There’s nothing more annoying than flies buzzing around your head while you’re trying to work. Usually, once you see one fly in your garage, more flies are on the way.
Smelly garbage cans attract flies and other insects, but eliminating them before your garage turns into a breeding ground is critical.
This article will discuss several ways to get rid of flies in the garage and make sure they don’t come back.
How to Get Rid of Flies in Your Garage
There are several reasons you might have a fly infestation in your garage. First, if you haven’t taken care of garbage or decaying organic matter, then flies will be drawn to it and breed here.
If you are struggling to repel flies in your garage, there are a few things that you can do to get rid of them. Here are some of the most common ways to get rid of flies in your garage.
Another common reason is if there are any pet food dishes around that aren’t cleaned often enough, flies will find them too. Flies will flock to spilled liquids that have dried up around your garage and use them as breeding grounds as well.
Find What Attracts Flies
One of the first things you need to do is find out what attracts house flies to your garage. This could be anything from food to garbage.
Once you have identified what attracts them, you can eliminate it.
Several places can attract flies:
- Smelly trash cans in your garage
- Areas of decay, such as pet feces and food remnants
- Containers of water containing decaying matter
- Outdoor compost piles
- Dead house plants with potting soil
- Other uncovered outdoor garbage containers
- Spilled bottles of soda or beer
- Fruit rinds, which attract fruit flies
- Unused garage appliances such as microwaves, blenders, and coffeemakers
- Open bags of pet food
If you see any of these issues in your garage, clean them up and get rid of them. You will eliminate the flies in your garage if you eliminate the attractant.
Clean Trash Cans
The first thing to do about getting rid of flies in your garage is to clean and disinfect your trash cans.
Flies will lay eggs anywhere they find a food supply. So, if you have a dirty trash can, flies will lay their eggs nearby. When those eggs hatch, the larvae crawl into the trash and find a plentiful food source that will allow them to mature into adult flies.
It’s not enough to hose out your garbage can once a year.
While that will clean off any large clumps of food or animal waste, you’ll need something stronger to get the caked-on garbage off.
There are dozens of chemical solutions available and several all-natural remedies as well. Whichever method you choose, cleaning your trash can regularly help prevent garage flies during hot summer months.
If flies are still attracted to your garbage, you may want to get brand new trash cans and start fresh.
Commercial Pesticides that Kill Flies
After you’ve found the source of the problem and addressed it, you can apply a residual pesticide to kill any flies that remain and prevent new ones from entering.
There are many residential pesticides on the market, so choosing one that fits your needs is essential.
Some of the most common ingredients in commercial fly sprays include:
- Pyrethrum: Natural insecticide derived from the chrysanthemum flower.
- Permethrin: Synthetic pyrethroid used to kill a wide variety of insects.
- Piperonyl Butoxide: A chemical that is used to increase the effectiveness of pyrethrum and permethrin.
Read the label carefully before purchasing a pesticide, as many kill flies and other insects, such as roaches and spiders.
If you have any pets, keep them away from the area until the pesticide has dried.
You will need:
- Rubber gloves
- Face mask
- Long sleeves and pants
- Garbage bags
- A microfiber cloth (optional)
- Cotton balls (optional)
- Spray bottle (optional)
To apply the pesticide:
- Put on your rubber gloves and a face mask.
- Cover the floor with garbage bags to prevent overspray.
- If there is a fan in the room, turn it off to not spread the pesticide around.
- Use your microfiber cloth or a rag to apply the pesticide to any surfaces you believe the flies are getting in, including doors, windows, vents, screens, and fans.
- Allow the pesticide to dry completely before re-entering the garage or turning on fans or vents.
You can also use cotton balls soaked in the pesticide to plug up fly entry points.
If you want to use a spray bottle, dilute the pesticide with water according to the manufacturer’s directions. Once diluted, spray all of your entry points down with pesticide.
How to Keep Flies Out of Your Garage…Permanently
Once you’ve gotten rid of the flies in your garage, you’ll want to ensure they don’t come back.
Here are a few tips to encourage a fly-free zone:
Seal Up Any Leaks
A major reason for a fly infestation in your garage is many entry points. The flies will never go away if they continue entering through cracks and other holes.
You will want to look in your garage for holes in the walls, floor, or ceiling that might let in flies or other insects. Fill these with caulk to prevent the pests from getting inside. This will ensure that the flies do not continue to enter.
Keep Your Garage Clean
Another reason flies continue to come into your garage is because of clutter or debris. Over time, food or other items can accumulate and decompose, attracting the flies.
Keep your garage clean by removing all items that you no longer need. If there are some things that you think you might need someday, be sure to store them in a clean location.
You will also want to sweep or vacuum the garage often to prevent food scraps, crumbs, or other items from attracting flies.
Keeping your garage clean and organized stops the flies from multiplying and keeps the ones already there from staying. It also helps prevent odors or other potential food sources.
Keep Trash Outside
Trash is another thing that can attract flies. If you have trash cans in your garage, take them out immediately after using them.
If you do not want to keep the trash outside your home, you will want to manage it better. Do not allow the garbage to sit in your garage or other areas for an extended period.
Add Plants That Flies Hate
Keeping flies away can be as simple as adding a few plants they hate. Plants that flies despise include lavender, rosemary, geraniums, and pennyroyal.
Place these by your garage door and windows to keep the flies out. Place additional plants around the perimeter of your home to encourage the flies to stay away.
Fly Traps (Fly Paper, etc.)
Fly traps are the most effective ways to get rid of flies in your garage, and there are several commercial options and even some homemade fly traps you can make yourself.
One of the most popular is flypaper strips, which are sticky and remove flies on contact. You can place these sticky traps in areas where flies are common, or hung up by built-in hangers or placed on the floor or shelving.
Another popular type of trap is a fly light, which attracts the flies with UV light and then traps them. These fly traps should be placed around the garage near the exits, where flies enter or lay eggs.
Finally, you can create homemade soda bottle fly traps with an old plastic bottle. Cut off the top third of the bottle and tape it upside down inside the bottle like a funnel. Then place a sugary substance like fruit or honey in the bottom to attract the flies. When the flies smell food, it’ll fly down into the bottle and get trapped, eventually dying.
If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can stop flies with an electric fly swatter .
Increase Air Circulation (Add a Fan)
If you try everything in this article and still have problems with flies, it could be because there is not enough air circulation in your garage. Flies congregate in areas with high humidity and minimal air flow.
To solve the problem, simply add a fan to your garage. This will increase the airflow in your garage, making it an inhospitable place for flies.
