How to Get Rid of Flies from Kitchen Fast and Easy

You know how annoying it is when flies buzz around your kitchen, landing on your food and making you feel uncomfortable. You want to get rid of them quickly and keep your kitchen clean and fresh. The good news is, you can do this easily with simple tricks that really work. In this article, I will show you clear and easy ways to get rid of flies from your kitchen so you can enjoy your space without those pesky bugs bothering you.

Keep Your Kitchen Spotless to Stop Flies

The first thing to know is that flies come to your kitchen because they find food and dirty places to lay their eggs. So, keeping your kitchen clean is the best way to stop flies from coming in the first place.

This means wiping down counters every day, cleaning up food crumbs, and washing dishes right after eating. Don’t leave dirty plates or cups on the sink. Flies love old food and spills, so be sure to clean those up quickly.

Also, take out your trash regularly and use a bin with a tight lid. Flies are attracted to garbage, so don’t let trash sit around for too long. If you have fruit or vegetables on your counter, check them often and throw away any that are overripe or rotting because flies are very attracted to them.

Another thing is to clean your kitchen drains and sinks well. Flies can breed in the wet areas, so use some baking soda and vinegar or a drain cleaner to keep it fresh. After cleaning, dry the area as much as possible to stop flies from staying there.

Keep windows and doors closed or put up screens so flies can’t get inside easily. If you want fresh air, use fine mesh screens on windows and doors to stop flies but still let air come in.

Wipe counters and tables daily
Clean food spills and crumbs immediately
Wash dishes right after use

Take out trash regularly with a closed bin
Check and remove old fruits and vegetables
Clean sinks and drains often

Keep windows and doors closed or use screens

Use Natural Fly Traps That Work Great

If flies still come into your kitchen, using natural fly traps can help catch and kill them without chemicals. One popular way is to make a simple trap with apple cider vinegar. Flies love the smell, so pour some vinegar into a small bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Then poke small holes in the wrap. Flies will fly in but won’t be able to get out.

Another easy trap uses sugar water and dish soap. Mix sugar with water and add a few drops of dish soap. The sugar attracts the flies, and the soap breaks the surface tension so they sink and die.

You can also use fruit traps by putting pieces of overripe fruit in a jar and covering the top with paper with holes in it. Flies will get inside and won’t find their way out.

These traps are safe to use around kids and pets and are very easy to make at home with things you already have. Place the traps near where flies gather, like near fruit bowls or trash cans, to catch the most flies.

Make apple cider vinegar traps with plastic wrap and holes

Use sugar water mixed with dish soap in a bowl
Set fruit traps with overripe fruit and paper covers
Place traps near fly hotspots

Safe and chemical-free options for home use

Use Herbs and Plants to Keep Flies Away

Certain plants and herbs smell nice to us but flies really dislike them. You can use these plants in your kitchen to keep flies away naturally. Some of the best ones are basil, mint, lavender, and rosemary. Put small pots of these herbs on your kitchen window sill or counters. The smell will help keep flies from flying around.

Basil and mint are especially strong-smelling, and flies do not like those smells at all. Lavender is not only pretty but also a natural insect repellent. Rosemary works the same way and smells fresh and clean.

You can also make sprays by boiling these herbs in water and then putting the cooled water in a spray bottle. Spray around your kitchen counters, doors, and windows to keep flies from coming inside. It’s safe and smells wonderful too.

Using plants is a great way to fight flies without chemicals, plus you get fresh herbs for cooking. Remember to water your plants and keep them healthy so they can do their job well.

Use basil, mint, lavender, and rosemary plants

Place herb pots on counters and windowsills
Make herb sprays to spray around kitchen
Natural and safe fly repellent

Also good for cooking and kitchen smells

Use Fly Screens and Keep Doors Closed

A very easy and strong way to stop flies from getting into your kitchen is to use fly screens on windows and doors. Fly screens are fine mesh nets that let air come in but stop flies and other bugs from entering your home. Installing these on all your kitchen windows and doors is a smart way to keep flies out all year long.

If you don’t have fly screens, try to keep kitchen doors closed as much as possible, especially during warmer months when flies are most active. If you need to open doors, use a screen door or a door curtain made of beads or thin strips to block flies.

When you have visitors or carry groceries in, try to open doors only for short times to stop flies from rushing inside. Also, check if there are any holes or gaps in your doors or windows where flies can enter and fix them.

This method works best combined with cleaning and traps because it keeps flies from coming inside while you catch or kill the ones already there.

