Jan 18, 2022
How to Get Rid of Flies Naturally in the Home During Summer
Summer is officially here, and it's time to get your friends and family around for a BBQ, take a trip to the beach or head out for a classic Kiwi roadie. But the warmer weather also brings the return of unwanted guests of the order Diptera to your home—houseflies, fruit flies and blow flies!
In this article, we've pulled together a few products and home remedies that you can use to remove these nuisances from your home and a few handy tips to help you make your property a no-fly zone.
How to Get Rid of Flies in the House
FLY TRAPS: THE BUZZ FLY TRAP
The Buzz Fly Trap is a non-toxic and poison-free repellent that is exceptional for removing annoying houseflies while keeping your family safe. It uses a natural insect attractant mixed with water and effectively lures the flies into the trap with no chance of escape.
Unlike fly paper, which can be unsightly on walls and door frames, this trap is easy to clean, refillable, and reusable. Just change it after 2-3 weeks, and it's ready to catch flies again. Place it near entry points or anywhere in the home where the flies usually breed or bunch up, and you'll start to notice fewer pesky flies.
SHOO AWAY FLY REPELLANT
A classic Kiwi summer is nothing without a BBQ, a picnic, or camping, so be sure to get yourself the Shoo Away Fly Repellant. It's safe and chemical-free, working like a fan by creating air flow and scattering light around, which the flies see as movement and fly away. This child-friendly and pet-safe product can be used both indoors and outdoors and is best placed on tables to keep flies from settling on any food left out.
PLUG-IN INDOOR PEST REPELLANT
To shoo away flies and other pests, consider getting Plug-In Pest Free—a pest repellent safe for use around the home. It's a light, portable insect repellant that generates a frequency to stress out their nervous system, forcing them out of your home. It's a great way to send flies packing without using fly spray or removing dead houseflies. This kid and pet-safe repellent isn't just for flies; it works on mosquitos, fleas and rodents. All you have to do is plug it into a room and say goodbye to your unwanted guests.
How to Get Rid of House Flies Naturally
BASIL
One of the best natural fly repellents indoors is basil. Flies hate the smell of it, which is handy because having it in the kitchen means you'll not only scare off any flies lurking around, but you'll also have a herb on hand for garnishing or cooking with. The kitchen countertop is a fantastic place to put your basil plant, as that's where you'll be cooking up a feast (and where flies tend to hang around!)
LAVENDER
This perennial flowering plant is one of the simplest yet most effective home remedies for flies. You can put it in your home, let it grow in the garden or use lavender oil in a diffuser—the flies will be repulsed and won't set foot in the house.
CITRUS
Most natural fly deterrents or insect repellants you buy contain lemon or orange extracts because flies hate citrus—making them one of the best fly repellents for indoors. Place a few citrus peels in a small cloth or on a plate, and put them where you find most of the flies in your home. If you can't detect the citrus aroma anymore, give the peels a slight rub to keep the scent fresh and strong.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
It's time to make a homemade trap! Fruit flies, in particular, love the sweetness of apple cider vinegar. Mix it in a bowl with dish soap and watch the flies get trapped in the solution, thanks to the solid surface tension.
8 Tips for a Fly-Free Home
Houseflies can spread disease and cause dysentery, E. coli, salmonella, typhoid, cholera, and eye infections, so removing them ASAP is essential.
- Wipe down your kitchen benchtops and sweep the floors after cooking to remove the food scraps that attract flies.
- Cover your rubbish bins with a tight lid and take out the garbage if it's full.
- Store any leftover food and fruit in a sealed, air-tight container and put it in the fridge to prevent eggs from being laid on food that can be eaten by humans.
- Don't leave cups on benchtops and dirty dishes in the sink.
- Vacuum your carpets to remove spilt food or drinks that may attract flies and insects.
- Control the environment outside by removing any piles of leaves or grass clippings from around the outside of your home where flies might lay eggs.
- Switch off any outside lights if they're not in use, as many flying insects are attracted to light.
- Clean up after your pets as quickly as possible. Blow flies, in particular, are attracted to animal faeces.
Protect Your Home with Rug Doctor
With these natural ways to get rid of flies, you've now got the tools you need to enjoy a fly-free summer without using harmful insecticides. Removing flies is one great step to a cleaner, healthier home.
Continue to keep your space fresh with our guide to purifying indoor air - and if you have a feline friend in the house, how to stop cat spraying. Complete your home protection with a Rug Doctor deep clean to eliminate hidden contaminants and keep your family safe from disease-carrying pests.
Click here to find your nearest Rug Doctor location.
Updated July 15, 2025
Author: Gina Gibbs
Gina is the Business Manager at Rug Doctor NZ. With over 20 years at Rug Doctor, she's dedicated to helping New Zealanders keep their homes clean and healthy. Outside of work, Gina enjoys hiking, reading, and enjoying Vietnamese and Asian fusion cuisine. Oh, and let's not forget her expertise in cleaning up after everyone, especially her two kids!