How to get rid of flies from your garden

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The long awaited summer months are associated with fun, social gatherings outside in the garden. Barbecues and parties can be the best way to catch up with families and friends.

However such occasions can be quickly disturbed by the annoyance of buzzing flies!
This is particularly so for the persistent flies which bother us when we are eating. The most common of which the ‘Blue bottle fly’ is well known for its unhygienic behaviour.

These flies will forage openly on animal faeces, decomposing flesh and rotten food. Therefore it should not only be a desire to repel them but an absolute necessity. 
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Flies can carry bad bacteria around with them and contaminate any food they touch.

Bluebottles and other flies will lay small eggs onto food which can cause sickness if ingested. Furthermore garden flies in general can be persistent and annoying reducing our enjoyment when we are outside.

Consequently it is no surprise that many wish to get rid of flies from their garden! In this article we will explain how to get rid of flies outside naturally without contaminating the environment. 

What are flies? 

The word fly is a name given to and associated with most types of flying insect. Flies are small flying insects which opportunistically search for food and places to lay their eggs.

There are many different species of insect which come under the description of fly. Some of these include; Green fly, May fly, Fruit fly, Cluster fly, Horse fly, Crane fly and blue bottle.

However it is the flies which congregate around are homes which are the most aggravating to us. These are normally blue bottles and fruit flies.  
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What is the purpose of flies?

Flies have an extremely important role within our ecosystem. These insects are decomposers which feed on organic material sometimes disregarded by larger organisms.

Flies have the ability to be not affected by dangerous bacteria and viruses. This enables them to feed upon rotting fruit, decomposing flesh and animal faeces.

This is particularly the case with blue bottle flies whose larvae (maggots) can eat just about anything organic.

This makes them highly unfavoured by humans but essential recyclers in nature. 
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Why does my garden have so many flies?

Flies are naturally attracted to many things which are present around our homes and gardens.

Some of these include the aromas of food waste, alcohol, livestock and animal waste. Gardens have a wide diversity of plant species, habitats and features which many species of fly find beneficial.

​For example, ponds are beneficial for some flies to complete their life cycle like caddis flies. 
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Whereas compost heaps and fruit bushes provide a free buffet to hundreds of wild fly species.

Many gardens have adequate amounts of dense vegetation and shelter where flies can hide.  Unfortunately many gardens have become inhospitable to fly predators such as reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and birds.

​This has given flies the perfect safe places to live, feed and raise their young. 

20 Ways to get rid of flies out of my garden

1. Clean barbecue grills 

Very often barbecue grills can be left with burnt residues of meat and fats. This creates a continuous aroma for flies to sense and be attracted to. Make sure you clean all cooking surfaces and grills thoroughly after use. 

2. Keep bins clean

Even bins that seal shut can become whiffy over time. It is these subtle smells that get flies excited. Bins are full of all the chemical aromas flies naturally find appealing; alcohol, meats, vegetables and rotten fruit. Make sure your bins get a good clean regularly, especially during the summer. 
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3. Cover drains

Drains can become a mixing pot for all sorts of waste materials. Most kitchen particles get washed down the plug which ends up splashing around inside drains.

This can create the perfect aroma of damp and decomposing dish water. It is good to have adequate access to drains for cleaning however they should be covered over. 

You can purchase special drain covers which completely cover the whole drain area. 

4. Clean gutters

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Gutters over time can become clogged with leaves and retain standing water. The smell of damp vegetation can attract flies to your property especially in warmer months. Try to make sure gutters are cleaned out every few years. 

5. Clean up pet poop

​One of the necessary evils of having a fury friend in our life is the little gifts they leave us. Dog and cat poop in particular can attract flies in their droves. Try to collect poop as soon as you see it and dispose of it safely. 
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6. Clean all garden surfaces

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Very often garden surfaces can become saturated with spilt food, drink and dirt. This can create breeding grounds for bacteria and microbes.

​Hence it is a good idea to deep clean garden surfaces every few years. This can involve a good pressure clean and a scrub with nice smelling soap and disinfectant. 

7. Use odour eliminators

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Once you have given your bins, drains and gutters a clean it is a good idea to make them smell good. This can be done by spraying them with an odour eliminator.

