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
The Flies are especially aggressive and abundant this year, making it impossible to enjoy our deck on some of the beautiful spring days that we’re having.
Yesterday, after mowing, but before mulching, I sat down on a chair under our gazebo, on the deck, to enjoy the breeze, but was immediately inundated with flies. Went in the house to look for – gasp – chemicals, but didn’t have any, so I searched online for homemade fly repellents. After reading 5 different articles touting the same 7 different herbs and essential oils – none of which I currently have growing, and I didn’t think that my wife would be terribly pleased finding dried oregano sprinkled all over the place – I found this article.
Was kind of doubtful after reading several reader comments, plus it seemed like it would be an aesthetic nightmare that would piss off the neighbors. But, as a curious fellow, and one who seems to be easily distracted from performing the necessary tasks at hand (mulching), I decided to give it a go.
I had the Baggie, duct tape, kitchen twine, and an old penny (too dirty and sweaty to go casing the house for a shiny one). Got it, ahem, assembled, and took it out, and hung it from one of the gazebo’s long-bars.
It was late in the day, five-ish, so I was expecting to be disappointed, and initially, I was, as the flies still hung around, seemingly oblivious to this intrusive, obvious eyesore. But, within minutes, gone. Everywhere. Not under the gazebo, not on the floor, not by the grill – nowhere on our 16×16 deck was a fly to be found, not even when my wife came out around 6:30 to ‘politely’ inquire about the white-trash setup that I had soiled and sullied our neighborhood with. But, I said ‘look, no flies’, and all was forgiven – damn the neighbors, and their delicate sensibilities.
In fact, during this little tete e tete, one neighbor’s kid came over to ask if we had a problem with flies, saying that they’d sprayed everything, to no avail. I said to tell his folks that we apologize for this monstrosity, but it works, with him saying that they, too, saw this contraption online, and wanted to know if it worked? With me confirming that it did, I expect to see more of them ‘hanging’ around.
Next, I’ll see if maybe hanging a couple of sandwich size baggies, instead of a big, gallon-sized one, would be just as effective.
Regardless, it works, and I am very thankful for this non-citronella-scented DIY solution.
LOL, “… not even when my wife came out around 6:30 to ‘politely’ inquire about the white-trash setup that I had soiled and sullied our neighborhood with.” Classically said! 🙂
I so enjoyed reading this, that I too decided to try the white trash set-up! I live on a ranch with a dog sanctuary. So with 58+ dogs and the amount of excrement, you can imagine the fly problem we have. :
Did it wor Vanessak? I work at a rescue shelter as well and there are upwards of 70 dogs, so with summer coming (We’re in Australia )I’m desperate to find something to help with the black hoards of flys. Thank you!
I tried it because the kids broke out the screens on my big windows in the living room, I was really hoping it might work but I should of followed my gut feeling because the flies flew right passed the baggies. 🙁
To stop mosquitoes in mid air, use a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. Spray the mosquito while they are flying around with the rubbing alcohol and they will DROP DEAD!!!
Much is considered and written about the crimes committed from the aborigines against the white man, nevertheless it needs to be remembered the blacks
received great provocation. His fee was 110 guineas, which of the
hotelkeeper was 30 guineas. Much maudlin sentimentally, and far empty declaration,
have been written and talked about crime, and
contrary to the punishment of criminals with death.
Never did anything for the flies in my house..
Works only for flies (not other flying insects) and works best on a sunny day.
Did not work for me.
Works here. Hung them on each veranda.
This really does work, i have been using this method for a couple of years now. I always use 5 pennys.