If you’ve been battling flies this year, you’re not alone—these tiny winged pests seem more relentless than ever. From buzzing around your food at picnics to invading your kitchen and backyard, flies are a summer nuisance many of us dread. While there are plenty of chemical sprays and insecticides available, many people prefer natural, non-toxic methods to keep flies at bay. Lucky for you, there’s a simple homemade fly trap recipe that actually works, plus six fragrant plants you can grow at home to repel flies naturally.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share the exact fly trap formula I posted back in 2015—because it’s so effective I just had to bring it back this season—and introduce you to six fragrant plants that can protect your home and outdoor spaces from flies, all while enhancing your garden’s beauty.
Why Flies Are Such a Problem—and Why You Should Avoid Chemicals
Flies are more than just a nuisance; they’re a health concern. Houseflies, in particular, can carry and spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites because they feed and breed on garbage, feces, and decaying matter. When flies land on your food or kitchen surfaces, they risk transferring these pathogens to you and your family.
While chemical sprays and bug zappers might seem like quick fixes, they come with downsides:
- Health Risks: Many insecticides contain chemicals that can irritate skin, cause allergic reactions, or have longer-term health effects.
- Environmental Impact: Sprays can harm beneficial insects like bees, contaminate soil and water, and pollute the air.
- Resistance: Flies can develop resistance to common insecticides, making sprays less effective over time.
For these reasons, natural fly control methods are not just preferable—they’re increasingly necessary.
The DIY Fly Trap That Really Works
One of the best natural fly control methods is a homemade fly trap that uses common kitchen ingredients. It’s cheap, non-toxic, and surprisingly effective.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup sugar – to attract flies with sweetness.
- ¼ cup vinegar – mimics the smell of fermentation and decay, luring flies closer.
- ½ cup hot water – helps dissolve the sugar and salt quickly.
- 1 teaspoon salt – to kill flies once they enter the trap.
Instructions:
- Mix the sugar, vinegar, salt, and hot water in a clean plastic bottle.
- Cut off the top third of the bottle where it starts to narrow.
- Invert the cut funnel and place it upside down inside the bottom half of the bottle, creating a funnel that leads inside but is difficult for flies to exit.
- Place the trap where you see flies gathering most—near trash bins, compost piles, outdoor dining areas, or kitchen windows.
- Replace the mixture every 4-5 days or when it becomes cloudy with dead flies for maximum effectiveness.
Why This Works:
Flies are drawn to sweet and fermenting smells, which sugar and vinegar provide. The salt in the water helps break down their bodily fluids when they consume the mixture, ultimately killing them. The inverted funnel traps the flies inside the bottle, preventing their escape.
Beyond Traps: 6 Fragrant Plants That Repel Flies Naturally
While traps catch flies that are already around, the best strategy is to deter them from coming near in the first place. Several aromatic plants produce natural chemicals that flies find offensive. Growing these plants in your garden, on your patio, or near entry points can create a fragrant barrier that helps keep flies at bay.
1. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Lavender is a popular garden plant known for its beautiful purple flowers and soothing scent. But did you know it’s also a powerful natural insect repellent? Lavender’s essential oils repel flies, mosquitoes, moths, fleas, and even some spiders. Its scent is calming to humans but overwhelming for pests.
Growing Tips:
- Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Requires moderate watering.
- Can be grown in pots or garden beds.
- Harvest flowers to dry and use indoors as fragrant sachets that repel flies and moths.
2. Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
Citronella is famous for its fly- and mosquito-repellent oil. Unlike lemongrass, which is mild and edible, citronella grass produces a strong, pungent scent that bugs hate. It’s the base for many natural insect sprays and candles.
Growing Tips:
- Thrives in full sun with plenty of water.
- Can grow quite tall, so plant in containers or garden borders.
- Avoid ingesting as it’s too strong and not suitable for cooking.
3. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Wormwood has striking silver-green leaves and a velvety texture. It’s a hardy plant whose oils repel flies, mosquitoes, ants, and even rodents. Traditionally used in medicine and spirits, wormwood also serves as a natural bug deterrent.
Growing Tips:
- Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Can become invasive; prune regularly to control growth.
- Use dried leaves in sachets or as garden mulch to repel insects.
4. Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet basil is a favorite herb in the kitchen, prized for its aromatic leaves and flavor. Beyond cooking, basil’s scent is unpleasant to flies and mosquitoes, making it a dual-purpose plant.
Growing Tips:
- Needs plenty of sunlight and regular watering.
- Thrives in pots or garden beds near doors and windows.
- Pinch off flowers to encourage bushier growth and stronger aroma.
5. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Tansy is a lesser-known but effective insect repellent with a strong, spicy fragrance. Historically, it was used medicinally, although many old uses are now outdated. Today, it’s prized for repelling flies and their larvae.
Growing Tips:
- Grows well in full sun or partial shade.
- Spreads quickly and can become invasive, so plant in containers if you want to control it.
- Dry flowers and leaves can be hung indoors to repel insects.
6. Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Bay laurel is well known in cooking for its aromatic leaves, but it’s also a strong pest deterrent. Flies, moths, mice, and roaches avoid the smell of bay leaves, making them perfect for hanging in kitchens, closets, and pantries.
Growing Tips:
- Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
- Can be grown in large pots or garden beds.
- Use fresh or dried leaves; bundles hung near doors and windows repel pests.
How to Use These Plants Most Effectively
- Plant near doors and windows: This is where flies try to enter your home. Having fragrant plants here can create a natural barrier.
- Use potted plants on patios and decks: Surround your outdoor seating areas with pots of lavender, basil, or citronella to keep flies away while you enjoy your meal.
- Make sachets: Dry leaves and flowers of lavender, bay laurel, and wormwood and place them in small cloth bags to hang inside your home.
- Combine traps and plants: Use the homemade fly trap alongside your fragrant plants for a one-two punch against flies.
Additional Tips to Minimize Fly Problems
- Keep your home and outdoor areas clean: Dispose of trash regularly, keep compost covered, and clean up food spills promptly.
- Seal garbage bins: Use bins with tight-fitting lids to reduce fly attraction.
- Avoid leaving food uncovered: This attracts flies immediately.
- Use fans outdoors: Flies are weak fliers; a gentle breeze from a fan can keep them away.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with flies doesn’t have to mean dousing your home in harsh chemicals. By making a simple sugar and vinegar fly trap and planting natural repellents like lavender, citronella, wormwood, sweet basil, tansy, and bay laurel, you can enjoy your summer outdoors and indoors with fewer pests and a more pleasant environment.
Not only do these methods keep flies at bay, but they also promote a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle and add beauty and fragrance to your home and garden. Give these natural solutions a try this season—you might be surprised how well they work!
