How to Keep Flies Away: 8 Ways to Fight Flies in Your Home or Outdoor Space

Flies are as relentless as they are annoying, and it can often feel like there is no escaping the constant harassment. Still, whether they’re darting clumsily about your home or rudely buzzing around your picnic, there are ways to avoid their persistent pestering. Here’s how to keep flies away from your home, indoors and out.

1. Deter Flies With Pennies

If flies are bugging your barbecue, fill a resealable clear plastic bag about 3/4 of the way with water and toss three pennies into it. Then, seal the bag and hang it in a sunny spot near your food and/or gathering spots (use multiple bags to cover larger areas). This effectively, and somewhat mysteriously, keeps flies away.

So, why does it work? Some say the refracted light from the copper and water is disorienting for the fly’s ultra-sensitive compound eyes, according to the National Library of Medicine. Others believe the multifaceted appearance mimics the eyes of a much bigger insect. Either way, many swear by the effectiveness of this simple trick.

2. Repel Flies With Lemongrass Oil 

If you’re looking for a fly repellent, lemongrass oil has proven to be particularly effective. A clinical study found that flies spent significantly less time lingering in areas treated with lemongrass oil when compared to untreated spots, according to the National Library of Medicine. 

Add a few drops of oil to a diffuser or place soaked cotton balls or fabric strips wherever you see flies buzzing around. 

Keep in mind that lemongrass is harmful to pets, causing stomach upset, difficulty breathing, and in rare cases, death, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. To be safe, skip the diffuser and only treat out-of-reach areas if you have any furry friends.

3. Use Plants and Essential Oils to Keep Flies Away

Photo: lukszczepanski / Adobe Stock

Along with lemongrass, there are a few other botanicals that flies really can’t stand. 

These include:

• Lavender

• Eucalyptus

• Catnip

• Mint

• Citronella

• Rosemary

Use the essential oils of these plants just as you’d use lemongrass oil. Alternatively, you can plant them in your garden or in planters around your deck or patio. Note that many are also harmful to pets, so stick to pet-friendly repellent plants such as rosemary and catnip from this list if you have animals.

4. Lure and Trap Flies With Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar is a homemade insecticide that is highly effective at baiting flies to their demise. Fill bowls or mason jars with apple cider vinegar and a few generous squirts of dish soap. Then, cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes large enough for the flies to get through. The apple cider vinegar will lure the flies in, while the dish soap will make it impossible to escape. 

5. Hang Fly Baits Around Barns, Stables, and Other Areas

If you’re wondering how to get rid of flies bothering your livestock and outdoor animals, you might need a little extra help. Along with other prevention methods, you can try adding fly baits to control the number of flies in the area. 

A 2015 study on flies found that baits containing cyantraniliprole as the main ingredient were the most destructive to flies, but there are a variety of other options on the market. Keep in mind that these contain a fly attractant, so you’ll want to set them up a good distance from where your animals are. 

6. Repel Flies With a Strong Fan

Photo: mike / Adobe Stock

While they pack a lot of “annoying” for their size, flies are indeed tiny—and fans give you the perfect opportunity to use it against them. Simply position a strong fan to knock the little buggers off their flight path. If you’re behind the blast, this will drastically help keep the flies away from wherever you’re sitting. 

7. Know What Keeps Flies Away and Practice Prevention

If you’re curious about the most effective method for keeping flies away, prevention is key. Flies love food, moisture, and decay, so it’s important to eliminate these temptations in and around your home. 

Here are the best ways to prevent flies:

• Keep food and trash in sealed containers.

• Clean up doggy business ASAP.

• Keep your lawn neatly mowed.

• Remove standing water from your property.

• Avoid killing spiders—they love capturing delicious flies for their meals.

• Repair torn or broken window screens to keep flies out of your home.

If you need a deep cleaning for your home, hire a local house cleaning company to help.

8. Get Professional Pest Control 

Houseflies are a persistent pain that might be difficult to control on your own. If you’re seeing a massive, uncontrollable number of flies, there may be a breeding area on your property. A local exterminator has access to stronger insecticides and can help you locate the source of the flies, keeping them away for good.