Here’s a list of Essential Oils to Get Rid of Flies that you seek to know to repel those pesky flies without using chemical products.
Are you tired of constantly swatting away pesky flies in your home or backyard? Traditional methods for eliminating flies, such as fly swatters and chemical sprays, are messy, time-consuming, and harmful to the environment. Fortunately, there’s a natural and effective solution to this problem – Essential oils! In this article, we’ll explore the top Essential Oils to Get Rid of Flies and how to use them. Say goodbye to flies and hello to a fly-free environment!
What Are Flies?
Flies are insects that belong to the order Dipteran which means “two wings.” They are characterized by their two wings and a pair of halteres, which help with balancing during flight. There are over 110,000 described species of flies, including common houseflies, fruit flies, and mosquitoes. Flies play important roles in the ecosystem as pollinators, decomposers, and prey for other creatures. However, some species spread diseases and damage crops.
Essential Oils to Get Rid of Flies
Essential oils have numerous health benefits, but they’re astounding fly repellent too. Here’re some essential oils to get rid of flies in the most natural way possible!
1. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass oil is extracted from the aerial parts of the lemongrass plant. It has active components like geranial, neral, geraniol, and citronellol, making it an effective house and fruit fly deterrent. Furthermore, lemongrass oil has insecticidal, antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Remedy
First, add 1/2 cup of lukewarm water into a mixing bowl and 20-25 drops of lemongrass essential oil. Now pour this liquid mixture into an empty spray bottle and spritz this solution around your doors, windows, counters, refrigerator, walls, and cabinets.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is a natural fly repellent, thanks to its potent menthol smell. Its two monoterpenoids: menthol and menthone, are the sole reason behind its strong and prolonged action against fruit flies.
Remedy
To get rid of flies, take a bowl and add 5-10 drops of mint to it. Now soak some cotton balls or cotton pads in the oil and place them where flies tend to accumulate.
There’s another way to use this remedy by placing a few drops of oil on pieces of fabric and hanging them around the house to get rid of flies immediately.
3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus plant by steam distillation method. It comprises cineole, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, 4-terpineol, and p-cymene-like major components responsible for its toxicity to ‘Horn fly.’
Remedy
Add two teaspoons of eucalyptus essential oil, half a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent, and two cups of water in a mixing bowl. Pour this liquid solution into an empty spray bottle and shake it well. Now sprinkle it all over your house generously.
4. Catnip Essential Oil
Catnip essential oil has an active ingredient named ‘Nepetalactone,’ making it a perfect stable fly deterrent. It’s one of the best essential oils to get rid of flies.
Remedy
Mix 15 drops of catnip oil with a cup of water and fill them into a spray bottle. Shake it well and spray it all over your house. To use it outdoors, soak some pieces of clothes with catnip oil and place them around your yard or patios to get rid of flies.
5. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is the essence of the stems and leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree. It has repellent and insecticidal effects against bush flies. Furthermore, tea tree oil has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, as well.
Remedy
Mix 25 drops of tea tree essential oil with one cup of water and pour them into an empty spray bottle. Spritz it around the furniture, under the basin/sink, and on house corners.
6. Lavender Essential Oil
The essence of the lavender plant is not only an excellent housefly repeller, but it works against mosquitoes too. It’s one of the amazing essential oils to get rid of flies.
Remedy
To make this solution, combine 20 drops of lavender oil, five drops of tea tree oil, and one cup of distilled water in a mixing bowl. Next, transfer this mix into a spray bottle and spatter it all over your windows and doorways as needed.
7. Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella oil has citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol-like terpenoids, that’s the main component behind its strong repulsive action against flies.
Remedy
Take a shot glass, and fill it with 3/4 of water and 5-6 drops of citronella essential oil. Put it near your window, ceilings, and patios to ward off pesky flies.
8. Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil is obtained from the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens. It keeps the flies at bay with its insect-repelling properties.
Remedy
Add one cup of grain alcohol, two teaspoons of geranium oil, 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, and 30-40 drops of lavender oil in a bowl. Next, pour this solution into a spray bottle and shake it well before applying.
9. Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil is an excellent home remedy to eliminate horn flies. Furthermore, it also has many health benefits.
Remedy
Add 20 drops of basil essential oil with one cup of water in a mixing bowl and mix them well. Now discharge it into an empty spray bottle and sprinkle it on the flies’ infested space.
10. Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon oil is an excellent fly-repellent alternative against chemical-filled commercial deterrents. It’s one of the most effective essential oils to get rid of flies.
Remedy
Take strips of cotton ribbons and pour 1-2 drops of cinnamon essential oil at the bottom of each strip. Now hang these strips in front of windows or openings to deter the pesky flies.
11. Clove Essential Oil
Unlike other essential oils, clove oil attracts pesky fruit flies and kills them on contact. While the dried cloves can be used as a perfect insect repellent. It’s one of the excellent essential oils to get rid of flies.
