Flies can be a major nuisance, especially during the warmer months. Their incessant buzzing and landing on food can quickly become aggravating. While flies play an important role in nature, such as decomposing organic matter, you likely want to minimize their presence when enjoying time outdoors or having meals. Fortunately, there are several smells that can help repel flies and keep them at bay.
Why Do Flies Come Around?
Before exploring solutions for keeping flies away, it helps to understand why they are attracted to certain areas in the first place. Flies seek out sources of food and places to lay their eggs. They are especially drawn to ripened or rotting fruits and vegetables, garbage cans, compost piles, and animal waste. Flies have an excellent sense of smell and can detect odors from up to 2 miles away. Once a potential food source is identified, flies zero in on the location.
Certain conditions also make an area more enticing for flies. They prefer warmer temperatures and look for moist, humid environments. Places that are dark with little air circulation are ideal spots for flies to congregate. They can enter homes and buildings through small cracks and crevices. Screens on windows and doors may not be enough to keep flies out if there are gaps.
Female flies need to lay their eggs in moist, organic material. Compost piles, grass clippings, pet food, and trash receptacles make prime egg-laying sites. Fly eggs hatch into larvae within 24 hours. The larvae continue developing in the organic matter for 4-7 days before transforming into mature flies. A female fly can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime, allowing large populations to develop rapidly.
How Smells Repel Flies
Certain smells deter flies in a few key ways:
- Masking desirable scents – Flies track down locations by scent. Strong odors can mask more inviting smells like food. This makes it harder for flies to hone in on a location.
- Interference with octopamine receptors – Many plant-derived aromas interact with special receptors called octopamine receptors in insects. Octopamine is important for functions like memory and movement in flies. When octopamine receptors are stimulated, it confuses flies and disrupts their normal behavior.
- Toxic or irritating compounds – Some smells contain compounds that are either toxic to flies or irritate their sensory organs. This motivates flies to avoid areas where these odors are present.
Repellent smells work best when the air is infused with the aroma. Placing fragrant plants, herbs, or diffusers around an outdoor seating area creates a zone flies tend to avoid. Oils and sachets can also help repel flies when placed strategically indoors.
Top Smells to Repel Flies
Many natural scents are known to deter flies. Certain herbs, essential oils, and aromatics are especially useful for keeping flies at bay. Popular options include:
Basil
Both Greek and sweet basil contain compounds like linalool, eugenol, and citronellol that are unappealing to flies. Growing pots of basil near doorways or on patios helps discourage flies from entering and lingering. Crushing fresh basil leaves frequently releases more of the essential oils.
Bay leaves
Bay leaves have a strong, pungent aroma that flies dislike. Keep a bowl of dried bay leaves on counters, place them around doorways, or scatter them outside. The key is to refresh bay leaves regularly since they lose potency over time.
Cinnamon
The distinct, spicy scent of cinnamon drives away flies. Simmering cinnamon sticks on the stove infuses the air. Cinnamon essential oil can also be diluted in water and sprayed around areas where flies often gather.
Citronella
Found in some plants like lemongrass, citronella oil is commonly used in candles and sprays to keep flies at a distance. It has a strong, lemon-like odor. Use citronella products outdoors where flies congregate most.
Cloves
Whole cloves have an intense aroma that flies avoid. Stick cloves into fruit slices or tie them up in cheesecloth to make sachets. Place them strategically around yards and patios. Cloves can also be simmered in water or oil.
Eucalyptus
Fresh and dried eucalyptus leaves have an herbal, woodsy scent. The aroma is released as leaves are crushed. Place bouquets around doorways and use dried leaves in potpourri. Eucalyptus essential oil can also be diluted and used as a spray repellent where flies land.
Garlic
While garlic offers mosquito protection too, flies also seem averse to its pungent odor. Crush raw garlic cloves and allow the aroma to permeate outdoor seating areas. Garlic oil and powder can be used to coat cords and surfaces where flies sometimes land and rest.
Lavender
The pleasant, floral scent of lavender is thought to confuse flies’ odor receptors. Grow lavender plants close to walkways and doors. Dried lavender can be used to make small sachets placed in drawers, cupboards, and window sills.
Lemongrass
Like citronella, lemongrass contains citronellal that gives it a strong lemon smell. Use lemongrass fresh or as an oil to repel flies both indoors and out. It can be concentrated around gathering spaces like picnic tables.
Marigolds
Marigolds have an aroma flies avoid. Planting them in pots and flower beds helps create protective barriers. Crush flowers occasionally to release more scent. Marigolds are low maintenance and easy to grow in most conditions.
Mint
Spearmint, peppermint, catmint – all types of mint can help deter flies. Grow mint in pots on patios or balconies. Crush leaves often to fill the air with refreshing minty aroma. Dried mint also works well in sachets and potpourri.
Pennyroyal
Insect repelling pennyroyal is in the mint family and has a strong, pungent smell. Keep pots around gathering areas outdoors. Pennyroyal oil can be diluted and sprayed where flies tend to linger indoors.
Rosemary
The pine-like fragrance of rosemary makes a protective barrier that flies avoid. Sprinkle crushed dried rosemary around doorways and use stems in flower arrangements indoors. Rosemary essential oil can be diluted and sprayed onto surfaces.
Thyme
Thyme contains thymol that gives it a potent aroma. Fresh and dried thyme deter flies. Make bundles to hang and place pots around patios and porches. Thyme oil helps repel flies when added to spray cleaners.
Essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, and tea tree can be blended to create DIY fly repellent sprays too. Use a ratio of at least 2 drops of essential oil for every ounce of water.
Other Tactics to Deter Flies
While aromatic scents are a first line of defense, some other strategies can boost your fly control efforts:
- Install screens – Well-fitting screens keep flies out of homes and prevent outdoor gatherings from being invaded.
- Remove breeding grounds – Eliminate compost piles, pet waste, and garbage from around your property. Drain any areas of standing water.
- Use traps – Sticky fly paper, bait traps, or funnel traps can capture flies indoors and outside.
- Keep surfaces clean – Flies look for places to feed and lay eggs. Clean counters, sweep floors, and empty trash frequently.
- Try fans – Flies struggle to fly against a breeze, so fans create an extra barrier.
Most Effective Smells and Products
Research suggests some scents excel at driving flies away. Products containing these aromas are good options for repelling flies:
| Scent | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Lemongrass | Highly effective due to citronellal compound |
| Eucalyptus | Potent herbal scent repels many flies |
| Peppermint | Disliked by house flies and stable flies |
| Citronella | Masks scents that attract flies |
| Lavender | Confuses flies’ sense of smell |
| Bay leaves | Unpleasant aroma drives flies away |
Look for sprays, candles, oils, and other products containing these scents. Use them liberally around gathering spaces, doorways, and other fly hotspots.
Conclusion
Flies can quickly go from nuisance to infestation if left uncontrolled. Rather than resorting to chemical sprays, aromatic scents offer a natural way to repel flies. Herbs like basil, mint, lavender, and lemongrass make great additions to yards and gardens. Their smells mask inviting odors and confuse flies’ senses. Essential oils also deter flies when used in homemade sprays and sachets. With some strategic use of aromas both indoors and out, you can discourage flies from invading your space.
