Why does my yard have so many flies

Roll a stiff piece of paper into a cone long enough to reach from the top of the jar to just above the level of the liquid, and snip off the tip.

Citronella, a highly aromatic oil distilled from several varieties of lemongrass, repels both flies and mosquitoes. These devices most resemble small tennis rackets electrocute flying bugs with a loud zap. Flies hate the smell of this liquor, so fill a few small plastic sandwich bags halfway with the cheap stuff, zip the bags most of the way shut, and then use twine or string and some heavy-duty clothespins to hang the bags around your yard.

Instead of buying commercial scented fly strips to deter the pests, make your own with the essential oils that fly hate. Simply cut a piece of cloth into strips 12 inches long and one inch wide. Moisten each strip with several drops of any of the following: clove, lavender, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, or mint.

So tidy up after outdoor parties and keep a tight lid on trash cans and compost. If the family pooch does his business in the yard, clean up after him immediately.

Hungry arachnids will devour any flies they can snare. Surround your patio or barbecue with the potted herbs that flies hate. That includes basil, lavender, and mint. Flies need to drink water and so are drawn to puddles, birdbaths, and soggy patches caused by dripping sprinklers. In this guide, we outline how to get rid of flies outside so you can enjoy your yard without worrying about an infestation.

If you want to know how to get rid of flies, it helps to know a bit about their origins. Outside flies are typically attracted to animal feces, dead animals, or decaying organic matter. Adult flies are attracted to areas where they can lay eggs, like compost piles, farms, roadkill, trash bins, and other areas where they can find organic matter.

Flies typically lay their eggs where there is organic or decaying material. When the weather starts warming and flies mature, you might also need to know how to get rid of flies on porch spaces. Especially when there are trash bins nearby. Even though flies do not bite humans , that does not mean they do not pose threats. For example, because flies feed on many types of filthy matter and human food, they can pick up disease-causing organisms. Each time a fly comes into contact with food or people, it can spread these disease-causing organisms.

When checking for outdoor flies, look for potential food sources and try to find where the flies are laying eggs. Think about the materials that typically entice flies, including alcohol, food spills, dirty surfaces, pet waste, and sticky surfaces from drink spills.

Flies are also attracted to birdhouses and lighting. Outdoor files use small cracks and crevices to enter your home. Look for cracks in doors, holes in screens, and other damage where flies can gain access. Flies might also hitch a ride on your pet when they go inside — especially if they have any food caught on their coat. There are many ways to get rid of outdoor flies, starting with eliminating their food source and other materials that might attract them.

You can also use products and other remedies to treat your yard and other areas where your children and pets spend time. Try these all-natural solutions:. Flowers and herbs are natural fly repellants.

Try planting basil, bay leaves, catnip, lavender, and marigolds. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Pest problems? Find licensed pest control experts in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project.

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