The Best Fly Repellent – 12 Natural Fly Repellent Options You May Not Have Thought Of

Like most of us, you’re probably well aware that there are plenty of options available for managing those annoying and pesky flies in your life. From pesticides to insecticide powders, it’s easy to purchase and use whatever product is on your nearest store shelf.

But these days, we’re all trying to be more mindful of how we interact with our environment and surroundings. Therefore, if you’re one of those people who wants to take a more natural or DIY approach when it comes to getting rid of flies, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you are looking for methods that don’t require any harsh chemicals or you’re simply looking for a quick and effective method of fly removal on the spot, then this article is for you.

Join us as we take a look at some of the best fly repellent options you may not have known about.

But First, Let’s Chat About Flies

Flies are small, winged pests common throughout the world.

Flies are one of the most common and annoying insect pests in the world. They are relevant in almost every part of the continent except for Antarctica, and their presence ranges from mere irritation to serious danger when it comes to how they can affect people, pets, and even the environment.

But what are flies, really?

Flies are insects that belong to the order Diptera and can be divided into two suborders: Nematocera and Brachycera. The former has long antennae while the latter has short antennae.

While there are thousands of species of flies around the world, only a few pose a serious risk to humans and animals. Flies like mosquitoes, for example, are considered some of the most dangerous pests on earth because they can carry and spread diseases such as typhus or dysentery.

Some types of flies have also been found to carry parasites such as tapeworms and hookworms, which can cause serious health problems in people and animals.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for livestock farmers to use strong pesticides to kill flies and other pests that feed on their animals for this very reason.

And if you have a fly problem, it’s likely you’re looking for the best fly repellent options as well. But before you go spraying your farm with chemicals, there are some more natural remedies you should know about.

What Is Natural Fly Repellent And Does It Really Work?

Natural fly repellent options come in many forms.

If you are looking for a natural way to repel flies, then you should know that there are plenty of options available to you. The first thing that you need to do is look at what the insects are attracted to.

What Is Natural Fly Repellent And Does It Really Work?

There are plenty of natural fly repellent methods you can purchase at home good stores and gardening locations, but there are also several fly repellent products you can make at home yourself.

But while concocting the best fly repellent at home does sound tempting, you might be asking yourself if these methods we are about to go over below really work.

So, what are natural fly repellents, and what makes them so effective?

Natural fly repellents can come in many forms, with many containing ingredients that can help ward off these pesky insects by irritating a fly’s strong senses. The best fly repellent options you make at home will deter flies by making the pests not want to come near your area due to strong smells, unpleasant environments, or unsafe conditions.

Many of the best fly repellent options listed below are safe for people and pets because they are made from plants or other products found in nature. This helps make these the best fly repellent options for those who want to avoid using chemicals or for those who have children or pets in the home.

Different Types Of Natural Fly Repellent Options You May Be Unaware Of

Natural methods for fly repellent could include essential oils, companion planting, and more.

If you are looking for a natural way to repel flies, then you should know that there are plenty of options available to you. Best of all, many of the options for the best fly repellent can be made from ingredients you probably already have in your medicine cabinet or pantry.

And if you have a green thumb, you can even try using your natural talent to keep flies at bay! Take a look below at 12 of the best fly repellent options using natural methods or do-it-yourself forms of pest control.

1. Companion Planting
2. Citronella Smoke
3. Lemon-Clove Oil
4. Water In A Plastic Bag
5. Essential Oils
6. Carnivorous Plants
7. Bats
8. Vinegar Trap
9. Sugar And Water
10. Spiders
11. Yellow Light Bulbs
12. Stay Clean And Tidy!

Curious how to implement the above best fly repellent methods into your daily life to help keep not only flies but many other pesky insects at bay? Then keep reading!

1. Try Companion Planting

Peppermint works well to repel flies and many other pests.

Flies are a nuisance and they can be difficult to get rid of. They can be a problem in your garden, around your patio, or even in your kitchen. There are several ways you can keep flies away from your home and garden, and companion planting is one of the most effective methods.