Remedy
Mix 30 drops of clove essential oil with 250ml of water in a bowl. Now pour it into a spray bottle and spray it around your baseboards, under cabinets, appliances, along with countertops.
12. Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is the essence of the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree. It contains an active ingredient named PMD (p-menthane 3,8-diol) that works as an excellent insect deterrent.
Remedy
Add 4 tbsp of witch hazel, 30-40 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil, and four tablespoons of water in a mixing bowl, and pour it into a spray bottle. Now spritz it in the desired area.
13. Spearmint Essential Oil
Like peppermint oil, spearmint essential oil also keeps the flies at bay. Spearmint has low concentrations of menthol, which makes it a safer choice to use around children. This is one of the fantastic essential oils to get rid of flies.
Remedy
Grab a bowl and add a few drops of spearmint essential oil. Now dab a cotton ball or ribbon strips into it and put them on the windows openings, around the patios, or corners of your house.
14. Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Sweet orange essential oil is extracted from the fruits of the Citrus sinensis plant. It has a high level of limonene, which’s toxic, especially for the flies species named ‘Musca domestica.’
Remedy
Take an empty spray bottle, add 3/4 of distilled water, 15-20 drops of sweet orange essential oil, 8-10 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 3-5 drops of lavender oil. Shake it well before spraying it all over your house, porch, or garden.
15. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is a great remedy to ward off fruit flies. Its alpha-pinene, eucalyptol, and camphene monoterpenes are responsible for its repellent activities. It’s one of the best essential oils to get rid of flies.
Remedy
Soak some cotton balls in 10-15 drops of rosemary essential oil. Put them around your house, outdoor patio, or lawn to deter harmful flies.
16. Patchouli Essential Oil
Compared to the other essential oils, patchouli essential oil has insecticidal properties, making it one of the most effective insect repellents.
Remedy
Add 1-2 drops of patchouli essential oil onto a braid made of cotton or a ribbon strip. Now wear the braid to get rid of flies.
17. Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is derived from the fresh or partly dried flowering tops and leaves of the thyme plant (Thymus vulgaris L.). It’s a highly effective insecticide against houseflies, including fruit flies, because of its high adulticidal and pupicidal activity.
Remedy
Combine 10-20 drops of thyme essential oil and 1/2 cup of water in a bowl. After that, pour this mixture into an empty spray bottle. Spray it all over the flies-infested area.
18. Vetiver Essential Oil
Extracted from the vetiver plant, the vetiver essential oil is another potent product for deterring notorious house flies. It’s one of the excellent essential oils to get rid of flies.
Remedy
Fill a tiny bowl with 3/4 of water and 8-10 drops of vetiver essential oil. Strategically place the bowl near the window, ceilings, porch, or patios to tackle house flies.
Essential Oils to Get Rid of Flies: Precautions
- Dilute the above essential oils with a carrier oil before topical usage.
- Keep the bottles of essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
- As essential oil dissipates at room temperature, refill the cotton balls, shot glass, or cotton pads with the oil twice a day.
Flies Prevention Tips
Here are some tips to help prevent flies:
- Flies are attracted to food scraps and other organic matter. That’s why always clean dirty dishes and remove food items from the countertop.
- Dispose of trash cans regularly and close them tightly after usage.
- Repair any cracks or gaps around your doors and windows to prevent flies from entering your home.
- Install screens on your windows and doors to prevent their invasion. Don’t forget to repair tears, holes, or gaps in the screens.
- Flies are attracted to pet waste and food. Keep your pets and their bed clean. Wash their food bowls on a daily basis.
- When eating outside, cover your food and drinks adequately.
- Flies breed in animal waste, compost, and other organic matter in your yard. That’s why remove all such things from outdoors.
- Eliminate standing water if possible.
When to Hire a Professional?
Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to hire a professional to fight flies:
- Large Infestation: If you notice a large number of flies in your home, it’s a sign of a serious infestation that requires professional attention.
- Health Risks: Flies carries bacteria that pose a significant health risk to humans and animals. If you have kids, elderly adults, or someone with a weakened immune system, avoid the home remedies and consult a professional.
- Ineffective DIY Methods: If you’ve tried DIY methods to eliminate flies but haven’t had any success, it’s time to bring in a professional.
Essential Oils to Get Rid of Flies: Conclusion
Essential oils are an effective and natural way to get rid of flies in your home or business. These oils contain natural compounds that repel and deter flies, making them a safe and non-toxic alternative to chemical pesticides. However, essential oils are best for mild to moderate infestations. For severe ones, contacting a professional is recommended.
2 remedies using cotton balls do not have a recipe. Dilution??? what??? straight????? Both say “mixture” but no mixture details.
this idea will blow your socks off and it will make you realize the world sure has entered the wacko age.
A few years ago I have gone to a more natural hair oil I found MCT coconut oil does a great job, the Medium Chain Triglyceride coconut oil, does not go solid when it gets cold, add in a few essential oils from above like rosemary for one they say is a advantage for memory and made sure flys do not come near you. But you might prefer organic essential oils