Flies seem to be everywhere this time of year. Some people prefer to use homemade fly traps. What if you want to simply repel flies instead of trapping them after they’ve already become a nuisance?
I was out at a local farm just yesterday and the flies were very noticeable and quite annoying as I went about my work. Seeing all those flies reminded me of a simple, non-toxic, and very effective fly repellent that I observed in action at one of my children’s field trips a couple of months ago.
The class was visiting a petting farm with a large open barn where donkeys, horses, goats, and other livestock were available for the children to observe and interact with.
Despite so many animals in a small semi-enclosed area, there were no flies buzzing around! Curious, I asked the owner about this, and he pointed to the heavy-duty plastic bags partially filled with water hanging over every stall.
He explained that a clear bag of water with a penny at the bottom would repel the flies very effectively. He went on to explain that the “eye” of a fly is actually hundreds of eyes and the reflection of light on the bag of water keeps them away.
“Why the penny at the bottom of the bag?”, I asked.
Grandpa the farmer answered that he wasn’t exactly sure but the penny did seem to increase the effectiveness of the hanging bag of water alone. He added that he didn’t know how many square feet each bag covered so he just put a bag over every animal stall to keep as many flies away as possible.
He also had put up a few bags over the picnic area and it was so nice to be able to eat lunch without flies swarming everywhere!
Note that the clearer the water, the more effective this trick is. If you use rusty well water, it won’t work as effectively as ultra clean and clear filtered water.
Try this fly repellant method for yourself! If you do, please check back and let us know how it worked for you!
Fly Repellent Only Works for Flies
Please note that this fly repellent trick only works for flies, not mosquitoes, and other insects. It also works very well for flies in the Southern United States. However, it may not work as well for flies from other geographical areas such as blowflies in Australia.
If you need to repel other insects like mosquitoes, ticks, or horse flies, this article on natural herbal insect repellent can help.
More Natural Pest Control  Ideas
Removing Ticks Safely (plus prevention ideas)
Nontoxic Pest Control Ideas that Work
Natural Fire Ant Killer that Works FAST
Effective Bed Bug Removal Techniques
Natural Flea Infestation and Prevention Strategies
Attracting and Using Ladybugs for Garden Pest Control
Safely Get Rid of Carpenter Ants in a Snap
Spider Repellent Guaranteed to Work
Mosquito Bite Remedy
As for mosquitoes seems like plain old baby oil works just as well for us
we cut the top off a 2liter soda bottle and invert it ,put sugar water/beer/juice/yeast;whatever we have on hand -flies go in and can’t get back out .
We don’t have pennies in Australia any idea what else I could put in the water bag?
anything copper should work
we tie the bag in a ot at the top and put where the nknot is on a hook or nail didn’t ripe all summer and had them above all our doors
I use it all the time I have one outside my door and in my garage. It works well because the neighbor has horses and we have a lot of flys.
It’s true. Works like a charm. Although it doesn’t repel 100% of the flies, it does scare away at least 99% of them. For the stubborn 1%, we use an electric fly swatter, the kids just love it.
Hmm, no pennies in Australia? Will it still work with silver and not copper coins (or whatever metal coins are actually made of). Love all the follow-up repellent ideas, too!
I would love to know if this would work for Tsetse Flies. In Africa some areas still have this problem and it’s a nightmare if you camp in an area like this.
Love the blog.
I have come across of alcohol by mistake. I had an alcohol bottle next to me and splashed a little on a large mosquito, it worked!! So next to my bed, etc I have a small cheap spray bottle filled with alcohol, it works each and every time. I live In Florida!! Works for those flying roaches, mosquitos, etc. Try it,..
I hear bubble wrap …has the same effect…