Many remedies turn out to be ineffective in the application. They don't seem to care about flies and there are reasons for that. The basis of a successful deterrence is the knowledge about the sensory organs of the insects. They can perceive colors and smell aromas.

A fly swatter is not enough to drive away flies permanently

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Ineffective Methods
  3. How to drive away flies?
  4. Drive flies outside
  5. DIY fly remedy
  6. frequently asked Questions

    7. the essentials in brief

    • Chemical means are superfluous in the fight against flies
    • Blue windows and water bags are not very effective against flies
    • Strongly scented plants such as lavender, catnip or laurel keep flies away
    • Yellow sticky traps can be made with yellow construction paper and sugar water

    These methods are ineffective

    There are some remedies that have been shown to be effective against flies under conditions that are often unknown. Usually not only one factor contributes to scaring away, but the interaction of different points has effectively kept flies at a distance.

    water bag

    A freezer bag filled with water is said to scare away flies. One theory says that the insects in the bag see their own reflection and therefore flee. The assumption that light reflections in the water confuse the flies sounds a little more plausible. In 2007 there was a study at North Carolina State University. Here, some rooms of an egg factory were provided with water bags, others not. Mike Stringham placed white index cards in both rooms and then counted the fly droppings.

    However, the results did not show major differences. Both rooms were visited by almost the same number of flies. In some cases, this method may still work. This observation is probably due to other factors and not the water itself:

    • clean apartment did not attract flies
    • seasonally variable occurrence
    • other food sources nearby
    • fewer flies flew due to suboptimal weather conditions

    That bags filled with water repel flies is a rather controversial theory

    blue windows

    In old literature there are recommendations to paint the windows of animal stables in blue paint. This measure is intended to deter flies so that cows and horses are spared the pests. In fact, the insects are attracted to blue colors. They perceive a blue window in the middle of a red brick wall differently than humans. Experiments have shown that the insects prefer to settle on blue surfaces. Blue windows attract flies and thereby keep them away from animals.

    digression

    The sense of sight of flies

    Flies have compound eyes whose numerous individual eyes enable a 360-degree view. Since the distance between sight and legs is extremely short, the insects can react in fractions of a second. Your eyes process many more images per second than the human eye. Between the compound eyes there are three spot eyes in the forehead area, which are responsible for the perception of contrasts.

    In insects, the range of perception is shifted far into the ultraviolet range. You mainly perceive blue, while red tones are only recognizable as a dull gray. Unlike humans, flies can perceive conspicuous patterns in the ultraviolet range. This is why white flowers appear conspicuous to humans in the fly's eye.

    How to get rid of flies

    Flies don't like the smell of lavender

    It works differently to drive away flies naturally without chemicals. The home remedies show their effectiveness in the home as long as they smell intense. The deterrent effect is not the same everywhere, because the concentration of the scents in the room decreases significantly with increasing distance from the source.

    What flies like:

    • food sources: unpackaged food, half-full glasses, crumbs, overripe and damaged fruit
    • Garbage can: open organic waste with a long service life
    • room conditions: windless conditions and warm temperatures

    vinegar

    If you want to get rid of small flies that infest your fruit in the kitchen, you can use vinegar. Fill a bowl with water and a few drops of vinegar essence and cover the container with foil. Pierce several holes and place the bowls next to the fruit plate. Fruit flies are attracted to the smell. They crawl into the trap and can't find a way out. So that the trap does not lose its effectiveness, it should be renewed daily.

    tea tree oil

    The intensely smelling essential oil is known for its antibacterial effect. Therefore, many insects, such as mosquitoes and flies, avoid environments that smell like tea tree oil. Put a few drops of oil in an aroma lamp and place it directly on the window sill in front of the open window. The effect can be weakened by drafts.

    Which plants repel flies?

    Flies have numerous sensory cells on their antennae that can detect smells and cause a reaction. The antennae of the fly species respond to different smells. Meat flies are attracted to the smell of rotting meat. Many umbellifers have an unpleasant odor for humans that magically attracts flies.

    Such plants attract insects to the garden, while other flowers and herbs exude fly-deterring aromas. These plants can prevent flies from entering the home with intense aromas. To do this, the measures must be repeated regularly, because essential oils are volatile.

    effective ingredients application helps against
    lavender lavandin Place the plant pot in the sun or distribute scented oil houseflies
    eucalyptus cineole lay out fresh leaves or apply scented oil mosquitoes and flies
    tansy camphor, borneol, thujone hang dried bouquets in the window white flies
    laurel cineole Set out flat vessels with bay leaf oil houseflies
    catnip nepetalactone Place the plant pot on the windowsill flies and mosquitoes
    lemon oil limes distribute slices houseflies

    Video:youtube

    Drive away annoying flies outdoors

    The insects are magically attracted to the aromas of fresh steaks and marinades. Desserts and sweet fruits are also a feast for flies of all kinds. When grilling, joy quickly turns to displeasure. The terrace is preferred when there is a farm directly adjacent to the garden.

    dustbin

    Organic and residual waste bins are true paradises for bluebottles, which find plentiful food sources here. To prevent insects from getting into the interior, you should provide the lid with a rubber seal. After emptying, clean the bin with vinegar water to remove any residue. Cover the bottom with newspaper and egg cartons. These materials absorb excess liquid. If you do discover maggots in the trash, you can kill them with ashes, salt, or vinegar water.

    tips

    Litter from the litter box works wonders because it absorbs moisture and prevents unpleasant odours.

    compost

    Flies love compost heaps

    The compost heap is also a paradise for flies. Therefore, you need to make sure that the compost is working properly. With good ventilation and sufficient moisture, hot rotting occurs. Temperatures inside can exceed 60 degrees Celsius, killing fly larvae. Some rock flour (14.13€) or pure ash helps against the maggots.

    ceiling fan

    Researchers at Jena University have discovered that hungry flies also fly against the wind. Insects show this behavior when the airflow spreads pheromones or smells of food. Otherwise flies avoid such winds. If you have the opportunity, you should install a ceiling fan above the dining table on the terrace and balcony. The gentle air flow keeps flies away from the table. In the room, too, a ceiling fan provides air currents that drive away houseflies.

