How To Get Rid Of Flies In South Africa
What is a Fly?
Fly, (order Diptera), any of a large number of insects characterized by the use of only one pair of wings for flight and the reduction of the second pair of wings to knobs (called halteres) used for balance. The term fly is commonly used for almost any small flying insect.
Flies are a common unwanted house guest: Not merely annoying to deal with, but also capable of spreading diseases and infections, making them less than desirable company. Flies in the home can be frustrating, especially in the kitchen where you want everything particularly clean, hygienic, and neat. These pests often lay eggs on meat and other food items and hover over kitchen surfaces.
How To Get Rid Of Flies In South Africa
1. Prevent them from coming into your home
The best way to prevent flies from being drawn into the house is to keep your home and kitchen clean. Make sure surfaces and countertops are clean. Products like Handy Andy are great for cleaning surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. Wash dishes immediately after you use them and don’t leave food out on the countertop for long periods of time, always clean the kitchen thoroughly after preparing food.
Bin flies can be especially persistent and very annoying – food waste is a feast for them so make sure to left-over food waste and prevent it from piling up causing a smell. Remove all rubbish promptly and remember to wash your bin regularly with a good quality disinfectant bleach.
2. Use vinegar
Flies are repelled by vinegar, and the smell of boiling vinegar is an especially effective deterrent. Pour some malt vinegar in a pot or pan, let it boil, and soon the flies will desperately try to escape. Make sure to keep a close eye on the pot as you don’t want the vinegar to burn and be careful not to spill or be splash it on yourself.
3. Use fly traps
You can make your own homemade fly trap with a jar, some sugary water, and a paper cone. The sugar attracts the flies, and the jar and cone make it impossible for the flies to escape once they are trapped. You can also purchase flypapers coated with a fragrance that attracts flies. The flies will then get caught in the sticky paper, allowing you to remove them easily.
4. Use plants
Flies dislike certain plants. Mint, for example, is a fly-repelling herb, and also very handy to have around the house to cook with. A pot of mint may be worth purchasing if you struggle with flies, place it next to a door or window or on the kitchen worktop you tend to use when cutting up vegetables and handling meat.
5. How to deal with an infestation of flies
Unfortunately, sometimes we may have to deal with major fly infestations. If you are facing an infestation, the first thing you need to do is clean your house thoroughly with a disinfectant like bleach (such as Domestos). Vacuum and wash all surfaces with a disinfectant spray or wipes to get rid of any fly eggs, and make sure to clean behind furniture and everywhere that might not be easily accessible at first – that’s where flies like to hide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the fastest way to get rid of flies?
Vinegar and dish soap fly trap
- Use a shallow dish bowl and fill it with an inch of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of sugar.
- Next, add some fruit-scented dish soap.
- You can leave the dish uncovered or tightly covered with plastic wrap. Make sure to poke a few holes in it to attract the flies.
What will keep flies away?
Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass essential oils – Not only will spraying these oils around the house create a beautiful aroma, but they will also deter those pesky flies too. Apple cider vinegar – Flies love the smell of apples and vinegar.
Why are there so many flies in South Africa?
A lot of South Africans have taken to social media to complain about the increased number of flies this summer. Some believe this is due to global warming, a warm, dry winter or late rains that the country experienced in 2020.
What can I spray for house flies?
Homemade fly killer spray: A mixture of half a cup of water, half a cup of isopropyl alcohol, and a teaspoon of dish liquid can be filled in a spray bottle. This mixture can be sprayed on the flies directly to kill them.
Do vinegar keep flies away?
Flies can be easily repelled with white vinegar, so much so that even the smell of boiling vinegar can be an easy-to-make DIY fly repellent on its own. Pour some cider vinegar into a pot or jar to start making your fly repellent.
What causes a lot of flies in the house?
House flies are one of the most common insects on the planet. They breed and feed in filth, including garbage, feces, and rotting or spoiled food. Poor sanitation and ripped screens and unsealed cracks in windows and doors can lead to house fly infestations.
Why does my house have so many flies?
All flies are attracted to moist, rotting organic material where they can lay their eggs. This attraction, unfortunately, brings them in contact with humans and our pets. Spoiled and discarded food, garbage, pet feces, etc., are all very appealing to Houseflies (and other flies and indoor pests)
How do you make homemade fly killer?
Homemade Fly Trap with a Soda Bottle & Vinegar
- 1 clean 2-liter soda bottle.
- 2 cups of water.
- 1/2 cup of vinegar.
- Knife or scissors.
Why is it so many flies this year?
One of the reasons is the cooler air can get rid of unwanted insects, like mosquitoes and flies but one species remain active in the fall and sometimes into the winter. The shorter days and nights bring longer periods of cooler temperatures. This causes many insects to start to look for a warm spot to stay.
This viral Facebook post reveals that a strong-smelling bar of soap, like Irish Spring, will keep bugs away with its strong scent. Irish Spring is known for its classic “invigorating” scent, and there are plenty of success stories on the internet from people using it to banish flies.
How do you find the source of fly infestation?
Learn how to spot the signs of an infestation by checking the areas that houseflies love: light and water. Look for clusters of houseflies in areas such as light fixtures, gutters, mulch piles and garbage bins. They also like food sources, especially ones that are decomposing