This can mask bad smells and stop flies from stopping by your garden. 

8. Keep pet and livestock enclosures clean

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Rabbit runs and chicken enclosures if not cleaned out often can start to attract files. Make sure any livestock or outdoor pets are kept clean and mucked out regularly.   
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9. Use sealed composters

​Traditional composting can rely on simply making a mound of organic waste. Although this is an effective method for composting it can release the smells of degrading material into the air.

This can attract flies to your property. Try to compost inside sealed composters like compost tumblers. These will actually compost faster and not attract flies. 

10. Keep your garden well maintained

​All flies prefer environments that provide them with plenty of places to hide. Overgrown borders and garden lawns create safe sanctuary for many species of flies. If you want to reduce fly numbers keep the landscapes around your property well maintained. 

11. Use food tents

​Normally flies are at their most irritating when we are serving food outside. Even if you have taken stringent precautions to keep them away you still may get some.

​Therefore a great little tool is to use isfood tents, these are small, fold out domes, covered in mesh. They can allow you to serve open food without the risk of flies getting inside. 
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12. Utilise mosquito nets

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Sometimes thought of as an extreme measure for reducing fly numbers mosquito nets are very effective.  Although they can be awkward to move around outside they are perfect for creating sealed areas around food.

​These can be attached to pergolas and gazebos around food serving areas. 

13. Stick traps

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A good way to trap flies around your seating areas is to install sticky traps around the space. When flies land on these they instantly become stuck to the trap. When the trap is full of immobilised flies they can then be disposed of. 

14. Bug lamps

Bug lamps are an electrical lamp which consists of a central illuminated coil. When flies fly towards the light and through the grate they are struck by an electrical current killing them instantly. This can be a great way to reduce flies around a patio or dining space. 
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15. Bug rackets 

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Bug rackets look very much like miniature tennis rackets, these also dispatch flies with an electrical current. The round frame encases a wire mesh which contains an electrical current.

These can be used to strike mosquitoes in mid air while they are airborne. 
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16. Grow aromatic plants

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Like many other insects flies do not like aromatic plants which have evolved natural insecticides.

Some of the best examples include common herbs such as Mint, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Basil, Lemon balm, Rosemary and Thyme. Plant as many of these herbs around places you wish to deter flies. 
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17. Create a natural repellent spray

A great way to deter flies at the press of a button is to create your very own repellent spray. Flies particularly hate the smell of lemon balm and other essential oils.

You can brew such herbs in boiling water to create an infusion. This sieved water can then be added to vinegar and sprayed to affected areas. 

18. Grow fly eating plants

There are some species of plants which will actually eat flies whole. These can be a complete novelty in the garden and perfect to have potted around dining areas. Plants like the Venus fly trap are good example of fly eating plants. 
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19. Create a wine trap

Flies are attracted to the smell of alcohol for a good reason. In nature rotting fruit will ferment on the ground and gradually turn to alcohol.

Therefore left over red wine can be used as a homemade wine trap. Simply cut the spout off of a plastic bottle and insert it upside down back into the bottle.

Fill this with red wine and watch your flies drown in joy!

20. Encourage birds

One of the most effective natural predators of flies is birds. These airborne predators are capable of consuming hundreds of flies on the wing.

​However in recent decades habitat destruction has led to declining populations of garden birds. Encourage birds to visit your garden as often as possible by installing bird baths and nesting boxes. 
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Landscape your garden to deter flies

​Most of the time the level at which your garden is affected by flies will depend on the environment. Some gardens and landscape types are more favourable to flies than others.

The best way to discourage flies from your garden long term is to install less desirable landscaping. Therefore we have listed below the types of garden landscaping flies both love and hate.  
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Garden landscaping flies love
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• Overgrown gardens
• Dense flower borders
• Waterlogged gardens
• Fruit trees
• Decking
• Standing water
• Open compost heaps

Garden landscaping flies hate
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• Sealed paving
  
• Sealed masonry work
  
• Frequently maintained gardens
  
• Artificial lawns
  
• Modern and contemporary gardens
  
• Gravels
  
• Aromatic plants

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