Flies are a nuisance both indoors and on patios and terraces when the weather gets warmer. It's not pleasant to sit and relax at sunset or have a meal with friends only to have flies buzzing around your head or landing on your food. Luckily, there are effective ways to repel flies outdoors.
Being prepared at home for the arrival of mosquitoes, flies, and other insects with the warmer weather is important, but so is controlling them in outdoor spaces. Today we're sharing some practical tips and tricks to effectively repel flies and keep them away from your terrace or patio.
Avoid attracting them
One of the keys to enjoying fly-free spaces is keeping them clean. Flies are attracted to food and garbage , so you should make sure to keep your terrace or patio clean and free of food scraps. We know it's not a method to repel flies, but it's important to start at the beginning, don't you think?
Decorate with aromatic plants
Flies detest the scent of certain aromatic plants such as mint, thyme, rosemary, lavender, sage, and citronella. Therefore, placing these types of plants, either in the ground or in several pots, near the seating area and on the outdoor dining table can be very helpful.
It goes without saying that if you've prepared a large meal, flies will be equally attracted to it. However, under other circumstances, the scent of these plants will make flies less likely to approach.
Light citronella candles
Citronella candles are very popular on balconies and porches , and it's no coincidence. As we've already mentioned, flies hate the smell of citronella, so any product with this scent will deter them. Citronella candles are a great and convenient way to keep them away, both day and night, and they also create a pleasant and intimate atmosphere in these outdoor spaces.
Get a mosquito lamp
If you live where there are a lot of flies, you'll probably need to combine different methods to repel them. And mosquito lamps are undoubtedly one of the most effective methods against them, as they emit a special light that attracts flies and other flying insects, then kills them with an electric shock.
Previously, these lamps could be inconvenient to have outdoors since they needed to be plugged in to work, but now there are solar-powered versions . Yes, nowadays you can find solar-powered mosquito lamps designed for outdoor use.
Set fly traps
Fly traps are one of the most economical and easy-to-implement methods for repelling flies from outdoor spaces. There are also various options available on the market that can effectively reduce the number of flies. They typically attract flies with their scent and then trap them when they come into contact with the product.
Sticky paper traps are among the most popular, as they can be used both indoors and outdoors and simply require a place to hang them. Placed where flies most frequently come and go, each trap can catch more than 100 flies, providing a practical method for their extermination.
There are also reusable traps that effectively attract, trap, and kill flies outdoors repeatedly throughout the summer. These traps use bait refills formulated for fast and effective control. The formulas are generally non-toxic, making them ideal for gardens, patios, and garbage areas.
Protect the space with screens and mosquito nets
Another way to prevent flies from entering outdoor spaces, rather than repelling them, is to install screens or mosquito nets wherever possible, such as on balconies and porches. This will not only keep out flies but also other annoying insects.