One of the most annoying pests that returns in the spring is the house fly.
No matter how clean you keep your house, flies seem to, well, fly inside, and before you know it, you’re reaching for your fly swatter every few minutes.
House flies are on the lookout for food and water, making your kitchen or office breakroom the perfect place to hang out. They’re mostly just annoying pests, but they can carry disease and spread infection.
Here are a few tips for dealing with house flies:
- Remove the food source. Don’t leave food out, and don’t let dirty dishes pile up in the sink. Keep a lid on your trash can and empty it regularly.
- Turn on the “No Vacancy” sign. How are flies getting in? Don’t leave doors or windows open, unless they have a good, tear-free screen. Check the caulking and weather stripping around your doors and windows, too.
- Pick up after your pet. Keep Fido’s food in an airtight container, and don’t leave food sitting out for hours. Got a litter box? Make sure to clean that regularly.
- Aromatherapy. Flies don’t like clean scents, like peppermint, lemongrass, basil and eucalyptus, so stock up on those essential oils. Fill a spray bottle with water and mix in just enough oil for scent. Spray the mixture around the house or anywhere you see flies. (Be sure to keep the spray away from kids and pets!)
- Fly traps. You can buy fly traps, or you can make your own. Mix apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap in a container, then cover the mixture with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic wrap to the container with a rubber band and poke holes in the wrap. The flies will be attracted to the apple cider vinegar and will get trapped inside. Voila – a homemade fly trap!
- Go dark. Flies are attracted to bright lights, so turn off your outdoor lights, unless they are absolutely necessary.
- Call the professionals. If you’re constantly seeing flies, it’s probably time to call the experts. Ark Pest Control & Prevention offers both residential and commercial pest management plans, so contact us today!