Companion planting is the practice of planting different plants together in order to boost their growth, improve their health and attract beneficial insects. Some of the best types of plants to help keep flies at bay include:

Alliums

Alliums like garlic, chives, and onions are excellent natural fly repellents because they work as a natural deterrent to these pests thanks to the way they smell.

Alliums are members of the onion family. They are typically hardy perennials that grow from bulbs, but you can also get some varieties that are grown as annual plants. Garlic is probably the most widely known of all the Alliums, but there are many different other types as well. You can also find varieties of Alliums that produce pink or purple flowers for added color in your garden.

Alliums have a strong odor that repels flies and other insects. This makes them perfect for companion planting with vegetables that may also attract pests like aphids or mosquitoes. You can plant them around your tomatoes or cucumbers if you notice that they attract lots of insects or even use them as companion plants for your vegetable garden.

Basil

Basil plants work as one of the best fly repellent options for keeping flies out of your garden or even your home because you can grow them both inside and out.

Basil also has the added benefit of being a great herb to have in your kitchen because it has so many culinary uses. Basil is one of the most popular herbs used in cooking, and it’s been used for centuries by many cultures around the world.

Basil plants release an odor that repels flies and keeps them away from your plants. Basil has been shown to repel flies from tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and other vegetables. It also works as a natural pest repellent in gardens if you want to keep away other pests like aphids, whiteflies, and thrips from attacking your plants.

When planting basil with your vegetable plants, try not to plant it too close together because the plant can overtake other plants.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another popular plant that serves as one of the best fly repellent options for your garden or home due to its strong smell.

Peppermint plants have a strong smell that flies find intolerable. The strong scent does not only repel flies but also spiders, ants, and other insects.

You can grow peppermint in your garden or pot and it will grow well both indoors and outdoors. It has small, white flowers that attract honeybees so you can use it as an ornamental plant as well.

The best thing about growing peppermint is that it is easy to maintain and grows fast so you will get more than a few benefits out of it.

2. Smoke Them Out With Citronella

Citronella candles have long been used as a natural form of fly control.

Citronella candles are quite popular when it comes to the best fly repellent and especially when it comes to repelling smaller species of flies like mosquitoes. These candles can be used both indoors and outdoors depending on the situation and brand.

The use of citronella has been a common form of pest control worldwide and has been used for centuries, but the popularity of citronella candles, in particular, has grown in recent years. The main reason for this is that the use of citronella candles is safe for people, pets, and the environment when it comes to looking for the best fly repellent options.

3. Use A Lemon-Clove Oil Mix

Both lemons and cloves are naturally repulsive to flies.

The properties of lemons and cloves are naturally repulsive to flies, making a homemade lemon-clove oil mix an excellent option for how to get rid of flies. Mix up a batch of this repellent in the kitchen, then store it in a spray bottle and apply it liberally to your home and yard.

Lemons have been used as a natural insecticide for thousands of years. The juice from fresh lemons contains citric acid and limonene, both of which are effective at killing flies and other insects. Cloves contain eugenol, which is also toxic to flying insects.

The citric acid in lemon juice will not harm humans or animals when applied directly to the skin, but it can damage synthetic fabrics so be sure not to spill any on clothing or furniture.

To make this homemade fly repellent spray, you will need:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
• 30 drops of clove essential oil
• 15 drops of lemon essential oil

Put all the above ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Then spray it around your home and garden as needed to repel flies.

4. Hang Water In Plastic Bags

Flies have complex eyes, which is one of the theories behind why bags of water works to prevent them.

If you have a fly problem, hanging water around your home in plastic bags may sound like some strange and made-up ritual, but many people swear by this method. It is said to work because it causes irritation to the fly’s eyes, which are unable to navigate where they are going due to the reflection of light coming through these bags when they are hit by the sun.

While many people swear by this method, we should note that there is no scientific evidence that hanging plastic bags filled with water really is one of the best fly repellent options.

However, this method is easy and free to try, so you really have nothing to lose by giving it a chance.

