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Trying to enjoy your backyard but constantly swatting flies away? Outdoor flies can make cookouts, patio time, and even gardening feel miserable.
They’re drawn to food, trash, pet waste, and even certain plants—and once they settle in, they’re hard to ignore.
Luckily, you don’t have to let flies ruin your outdoor space. With a few simple strategies, you can cut down their numbers and keep your yard more comfortable and pest-free.
Step 1: Remove What’s Attracting Them
Flies won’t hang around unless there’s something nearby drawing them in. Check your yard for common attractants:
- Pet waste that hasn’t been picked up
- Open trash cans or compost bins
- Leftover food or grill scraps
- Overripe fruit or fallen produce from trees
- Standing water or rotting leaves
Clean up these areas thoroughly and consistently—especially during warmer months when fly activity is higher.
Quick tip 💡: Use tightly sealed trash bins with lids that snap shut to block smells that attract flies.
Step 2: Use Natural Repellents Around Sitting Areas
Some plants and scents naturally repel flies. Add these to your outdoor areas:
- Basil and mint in pots around patios
- Lavender, marigold, or lemongrass in garden beds
- Essential oil sprays using eucalyptus, citronella, or peppermint
How to make a quick spray: Mix 2 cups of water with 10 drops of peppermint oil and spray around tables, chairs, or doorways.
Why it helps: These strong scents mask the smells that attract flies, making the area less appealing.
Step 3: Set Outdoor Fly Traps
You can reduce the fly population with homemade or store-bought traps. Try these:
- DIY bottle trap: Cut the top off a plastic bottle, flip it upside down, and place it inside the bottom half. Fill the bottom with a mix of sugar water or fruit juice + a drop of dish soap. Flies go in but can’t get out.
- Sticky fly ribbons or hanging traps placed away from eating areas
- UV light traps that attract and zap flies at night
Tip💡: Place traps away from food zones so flies are lured away, not toward where people gather.
Step 4: Keep Outdoor Food Covered
Flies are fast and persistent. If you’re eating or prepping food outdoors:
- Use mesh food tents or tight-fitting lids
- Don’t leave drinks or condiments out uncovered
- Clean grill grates and outdoor cooking areas after each use
Extra note: Flies are especially drawn to sugary drinks and meats—so cover those first.
Step 5: Improve Airflow and Use Fans
Flies are weak fliers. A strong breeze makes it harder for them to land or hover.
Set up outdoor fans near seating or eating areas. Even a small fan blowing across a table can keep flies at bay while you enjoy a meal.
Bonus benefit
Fans also help keep mosquitoes and gnats away!
