As we approach fly season, the flies will be out in droves. If you live in a neighborhood like I do that is full of STVR’s your fly problem will most likely worsen as tons of food and drink is thrown away every week in trash cans.. all which breed flies. The following is a list of eco friendly alternative options to combat flies this summer. I am going to be hanging the penny and water ziplock bags on every fence over the next couple of weeks. The rental behind me are trash-hounds. You would think that they had never eaten by the amount of trash they produce.
1.) Water and Penny: According to all sources, this works. Fill a ziplock bag with water and 4-6 pennies and hang in the area where where are flies. There would bags of these hanging over every trash can in Mission Beach. Barring that use in front of windows and open door
2.) The Old Soda Bottle Trap: Take a large soda bottle and cut the top off about 1/3 of the way down. Make a sugar water or any sweet liquid at the bottom 1/3 of of the bottle. Turn the top upside down, so the flies can get in but not get out .
3.) Vinegar and Dish Soap Fruit Fly Trap: Pour cider vinegar at the bottom of a jar. Add dish soap. Cover jar with plastic wrap, poke a few holes and voila. More: Re-Nest and on Shelterrific
4.) Place 20-25 cloves in lemon halves. Flies do not like cloves. This should also help with mosquitos.
5.) Natural Oils as Fly Repellant (Flys Only) . ½ -1 cup of Lavender Oil (Most Effective) or Citronella oil, Eucalyptus oil, Pennyroyal oil, Peppermint oil or Lemongrass oil.
6.) Put several drops of Eucalyptus oil on ribbon or cloth strips and hang them near doors or windows. You could probably use any of the other essential oils.
7.) These Garden Plants help to repel flys
- Basil
- Bay Leaf
- Lavender
- Nasturtiums
- Mint
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