There's nothing worse than being jolted out of a deep sleep by a sharp buzzing sound close to your ear. Houseflies and fruit flies are some of the most common—and most annoying—home pests. If you're at your wit's end trying to figure out how to get rid of flies, take a deep breath. They're not just one of those things you have to learn to live with. Getting rid of flies is actually easier than you might think. There are a number of store-bought options that actually work to kill flies—sprays, light traps, and bug catchers are the most common—but you can also set out a few plants or home remedies made of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Flies tend to hate the smell of pine, so lighting your favorite Christmas candle or cleaning with Pine-Sol is an easy and temporary solution to your bug problem. However, for a long-term fix or more flies, we recommend opting for a stronger method like a DIY trap made from a soda bottle or a store-bought light trap.
Having flies is a quick way to make a clean home feel dirty, even if you don't have messy countertops or full trash cans. Getting rid of houseflies is different from getting rid of fruit flies, but ahead we break down a few tried-and-true methods for both pesky insects. These methods are sure to help keep that annoying buzzing at bay.
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Make a DIY Trap
If you prefer a more natural method to chemical sprays, try crafting a DIY fly trap. Erlich Pest Control recommends the bottle method: Start with an empty plastic two-liter bottle, such as a soda bottle. Cut the bottle just above the label, and set the top piece aside (you'll need it in a minute). Pour a solution of something sweet, like fruit punch or another sugary drink, into the bottom part of the bottle. (The sugar in the solution will lure flies.) Place the top of the bottle back on the bottom of the bottle upside down, so that the top looks like a funnel inside the bottom; you can seal the edges with tape if needed. Then…wait. The flies will be able to get into the trap but not out. This kind of trap also works for fruit flies. If it's not attracting houseflies, try adding old food scraps.
For a quick and easy version, make a soap trap: Fill a shallow bowl with about an inch of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar, and a drop of dish soap. The flies will head down to investigate the smell, then drown in the mixture.
Buy a Venus Fly Trap
ALTMAN PLANTS 3 in. Venus Fly Trap
As its name suggests, this carnivorous plant feeds on both houseflies and fruit flies. Due to its tropical origins, Venus fly traps thrive when they get around six hours of bright indirect light a day, so place it near a window or on a ledge where it can soak up the sun's rays. Once your fly problem is taken care of, you might want to set your fly trap outside. It'll start to droop and die unless you keep feeding it!
Try a Store-Bought Trap
There are a ton of store-bought insect repellents and bug traps out there. Light traps and sticky traps are most effective ways to get rid of flies.
RSVP International RSVP Endurance Kitchen Collection Ceramic Fruit Fly Trap
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