Start by hanging clear plastic bags filled with water outside your house — preferably in areas where flies congregate (near garbage cans, for example). It is also advisable to hang more than one bag at a time so that there would be more reflection of light coming through them when they are hit by the sun.

You can also hang these bags near drains or other areas where flies tend to land for best results.

5. Try Essential Oils

Many common essential oils like peppermint oil and lemongrass oil can repel flies.

Essential oils are one of the best fly repellent methods for the same reason companion planting is. Using essential oils works by using plants and herbs that naturally repel insects and bugs, so they don’t want to hang around your property.

Essential oils like peppermint, citronella, and lavender have been used for years as natural pest control methods.

You can use essential oils in conjunction with other methods to make them more effective when it comes to fly repellent as well. Essential oils can be used on their own or mixed with other ingredients such as water or vinegar to create homemade fly repellents that are safe for both humans and animals.

The following essential oils repel flies:

The following essential oils repel flies:

• Citronella oil
• Lemongrass oil
• Peppermint oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Lavender Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• And Eucalyptus Oil

6. Invest In Carnivorous Plants

If you have a green thumb or if you’re really looking to have some fun while using the best fly repellent methods available, why not try your hand at raising some carnivorous plants?

Most of us are aware of the Venus fly trap, but there are several other types of carnivorous plants that feast on flies and other pests that may be causing irritation in your garden or around your home.

These plants include:

• The Venus Fly Trap
• The Sundew
• The Pitcher Plant
• Bladderwort
• And The California Pitcher Plant

Of course, not all of the above plants will work as the best fly repellent method as they can be difficult to grow and care for in certain environments. If you are looking for the easiest plant to help you control flies, we suggest sticking with the famous Venus Fly Trap.

7. Invite The Predators

Venus fly traps are easy to grow and can help control flies.

One of the best fly repellent options you have on hand is the fly’s natural predators. Flies may be a nuisance, but they do play an important role in our ecosystem, especially when it comes to serving as food for larger animals.

Some of the most common animals that feast on flies and that can help you control them include:

Birds

Birds are probably one of the best-known fly predators. Many birds will eat just about any insect they can get their beaks on, especially flies. If you have bird feeders or bird baths around your home, this will encourage birds to visit your yard and keep the fly population down.

Bats

Bats are another good option for controlling flies in your yard. While bats do tend to get a bad rep, they are actually quite beneficial when it comes to controlling pests and are even considered one of the best fly repellent options available, especially when it comes to controlling mosquitoes.

You can invite bats to your property by installing bat boxes nearby. These boxes will help ensure bats stick around, but at a safe distance.

Frogs and Toads

Frogs and toads are among nature’s greatest fly hunters. They eat a variety of insects including flies and mosquitoes. You can encourage frogs and toads to come to your yard by creating a pond that will provide them with plenty of water and shelter.

You can also purchase frog and toad houses from many garden centers or online stores, as well as tadpoles that you can introduce to your pond or yard to help keep flies and other insects under control.

Make A DIY Vinegar TrapVinegar is a common household ingredient that can be used to repel flies

You may not have essential oils or carnivorous plants at your disposal, but you very likely have vinegar of some type in your pantry. And this is great news because vinegar is one of the best fly repellent products you can use when it comes to getting rid of these nasty pests.

To make your own vinegar trap to get rid of flies, you will need the following:

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3-4 drops of dish soap (optional)
• A plastic container with a lid (preferably clear)

Here is how to make the trap:

1. Pour about half an inch of vinegar into your container; add enough water so that it reaches about halfway up the side of the container — this will be enough liquid to attract flies without drowning them when they fall in. Then add a few drops of the liquid dish soap and stir until sudsy.

2. Create a small hole in the center of your lid where flies can enter, then close the lid tightly after adding your liquid.

3. Place the container near your problem area (in a window, for example), and wait for the trap to do its magic!

4. Remove dead flies and repeat the process as needed.

9. Make A Sugar And Water Fly Trap

A sugar and water trap is one of the easiest and most cost-effective fly traps you can make.

Another one of the best ways to get rid of flies naturally is by making a sugar and water fly trap at home. This is an excellent way of killing flies without using toxic chemicals or pesticides.

