Looking for a few effective and all-natural ways to keep flies away from your porch, patio, deck and other outside entertaining areas?
There is nothing more aggravating that trying to enjoy the outdoor spaces around your home and have a swarm of flies hovering all around. Whether it’s spoiling an outdoor breakfast, lunch or dinner by landing on your food, or having them buzz you and your guests during a visit, flies can all but ruin outdoor activities.
Flies can be more than just annoying. Not only is their constant landing on your skin and surrounding surfaces annoying, it can also spread disease. As crazy as it sounds, the common household fly is known to spread well over 60 diseases to humans. And some of those can be quite serious!
Although there are numerous commercial sprays, traps, and insecticides that can help control fly populations, they can often be a safety concern when using around children, pets and even adults. Even more, they can be quite costly as well.
But the good news is that there are safer and more economical solutions. In fact, as it turns out, when it comes to keeping flies away, there are actually several all-natural methods that are not only highly effective, but 100% safe.
How To Safely Keep Flies Away From Your Patio, Deck & Outdoor Spaces
Keeping Flies Away With Herbs
One of the best all-natural methods for keeping flies out of the areas you enjoy is with herbs. Strategically placed herbs in pots, containers, hanging baskets and even in the flowerbeds around your outdoor entertaining spaces can work wonders against flies.
But not just any herbs will do. There are actually a few specific herbs that have a distinct aroma that flies simply can’t stand. Better yet, those same herbs produce a scent that although offensive to flies, is usually more than appealing to humans. Best of all – many of those same herbs can be used to give incredible flavor to drinks and dishes too!
So what herbs are best for repelling flies? At the top of the list are Lavender, Basil, Rosemary and Mint. All of these herbs are highly offensive to flies. They all also happen to be quite easy to grow and wonderful for using in the kitchen.
To keep outdoor dining and seating areas free of flies, plant any or all of these four herbs in pots and use as a table arrangement. Not only will it keep flies far away, it also will fill the air with color, beauty and a fragrance that is hard to beat.
If you happen to have flowerbeds bordering your patio or entertaining spaces – by all means fill them up with these four fly repelling machines. They grow just as well if not better directly in flowerbeds!
Essential Oils Keep Flies Away – How to Keep Flies Away From Your Patio
Using the same method of repelling with a strong scent, essential oils are another effective deterrent for flies. They also have the same ability to fill the air with a pleasant scent, serving a wonderful dual purpose when used around outside gathering areas.
There are actually quite a few essential oils that work well against flies, with some of the best choices being pure oils from clove, citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, mint and rosemary.
Any of the above oils can be used in a diffuser to spread the scent anywhere you gather. The diffuser works by spreading the scent throughout the area, creating a natural repelling barrier against flies. Product Affiliate Link : Ceramic Cordless Diffusers for Essential Oil for Camping, Travel
Homemade Essential Oil Repellent Spray – How To Keep Flies Away From Your Patio
You can also take any of the above essential oils and make a highly effective repellent spray that can be used on surfaces to keep flies from landing. The recipe is easy to make with three simple ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of Witch Hazel
- 2 tablespoons of Water
- 50-80 drops of essential oils of your choosing
Mix the ingredients thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle. Then, simply use outside wherever necessary to spray surfaces and surrounding areas. Tables, chairs, railings are all excellent for spraying to keep flies from landing.
You can also saturate a small cloth or sponge with the mixture. Use an open container such as a decorative can or small dishwasher safe storage container and place the cloth or sponge inside. Then place the container around the area where you will be outdoors.
The water and witch hazel will slightly weaken whichever essential oil you choose, but it will also help make the repellent last longer. Most importantly, it will keep the flies away!
Using Fans – How to Keep Flies Away From Your Porch, Patio and Deck
Did you know by simply putting a fan in an outdoor space you can not only keep flies away, but mosquitoes, sweat bees and other annoying insects too?
It’s true! Flies, mosquitoes and other lightweight flying insects cannot move freely against the strong breeze of a fan. A small fan placed to cover an outside dining table or outside sitting area can keep it clear of flies as long as the fan is running. And in the process, keep you and your guests free from them!
Product Affiliate Link: Portable Misting Fan, 8-Inch Rechargeable Battery Operated Fan
Citronella Candles – How to Keep Flies Away From Your Porch, Patio & Deck
As mentioned earlier, citronella oils are a very popular deterrent when uses in diffusers and / or sprays. However, a super quick, convenient way to repel flies surrounding a specific area is with a simple citronella candle.
Although the oil works to deter them, the smoke from the candle is also a factor that flies (and mosquitos) find unpleasant.
Citronella candles are widely available in most local hardware or big box stores or on line. They make for a quick, easy and natural solution to avoid outdoor pests and other insects – especially when you are gathering at the last minute! Product Affiliate Link: Citronella Candle
Apple Cider Vinegar – How to Keep Flies Away From Your Porch, Patio & Deck
Apple cider vinegar has all kinds of uses around the home – and that includes helping to keep flies away! Flies do not like the pungent smell of apple cider vinegar and will avoid it at all costs.
To use outdoors, place 1/4 cup of apple cider in a small jar or open container. Next, add a few drops of natural soap and gently mix. Simply leave the jar open and place it nearby when using it outdoors.
Need to keep flies away from your kitchen? Use the same solution but be sure to cover the jar and poke small holes in the top. This helps to control the vinegar scent in a smaller space while still repelling flies indoors.
Additional Ways To Keep Flies Away From Your Porch, Patio And Deck
Lastly, while the tips mentioned above are vital to protect your outdoor space, you can also help keep flies away with a few simple but all-important tips:
- Keep Food and Drinks Protected: When enjoying a meal outside, be sure to have your foods covered to avoid attracting flies. Use aluminum foil or netted food coverings to keep food safe.
- Cover All Trash Cans: Make sure all garbage bins are tightly sealed and shut. The scent of garbage is very alluring to many insects. Especially if you store your bins under or near your deck, keep these closed and clean as often as possible.
- Clean up After Your Animals. Simply put, consistent clean up is a sure fire way to maintain a clean space. It also lowers the risk of attracting flies and other unwanted pests.
- Decorate with Clove and Cinnamon:
While clove and cinnamon may be more seasonally popular around the colder months, they can help keep flies away year round. Jars of cinnamon sticks with cloves make a beautiful decoration. They also help create a strong scent which flies don’t like in the least. See: How To Use Cinnamon In Gardens & Flowerbeds – Help Your Plants & Soil!
Here is to enjoying your outdoor spaces this year without the nuisance and health risks that flies can bring!
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