Why Your Yard is Infested with Flies and How to Deal with Them

All flies are nuisances and they have a negative impact wherever they land, including in yards. They are not only annoying but also carry diseases so if you have a yard that is always infested with flies, you should take some preventive measures and if possible extermination.

But why do flies come to your yard? Why do they hang out there?

Your yard must have something that attracts flies and that is decaying organic matter. If you are in the habit of throwing garbage in your yard, you are adding organic matter that will decompose there and it will definitely attract flies to come and “feast”. They come to mate, lay eggs, and make sure their larvae grow and develop.

The presence of decaying organic matter is not the only factor as excessive moisture is another. Flies, of all kinds, definitely love moisture. So if your yard is too humid, it shouldn’t take too long for it to be infested by hordes of pesky flies. Make sure your yard has good drainage as any stagnant water can attract flies.

That’s why sanitation and hygiene are so important

Tired of stubborn nuisance flies? You need to control the fly population and preventive measures should be taken. Disposing of food scraps and ensuring they are not left in your yard is the first preventive step. Minimizing “food residue” is the easiest to do in any pest control program.

And don’t forget about the condition of your trash bins. It would be a waste if you remove organic waste regularly but your bin is open or not properly closed. Make sure it’s closed tightly so it doesn’t attract flies with its “smell”. Many people make the mistake of not paying attention to the condition of their bins. Don’t do that!

If you want even better results, adding a layer of mulch over the surface of your yard can be considered.

Maybe you want to plant insect-repellent plants?

Some plants are known to repel insects and flies are certainly one of them. They emit natural odors that insects don’t like and you can try planting one of them. For example, lemongrass is great for repelling flies, eucalyptus whose scent is hated by insects in general, and rosemary which naturally keeps insects away.

You can also trap them!

Have some unused bottles? Try filling each of them with a solution of sugar and water. The flies will be attracted and enter the bottles, trying to drink the solution and get trapped in the water. The sugar solution will be too sticky and prevent them from flying again. Hanging tape in strategic areas of your yard can also increase the chances of them getting trapped.

And of course, you can “hire” fly predators…

If you release natural fly predators like spiders and dragonflies in your garden and let them breed, they can help you control the fly population in your garden. Some parasitic wasps can also be released as they will seek out fly eggs and eat them before they hatch.

There is a lot that can be done, right?