If you don’t have vinegar on hand as a form of the best fly repellent, you surely have sugar! You can easily make your own sugar and water fly trap using those two ingredients in a similar way to how you would use the vinegar trap.

All you need to do is create a mixture of equal parts sugar and water in a jar or container that has holes in the lid so that the flies can enter but not exit.

The flies will be attracted to the sweet-smelling bait and will become trapped inside the jar or container where they will eventually drown.

For best results, place your homemade fly trap near windows or doors where there are high numbers of flies present.

10. Use Ultrasonic Sound Pest Repellents

Ultrasonic pest repellents are incredibly popular and are often considered one of the best fly repellent methods by those seeking a natural way to keep insects at bay.

They work by emitting high-pitched sounds that can only be heard by pests and not humans. This means that you can use them in your home or garden without having to worry about any unwanted side effects on yourself or your family members.

Ultrasonic pest repellents can be used for a variety of different types of pests, including flies, cockroaches, ants, spiders, and even larger pests like rodents, moles, and bats. Many of these devices are easy to install and work by simply being plugged into your wall.

Depending on the brand, you can use ultrasonic sound repellents both indoors and out.

11. Install Yellow Light Bulbs Around Your Home

Yellow lights add a lovely ambiance to your home while also repelling flies.

We all know that flies are attracted to light, though scientists are still scratching their heads as to why this might be. However, we now know that not all types of lights attract flies. In fact, some types of light bulbs actually work as the best fly repellent.

Yellow light bulbs in particular have been found to repel pests like flies due to their wavelengths. These wavelengths are known as “blues” and can be found in many different types of bulbs, including energy-efficient ones like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED lights.

In addition to being effective at repelling flies and other pests, yellow lights also come with some added benefits for homeowners. For example:

The yellow glow looks more natural, and this look is often preferred by many homeowners.

They don’t get hot like incandescent bulbs do (which means they won’t burn your fingers or set anything else on fire when you touch them).

Yellow light bulbs also use less energy than incandescent bulbs do (which means they cost less money over time).

12. Stay Clean And Tidy!

Keeping your home clean is one of the best ways to keep flies at bay.

Last, one of the most effective and best fly repellent methods you can use is prevention. Being proactive when it comes to fly control means ensuring your home is not attractive to these pests.

Clean your home regularly, especially around garbage cans, and keep food covered. You should also make sure there is no standing water on your property.

To prevent flies from getting into your house in the first place, install door sweeps on all exterior doors and repair any cracks or holes in the walls or windows. You may also want to consider keeping doors closed as much as possible during warm weather months.

If you do have a problem with flies coming inside your home, then use an insecticide or one of our other best fly repellent methods above that are safe for indoor use. Apply fly repellents in areas where you know flies to be entering, such as near doorways or window sills.

It also helps to know what flies are attracted to. Some species of flies are attracted to pet waste and decaying organic matter. Keeping your yard clean and clutter-free can also help keep flies under control.

Other Tips On Fly Control, According To Experts

Keeping flies under control starts with good habits.

Flies are certainly a nuisance in the garden or around the home. They can spread disease, contaminate food and cause skin irritation if they bite. To control flies in the garden or around your home, remember to use the above fly repellent methods in conjunction with other forms of pest control year-round.

Be sure to keep your yard clean by picking up trash and debris on a regular basis. Remove old leaves from plants, rotting fruits from trees, etc., as this will remove food sources for flies.

Clean up after your pets by picking up pet waste daily and disposing of it properly. Flies lay their eggs in animal excrement so keeping it cleaned up will help prevent an infestation of maggots around your property.

Keep compost piles covered at all times when not in use so that flies cannot lay eggs in them, and remove excess water sources around your home like bird baths, clogged gutters, or even kiddie pools or dog bowls.

And remember, though fly infestations are rare, an influx in flies could mean you have another pest problem going on as well. If you do find your fly problem has gotten out of control, it may be best to contact a professional for further assistance.

So, what did you think about our list above of the best fly repellent options? Have you tried any of our above methods for fly removal?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!