Step 1: Remove What Is Attracting Them

Flies need food, moisture and somewhere to breed. Eliminating the source is the only long-term solution — traps alone will not keep up with a breeding population.

  • Cover all food — do not leave fruit, meat or sweet drinks uncovered
  • Empty the kitchen bin every 1–2 days in summer and clean the inside
  • Clean pet bowls and do not leave pet food out
  • Clean up any pet waste in the garden immediately
  • Fix any dripping taps or standing water
  • Rinse all recycling before putting it in the bin

Step 2: Eliminate the Flies Already Inside

  1. 1

    Apple cider vinegar trap

    Fill a jar with 3cm of apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap. Cover with cling wrap poked with small holes. Flies enter and drown. Highly effective for fruit flies and small house flies. Replace every 2 days.

  2. 2

    Sticky fly strips

    Hang sticky fly paper in areas where flies congregate — near windows, above the bin, in the kitchen. Ugly but very effective at catching large numbers quickly.

  3. 3

    Electric fly killer

    UV light traps attract and electrocute flies. Best for persistent problems and in areas where you cannot use sprays (kitchens, near food). Position near a window but not in direct sunlight which competes with the UV.

  4. 4

    Fly spray

    For immediate knockdown, a standard household fly spray is fast and effective. Spray directly at flies or into corners and around window frames where they rest. Ventilate after use and keep away from food preparation surfaces.

Natural Repellents to Keep Flies Away

  • Basil: Flies strongly dislike basil. A pot of fresh basil on the kitchen windowsill is surprisingly effective.
  • Eucalyptus oil: Add a few drops to a diffuser or spray diluted on window frames.
  • Cloves in citrus: Stud a lemon or orange with whole cloves and leave on the kitchen counter — a traditional fly repellent that genuinely works.
  • Fly screens: The most effective long-term prevention. Fit screens to windows and doors you keep open in summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because there is still an attractant — uncovered food, a dirty bin or somewhere they are breeding outside. Flies can detect food odours from significant distances. Until you eliminate what is drawing them in, more will keep arriving. Focus on source removal first.
Yes — house flies can carry and transmit pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria picked up from waste. They regurgitate when feeding and excrete constantly, contaminating food surfaces. This is why covering food and controlling fly populations indoors matters beyond just annoyance.