To keep flies out of your house when the door is open, you can use a combination of natural repellents, physical barriers, and environmental management:
Natural Repellents
- Flies dislike the smell of eucalyptus oil. Soak strips of cloth in eucalyptus oil and hang them around door frames or windows to deter flies
- Place cloves and lemon halves near doors or windows as natural fly deterrents
- Plant fly-repelling herbs like basil, lavender, and mint near doorways to reduce fly presence, as flies dislike these scents
Physical Barriers
- Install magnetic or mesh fly screens on doors to block flies while allowing airflow. These can be attached temporarily or permanently and can reduce flies entering by about 90%
- Use a fan pointed at the open door; the airflow makes it difficult for flies to fly inside
- Hang a small plastic bag of water outside the door; the light refraction can confuse and deter flies
- DIY traps such as sugar-water jars with paper cones or milk, sugar, and pepper mixtures can trap flies near entry points
Environmental and Behavioral Tips
- Avoid leaving out food, especially fruits or anything yeasty, which attract flies
- Keep trash bins tightly sealed and clean up pet waste promptly, as these are breeding grounds for flies
- Regularly clean areas around doors and windows to remove any dead flies or residues that might attract more
While no method is 100% effective if doors are open, combining these strategies significantly reduces the number of flies entering your home
