How to get rid of flies on patio?

Having a patio is a great addition to your home because it allows you to extend your living space outdoors where you can enjoy fresh air, natural light, and a more relaxing environment.

A patio is also a great area for entertaining during the summer where you can host barbecue dinners with family and friends. But if you’re one of many homeowners who can’t use your patio because of many annoying flies, you could be missing the huge potential of having this extra space in your house.

Now the question is, how can you get rid of flies on the patio? There are actually several ways to do that. You can use a candle, do the natural swatting, create a fly trap or use different solutions that keep flies away.

Here, we’ll talk about the different methods that you can use to finally say goodbye to those annoying flies for good.

Getting rid of flies the natural way

If you don’t want to spend extra for a fly deterrent, you can actually make your own with ingredients that are already available in your home.

Here are some ideas:

Make your own flytrap

Electric flytraps can be expensive, but you can create your own flytraps by dissolving ¼ cup of sugar in 1 cup of water and putting this mixture in a jar.

Now, form a paper into the shape of a cone. It has to be long enough to sit on top of the jar with the point sitting just above where your mixture is. Cut the tip off of the piece of paper and tape the cone to the inside of the jar. Leave the jar open on your patio to trap curious flies flying around.

Use a candle

You probably noticed candles lit around public outdoor dining areas. That’s not only for ambiance, but also to keep flies away from the tables.

You can do the same for your patio by lighting candles that contain citronella, which is a highly aromatic oil that has a natural insect repelling quality for both flies and mosquitoes. This technique is particularly useful if you have guests over because it can also add a nice smell to your space.

Of course, it would help to clean your patio regularly so there is no exposed trash, food debris, and other waste lying around that could attract flies.

If you are willing to spend money on artificial fly deterrents, you can always buy fly strips, electric flytraps, or fly swatters.

Getting rid of fruit flies

Fruit flies may not be the worst pests on your patio, but they can still make you and your guests feel uncomfortable. Here are some ways to keep them away:

  • Always wash your fresh produce. Fruit flies are attracted to the smell of fresh fruits and other produce, so it’s very important to wash all of these products before displaying or storing them outside on your patio or inside your house. You can rinse them with just water or use a water and vinegar solution.
  • Dispose rotten fruits properly. Again, fruit flies only visit your house when you have something they want. So, if you don’t want them swarming your patio, make sure that you get rid of crumbs and rotten fruit properly. One of the best ways to dispose of rotten fruit is to put it in vegetable bags or shopping bags and tie them up before you throw them away. Clean your patio regularly and you won’t have to deal with fruit flying around.

Getting rid of flies through scents and aromas

Flies are very sensitive to different scents and aromas, so you can use some of these ideas to make sure that you get rid of flies from your patio or any area around your house as naturally as possible:

Vinegar

Vinegar is used as a natural flytrap because it has properties that attract flies into the trap where they can be easily killed. Apple cider vinegar is commonly used because of its strong scent.

Citronella

We already talked about putting citronella infused candles on your patio to keep flies away, but you can also use incense and torches to keep your patio smelling great while getting rid of those pesky flies that can easily ruin the ambiance of the space.

Essential oils

Essential oils are very popular these days because of their many health benefits. But you can also use your favorite essential oils to get rid of flies on your patio.

Create a mixture of two cups of water and 24 drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree and lemongrass have the best bug repellent qualities and they are also very aromatic.

You can then put this mixture in a spritz bottle and use it on your patio after cleaning it thoroughly with water. Aside from leaving your patio smelling good, it can also act as antiseptic for your outdoor space.

Herbs

Herbs make a great addition to your patio for their aromatic qualities, but they can also help you get rid of those pesky flies in your space.

You can plant them in pots and place them on your window bars or line them up around your patio floor to make your outdoor space look more vibrant. You can also put them in glass bottles and hang them for a more relaxing vibe.

Citronella grass, basil leaves, rosemary, lavender and mint are the best choices of herbs for your patio because they are not only very fragrant, but also very good at deterring flies and other pests around your house.

Flies shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the benefits of having a patio in your home. With these tips, you can finally get rid of those pesky flies and enjoy your outdoor space with family and friends. Whether you choose to use vinegar, candles, herbs, or create your own flytrap, you can get rid of them easily and naturally.