damp or dark areas like basements and crawlspaces.
Open Doors or Windows
Flies enter your home through open windows, doors, and even small cracks. Any poorly sealed entry points provide easy access for flies. Make sure to caulk and seal gaps in door or window seals immediately. Consequently, proper caulking prevents drafts and reduces your monthly energy bills as well.
By the same token, screen doors help prevent flies from infiltrating your house, especially during spring or summer months. For additional protection, opt for a 20 x 20 mesh screen door with holes small enough to keep fruit flies out. Not to mention, thicker screens help keep the sun out and keep your house cooler which is a win-win.
What Are Signs of Fly Infestations?
According to the University of Florida, a female fly can lay up to 500 eggs in groups of 75 to 150 over three to four days. Indeed, that means that a few flies can turn into a whole lot of flies in your house within days.
Notwithstanding, you can detect these fly infestations by looking into the following tell-tale signs:
- Regular Flies Sightings: Many flies hum around garbage bins, waste containers, stale food, dirty dishes, open food, and overripe food items.
- Maggots in the Trash: Flies lay eggs in decaying organic materials. You may find maggots in garbage, compost piles, and other areas.

- Dark Clusters: You may see dark clusters of flies on walls, ceilings, and surfaces near the upper areas of the room and wall surfaces. These clusters indicate nearby breeding sites.
- Stinky Odors: A foul smell near compost areas, trash cans, and garbage cans signals decaying food or waste. Seal smelly expired food like fruits and veggies in a ziplock or shopping bag. You can also temporarily keep expired food in the freezer until trash day to reduce smells that attract flies.
The easiest way to prevent flies from becoming a nuisance is to keep a clean home. We recommend deep cleaning your house at least once every 3 months to ensure you keep flies at bay.
Why Choose Natural Remedies Over Chemical Pesticides
If you aren’t convinced yet, here’s a few more reasons why using natural remedies to get rid of flies indoors and outside work better than chemical pesticides:
Natural Fly Traps are Safe for Families and Pets
Natural remedies use common, non-toxic household ingredients. However, chemical pesticides are made from synthetic compounds that pose risks to humans, pets, and the environment.
Thus, by opting for natural remedies, you can effectively manage these pest issues and protect your family, friends, pets, and the planet from harmful exposure to chemical pesticides.

Minimal Environmental Impact
Chemical pesticides contaminate soil and water resources, negatively impacting the environment. However, natural remedies are typically kinder to the environment and preserve it.
If you are amped about going green, natural remedies to get rid of flies are the best way to prevent flies and kill them fast.
It’s Cost-Effective
Natural remedies are created with common household ingredients that are budget-friendly. On the other hand, chemical pesticides often come with a high price tag. Therefore, by using home remedies, you can save money and, as long as you read this article, save a ton of time.
Tips To Keep Flies Away From Your Home
The best way to keep flies away from your home is to destroy the breeding sites. Accordingly, here are some practical tips to help you prevent fly infestation:
Clean Up Food Immediately
Flies are often attracted to food residues. To keep flies away from such spots, you should always immediately clean up spills and crumbs from your countertops, tables, and floors.
Also, regularly clean the outside of your trash bins, including the tracks of any pull-out trash bins installed under your counters.
When cleaning waste baskets and bins, keep it simple. A mixture of dish soap and warm water will do the trick. Just dry the bins entirely before putting your liners back in.
Store Food in Airtight Containers
If you aren’t careful, flies will quickly access open food containers and contaminate your food. Try to use airtight containers or compost heaps with tight-fitting leads. These covered containers keep your food fresh and prevent flies from getting to it.
Learn how the best residential cleaners effectively remove sticker residues from plastic Tupperware or stainless steel appliances like ovens, microwaves, and fridges.

Pro Cleaning Tip: Instead of throwing old food items away that can stink up your trash can, freeze them until a day before your trash is picked up. Seal old food items in plastic grocery bags and leave them in the freezer until trash day pickup. Don’t forget to label the bag with a Post-it note to remind you to toss the old items away!
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Manage Trash Properly
You should dispose of the garbage from the bins regularly to prevent the decaying of organic matter like animal feces and food waste. Without question, managing trash properly reduces the amount of flies you’ll see at home big time!
Accordingly, you should double-bag smelly items to reduce smells inside of a dumpster or bin.
Not to mention, keeping the inside and outside of your trash cans clean with a hose after trash day is a must during summer months.
Consult an Exterminator
If you have severe fly infestations at your home and these natural remedies do not work for you, it might be time to call an exterminator. Indeed, professional exterminators or pest-removal companies will provide targeted treatments to eliminate flies from your home.
All in all, these preventative measures can drastically reduce the chance of recurring fly issues in and around your house.
Say Goodbye to Flies
Have you tried all ten of the natural remedies to get rid of your fly problems? Did the flies come back? It could be because you’ve got a messy home in general.
However, if you’re in Chicago’s western suburbs, you can contact Sophia’s Cleaning Service to help you maintain the cleanest home possible.
Therefore, this reduces the chance you’ll have to deal with getting rid of flies in the first place.
Remember, a regularly cleaned home is the number one easiest way to keep indoor houseflies to a minimum.
Fly Removal FAQs
Here are the most common fly removal questions we get from homeowners dealing with flies inside and outside of their homes.
How do I get rid of flies outside my home?
To reduce the number of flies outside my home, I’ll clean up food scraps promptly, secure garbage bins with tight lids, eliminate standing water where they might breed, use fly traps like sticky paper or homemade solutions, and plant herbs like basil and lavender that repel flies.
I’d also keep outdoor areas clean, consider installing screens or using outdoor fans, and, if needed, use insecticides carefully or seek professional pest control help.
When should I consider calling a professional?
You should consider calling a professional if the infestation is severe and flies start breeding in hard-to-reach areas despite applying home remedies.
This will enable you to get solutions from professionals to address infestations best. Speaking of hiring professionals, here’s how much to tip if you want your home cleaning team to do a great job continually.
Are house flies harmful?
Yes, houseflies are harmful. They pick up pathogens and transfer them to your food, spreading diseases. Flies contribute to various diseases, such as disease transmission, food contamination, property destruction, allergic reactions, and discomfort for homeowners.
Why choose home remedies for fly infestations?
You should choose home remedies for fly infestations because many include everyday items from your kitchen that are non-toxic and safe for kids and pets. This includes apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap to kill flies.
Not to mention, they’re cheap, and most, like lavender and peppermint, are natural and easy to find in your local grocery store.
About Sophia’s Cleaning

Meet the owners of Sophia’s Cleaning Service on Youtube.
Chicagoland Service Areas:
Sophia’s Cleaning is a local and family-owned cleaning company located in La Grange, Illinois. Our professional office and house cleaning teams service all western Chicago suburbs including:
- La Grange, IL
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