Flies can be extremely annoying when they constantly land on you and buzz around your head. While there’s no foolproof way to prevent flies from landing on you, there are some helpful tips and tricks you can use to deter flies and minimize how often they land on your body.
Why Do Flies Land on People?
Flies are attracted to people for a few different reasons:
- Sweat – Flies love the salt in human sweat, so they are drawn to any exposed skin that is moist or sweaty.
- Body Heat – The warmth emitted from your body heat acts as a magnet for cold blooded flies.
- Smell – Flies use their sense of smell to locate food sources. The natural odors emitted from your skin, breath, perfumes, etc. can attract flies.
- Motion – Any movement or motion made by your body catches the attention of flies and makes them more likely to land on you.
- Carbon Dioxide – When you exhale, you release carbon dioxide which flies can detect from far away. Breathing heavily while exercising heavily attracts more flies.
Understanding why flies are attracted to humans in the first place can help you target the right deterrent methods.
1. Stay Clean and Dry
Flies are attracted to sweat, body odor, and other smells emitted from your body. One of the easiest ways to become less attractive to flies is to stay clean and dry:
- Shower regularly using soap – Getting rid of dirt, sweat, and body odor deters flies.
- Apply deodorant – Blocking underarm body odors makes you less appealing.
- Change clothes regularly – Put on clean, dry clothes to avoid smells.
- Avoid heavily scented items – Perfumes, colognes, and scented body lotions will attract flies.
Keeping good personal hygiene and wearing clean clothes minimizes the odors that attract flies to land on your body.
2. Wear Light Colored Clothing
Flies are visually attracted to dark colors, especially black. Wearing lighter colored clothing can deter flies from landing on you:
- Wear white, tan, light grey, or other pale colored clothing when outside.
- Avoid wearing dark colors like black, brown, and dark blue.
Light reflective fabrics like lightweight linens are also less attractive to flies. Stay away from heavy dark materials that absorb heat and sweat.
3. Use Fans
Flies struggle to land on moving surfaces. Take advantage of this by using electric fans both indoors and outdoors:
- Put a window fan in the window to blow air outward and keep flies from coming inside.
- Sit in front of a rotating fan at picnics or barbecues.
- Use a ceiling fan on high speed to prevent flies from landing on you inside.
- Place standing fans near entryways to blow flies away as you walk in or out.
The gentle breeze from fans blows flies away and disturbs the air around you enough to deter them from landing.
4. Apply Insect Repellent
Applying insect repellent specifically formulated to repel flies can prevent them from landing on treated skin. Look for these active ingredients:
| Active Ingredient | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| DEET | Gold standard, works for 3-6 hours |
| Picaridin | Long lasting, also repels mosquitoes |
| IR3535 | Plant-based, safe for kids |
| Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus | Natural repellent made from eucalyptus |
Apply repellent liberally on any exposed skin. Reapply every few hours as needed.
5. Use Essential Oils
Some essential oils have natural insect repelling properties. Dab a few drops on your pulse points to repel flies:
- Lavender oil
- Peppermint oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Citronella oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Cedarwood oil
Reapply oils every 2-4 hours for continued protection. Do not apply undiluted oils directly to skin.
6. Use Fly Paper
Sticky fly paper traps attract and catch flies before they land on you. Hang strips of fly paper in problem areas:
- Near food prep areas in kitchens
- Around trash cans
- On patios and porches
- In barns, stables, and sheds
- Above pet food and water bowls
Replace fly paper strips once they become full of trapped insects. Fly zappers can also be installed indoors or outdoors to electrocute flies.
7. Use Fans and Fly Swatters
Take a more active approach to swat flies away before they have a chance to land on you:
- Use a hand held electric fan to blow flies away from your personal space.
- Wave a fly swatter to discourage flies from coming near you.
- Kill any flies that have already landed on you with the fly swatter.
- Have a second person fan or swat flies away from you at gatherings.
