If you don’t have a good vacuum, you could also get an electrified fly swatter. It is way more effective than a regular one and works outdoors as well. Once you get close to a fly, the electricity stuns it so you can get rid of it.

If you don’t have apple cider vinegar handy, make sure you have a fruit-flavored dish soap. Replace the vinegar with an equal amount of water.

Sugary foods and drinks make for great bait if you don’t have sugar. Try using honey, wine, or even some decaying fruit. You could also add yeast to help bring in the flies. To make your own funnel, cut a piece of paper into a circle, then cut a wedge out of one side. Fold the cut ends together to create a cone with about a 0. 39 in (0. 99 cm) bottom opening. Tape the ends together to hold the cone in place. Another way to make a cone is by cutting a soda bottle in half. Put the bait in the bottom portion. Remove the cap from the top portion, turn it upside down, and insert it into the bottom portion.

These strips are very sticky, so be careful to avoid getting them stuck to your hair. Try to keep the strips in visible areas as much as possible. Remove the flypaper as the flies accumulate. It is a little gross to look at, but it’s a small price to pay for a fly-free home. You can then hang up a new strip to catch more flies.

Electric zappers produce a loud noise when flies land on them. If you’re not prepared for it, it may be a little annoying. There are some zappers that work well outdoors, which the manufacturer will list on the packaging. These zappers work best when you’re nearby. When you don’t need them, take them down so they can’t attract more flies. You could also get a UV light trap. UV traps are quieter than regular electronic traps. The flies land on glued boards you can remove and replace as needed.

You could chop or grind up fresh cayenne or use dried powder to make the repellant. Dried cayenne is stronger and more effective, but it loses potency faster. Spray more of the repellant when you can no longer smell it in the air. Ginger is another strong spice that repels flies. Use it when you don’t have any cayenne powder lying around.

To plant herbs, use neutral soil or potting soil. You could keep the herbs in small growing boxes, pots, or in the ground. Make sure the soil is well-drained and receives about 6 hours of sunlight each day. These plants are non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about planting them. You could even keep small boxes of herbs on your window sills to deter flies.

Replace the herbs as they start to lose potency. When you no longer smell the herbs, throw them away and refill the bags.

This works indoors as well. Try it by turning on a ceiling fan near where flies gather. The only problem is that it disperses the flies instead of getting rid of them, so use a trap or vacuum cleaner to catch them.

Since sprays are pretty harsh, clear the treatment area. Keep other people and pets away for several hours as you air out the area. If you’re treating small groups of flies that are easy to handle, consider making your own trap first. Fruit flies, for instance, are fairly easy to handle with a sugary liquid and a little patience.

Understand what types of food attract different types of flies. For instance, fungus gnats come from overwatered plants, fruit flies come from overripe fruit or produce, phorid flies come from trash and organic matter, and house flies come from standing trash or outside. [11] X Research source Joshua Bloom. Pest Control Specialist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020. To make your trash area more secure, use liners to keep cans and dumpsters clean. Empty them as they get full and wash them out whenever you notice spills. When you clean out a trash can or dumpster, also check the area around it for spilled food. Sometimes food falls on the ground and it isn’t easy to spot. If you notice flies around a clean, closed can, chances are a hidden spill is the cause.

Look out for leftovers! Flies flock to sugary drinks and decaying foods. That also makes them good for traps, so take advantage of the opportunity!

Flies like wet areas with decaying food in it. Check inside drains, inside dishwashers, and underneath appliances for food and moisture. Clean these items out as often as you can to prevent them from becoming fly havens.

Regularly inspect the screens and windows around your home, and repair them if you notice that any are torn or missing. [15] X Research source Joshua Bloom. Pest Control Specialist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020. Pay the most attention to areas where walls meet. These spots are most likely to have gaps in them that need to be filled. Squeeze a bead of caulk into the gaps to close them off.

To drain soil, change its slope, aerate it, or mix sand into it. Also, keep your lawn mowed to reduce the amount of water beneath the grass blades. Be aware of damp areas in your home, such as drains and leaky pipes. Clean and make repairs as needed to keep your home dry. Agitate the water in birdbaths with a fountain. That will break the surface tension and not let them land and have a drink.

Keep compost piles at least 20 ft (6. 1 m) away from your home to discourage flies from coming inside.