    Flies avoid air currents and look for windless and warm places to stay.

    Garden design and maintenance

    Many umbellifers have specialized in insects as pollinators. They spread unpleasant odors that attract flies. Create a natural strip in a far corner of your garden with flowering plants that are attractive to flies. Keep the lawn around your patio short to create more hostile conditions.

    These plants attract flies:

    • Saxifraga: Moss Saxifrage, Jew's Beard, Nodule Saxifrage
    • Spleenwort: Alternate-leaf Spleenwort, Opposite-leaf Spleenwort
    • spurge: Midsummer Spurge
    • Clematis: Upright Clematis, Alpine Clematis
    • heart leaf: Swamp Sweetheart

    DIY fly remedy

    If flies keep landing on objects like overhead lights or screens, they leave behind unsightly poop marks. Often there is a territorial behavior behind it and the house flies try to mark their territory. On the other hand, simple measures can help. The insects flying around can also be baited with a self-made trap.

    Anti-fly cleaning agent

    Fly repellent can be made from home remedies

    It's not easy to get flies out of the room with aromas. The concentrations are usually not so high that the insects automatically look for a way out. Homemade remedies from essential oils prevent flies from settling on objects. Regularly wipe down surfaces with an anti-fly cleaning product as the aromas will evaporate very quickly.

    Ingredients:

    • Neem, cedarwood, clove oil
    • Lavender and Tea Tree Oil
    • oakmoss
    • fruit vinegar and water

    fly traps

    Mix some molasses and cornmeal into a paste and put it on a plate. Place this on the terrace and balcony to keep annoying flies away when barbecuing. Simple sticky traps can be made using an attractant such as peanut butter or honey and glue. Alternatively, a mixture of ground pepper and syrup works.

    Craft instructions:

    1. Cut newspaper or blotting paper into strips
    2. Attach strips to string
    3. Coat paper with attractant
    4. Knot the string at both ends and hang up
    5. Renew once attractant has dried out

    tips

    In the "Regulations book for druggists" from 1933, there is talk of a fly varnish made from ground rhizome powder of the tuba root and glucose syrup. Spread on paper, the agent attracts flies, which then stick.

    yellow boards

    Yellow boards can also be made by yourself

    Humans see yellow flowers differently than flies. Because of their ability to reflect UV light differently, insects see yellow flowers as completely different colors. They can shine not only yellow but also purple or have a conspicuous pattern. For this reason, yellow panels are preferably provided with a sweet attractant to catch flies:

    • Laminate yellow construction paper
    • Mix the sugar and water into a sticky mass
    • coat the boards

    Exploit the herd instinct phenomenon

    As early as 1967, the Swiss Entomological Society announced that house flies are subject to a herd instinct. Houseflies that are sitting still and eating attract more flies. The aggregations get bigger and bigger as more and more insects are made aware of the food source.

    This herd instinct also worked in experiments in which food plates were equipped with dummies or dead flies. You can take advantage of this phenomenon with yellow panels. It may look ugly, but the more flies stuck to the paper, the more insects it will attract. The attraction is reduced if you clean the trap regularly.

    frequently asked Questions

    Are there ornamental plants that deter flies?

    Strongly scented plants deter most flies and keep them away from homes and patios. Pelargoniums have proven to be good deterrent plants that keep flies away. You can choose different plants according to your taste and put them in a flower box (€16.99), or combine different scents:

    • Pelargonium crispum exudes lemony aromas
    • Pelargonium fragans smells of pine
    • Pelargonium tementosum causes peppermint smell

    How can I drive away flies and mosquitoes?

    The insects are deterred by essential oils. Catnip or eucalyptus have proven to be effective against flies and mosquitoes. You can cultivate catnip in pots and put it on the windowsill, or vaporize eucalyptus oil in an aroma lamp. Since the essential oils are volatile, the effect wears off after a short time. Therefore, you should repeat the measure regularly.

    How can I drive away small flies?

    Small flies on the ceiling can be fruit flies or fungus gnats. Attractant traps using vinegar or juices have proven effective on fruit flies. Fungus gnats usually come from the potting soil and should be fought with nematodes. To prevent such plagues from occurring in the first place, you should take preventive measures. Do not leave overripe fruit lying around and cover the substrate in the planter with a layer of sand.

    Where do houseflies lay eggs?

    The females prefer to lay their eggs in organic material that is in an advanced stage of decomposition. Garbage, compost, manure and food provide optimal conditions for the development of the larvae. In summer, a female can lay between 150 and 400 eggs per clutch. When the larvae hatch depends on the ambient temperatures. At 16 degrees Celsius, they need 46 hours. The higher the thermometer rises, the faster the development proceeds.

    How long do houseflies live?

    The service life depends heavily on the environmental conditions. Age is not only influenced by temperature, but also by humidity and food availability. The optimal temperatures are between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. If the thermometer drops below 15 degrees, immobilization takes place. Therefore, house flies reach the highest population size in the summer months. They have a life expectancy of between six and 70 days. Females live longer than males, who typically live to be 28 days.

    How fast are house flies?

    Flies can flap their wings about 180 to 330 times in one second. As a result, the insects reach a flight speed of 2.9 meters per second, which corresponds to around ten kilometers per hour. House flies are very agile and can react at lightning speed when danger threatens. This is possible because flies can process more frames per second than the human eye.

Category:

Animals in the garden