Be vigilant about fanning and swatting flies whenever you notice them approaching. This trains flies to avoid you.
8. Deploy Fly Traps
There are many types of fly traps you can deploy to attract and catch flies, preventing them from landing elsewhere:
- Bowl traps – Bowl or cup with apple cider vinegar, water, and dish soap to drown flies.
- Bottle traps – Plastic bottle with sweet liquid bait hangs from eaves to lure flies.
- Fly strips – Long sticky ribbons trap flies on contact.
- Bait stations – Container with fly bait attracts flies so they drown or die.
Use fly traps anywhere flies tend to congregate to diminish their numbers over time.
9. Use Fly Deterrent Plants
Certain plants naturally repel flies thanks to their strong aromas. Grow these plants around your patio, deck, or outdoor gathering areas:
| Plant | Description |
|---|---|
| Marigolds | Pretty flowers with scent flies hate |
| Mint | Strong minty aroma repels many insects |
| Rosemary | Flies avoid this herb’s pine-like fragrance |
| Lavender | Flies and mosquitoes dislike lavender oil |
| Basil | Powerful scent from basil drives flies away |
Crush or rub leaves of these plants to release more oils and maximize the anti-fly effects.
10. Use a Fly Swatter Fan
A fly swatter fan combines a fan with a built-in fly swatter for the ultimate fly deterrent:
- Battery powered handheld device with fan and swatter.
- Blows flies away from you with gusts of air.
- Swat and kill any flies that get near you.
- Fun and satisfying way to keep flies off you.
Actively swatting at flies with a fan swatter discourages them from trying to land on you again.
11. Install Fly Screens
Installing physical fly screens in windows and doors prevents flies from entering your home and landing on you indoors:
- Window screens keep flies out while letting air in.
- Door screens and screen doors protect entryways.
- Screen tents and canopies create outdoor barrier.
- Mesh screen covers for food outdoors.
Fly screens are very effective at stopping flies in their tracks before they reach you inside.
12. Use a Bug Zapper
Electric fly zappers provide ongoing fly control by electrocuting flies in midair:
- UV light attracts flies to an electrified grid.
- Zappers mounted indoors or outdoors.
- Most effective used at night when flies are active.
- Models rated for wet areas can be used in rain.
The sizzling sounds of flies being zapped eliminates them before they have a chance to bother you.
13. Stay Away From Trash Cans
Flies congregate anywhere there is food waste and odors they find appetizing. Make sure to:
- Take trash out frequently to avoid smells.
- Use trash cans with tight fitting lids.
- Line cans with plastic bags to reduce odors.
- Place outdoor cans away from gathering areas.
- Clean cans regularly to prevent residue buildup.
Keeping trash sealed and moving cans away from you discourages flies from entering your space.
14. Use Granular Fly Bait
Sprinkle fly bait granules where flies frequent to poison them when ingested:
- Apply around refuse piles and manure.
- Sprinkle along fence lines and animal shelters.
- Use outdoors only away from food areas.
- Reapply after rain or watering.
- Dispose of dead fly bodies promptly.
The bait kills flies before they have a chance to bother you. Be sure to use safely away from people and pets.
15. Apply Fly Sprays
Aerosol fly sprays contain insecticides that kill flies on contact:
- Spray onto surfaces where flies rest and congregate.
- Aim for walls, window frames, light fixtures, etc.
- Look for ready-to-use, no-mix formulas.
- Avoid spraying plants, pets, humans, or food surfaces.
Knocking down resting flies reduces the number that will attempt to land on your body.
Conclusion
Flies can be extremely bothersome when they persistently land on you, but there are many techniques you can use to prevent this. Staying clean, deploying fly traps, using repellents, keeping flies away with fans and swatters, and managing waste and odor sources are all effective ways to stop flies from landing on you. Combining several fly deterrent methods tailored to your situation will help you minimize contact with flies.