Install fly screens on windows and doors

Keep kitchen doors closed whenever possible
Use screen doors or door curtains
Fix any holes or gaps in doors/windows

Open doors only for short times

Use Homemade Fly Sprays Safely

If flies are still a problem, you can try homemade fly sprays. These sprays are easy to make, safe, and use ingredients you likely already have. A common recipe is mixing water, apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil. These oils smell strong and help repel flies.

To make the spray, mix 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 10-15 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray around your kitchen surfaces, windows, and doors. Avoid spraying directly on food or dishes.

Another spray option is mixing water and lemon juice. Flies don’t like the sour smell and stay away from it. You can also add some dish soap to the mix to help kill flies on contact.

These sprays don’t kill all flies instantly but help keep them away and make your kitchen less inviting to them. Spray daily or whenever you see flies starting to come around.

Mix water, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils

Use peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oils
Spray around kitchen surfaces and entry points
Avoid spraying directly on food

Use lemon juice and water spray as alternative
Spray regularly to keep flies away

Use Electric Fly Killers and Other Tools

If you want a fast and effective way to kill flies, electric fly killers are a good choice. These devices attract flies with light and then kill them when they touch the electric grid inside. You can hang them in your kitchen or place them on a table where flies gather.

Electric fly killers work well because they catch many flies at once and don’t use chemicals or sprays. However, they need to be cleaned regularly to remove dead flies. Also, keep them away from food preparation areas for hygiene reasons.

Another useful tool is sticky fly strips. These are sticky paper strips that hang from the ceiling or cabinets. Flies land on the sticky surface and get stuck. They are cheap and easy to use but may not look very nice in your kitchen.

You can also use fans to keep flies away. Flies do not like strong wind because it makes it hard for them to fly. Place a fan near doors or windows to blow air and keep flies outside.

Use electric fly killers with UV light
Clean devices regularly
Use sticky fly strips in fly-prone areas

Place fans near doors and windows to blow flies away
Tools work well with cleaning and natural methods

Summary of Ways to Get Rid of Flies in Kitchen

Keep kitchen very clean and remove food sources

Use natural traps like vinegar and sugar water
Grow and use herbs like basil and mint
Install fly screens and keep doors closed

Spray homemade repellents with essential oils
Use electric fly killers, sticky strips, and fans

Method	How It Works	Safety Level	Cost	Maintenance	Effectiveness
Clean Kitchen	Removes fly food and breeding spots	Very safe	Free	Daily cleaning	Very effective
Natural Traps	Attract and trap flies	Safe, no chemicals	Low	Replace bait weekly	Effective for small problems
Herbs and Plants	Repels flies with smell	Safe and natural	Low	Water regularly	Good for prevention
Fly Screens	Stops flies from entering	Very safe	Medium	Occasional cleaning	Very effective
Homemade Fly Sprays	Repels flies with natural ingredients	Safe if used properly	Low	Spray regularly	Good when combined
Electric Fly Killers	Attracts and kills flies	Safe if used properly	Medium	Clean dead flies	Very effective
Sticky Fly Strips	Traps flies on sticky surface	Safe	Low	Replace when full	Effective for indoor use
Fans	Keeps flies away with wind	Safe	Low	Clean fan blades	Helps prevent fly entry

Final Thoughts

Getting rid of flies in your kitchen may seem hard, but with the right habits and simple tools, it becomes easy and stress-free. Keeping your kitchen clean, using natural traps and sprays, and protecting your space with screens or electric killers all work together to keep flies away. Remember, being consistent is key to stopping flies for good. Try these methods and enjoy a fresh, fly-free kitchen every day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to use vinegar traps around food?

Yes, vinegar traps are very safe to use around food because they do not use harmful chemicals. Apple cider vinegar is natural and non-toxic. Just be careful to place the traps away from open food or drinks so flies don’t get close to your meals. These traps attract flies and keep them away from your kitchen surfaces safely.

Can I use essential oils to stop flies?

Yes, you can use essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil to repel flies. These oils have strong smells that flies dislike. You can make sprays by mixing the oils with water and spraying around windows and doors. Essential oils are natural and safe but avoid spraying directly on food or skin.

Do I need to clean my electric fly killer often?

Yes, you should clean your electric fly killer regularly. Dead flies collect on the grid and can reduce its effectiveness or cause odors. Cleaning once a week or whenever you see many dead flies is a good idea. Make sure to unplug the device before cleaning for safety.

Is it enough to keep the kitchen clean to stop flies?

Keeping the kitchen clean is the most important step to stop flies because it removes their food and breeding places. However, in some cases, flies can still come from outside or neighbors. Using other methods like traps or screens along with cleaning gives the best results.

Can I use fly strips with pets at home?

Fly strips are generally safe but should be placed out of reach of pets and children. The sticky surface can catch small animals if they touch it, which might cause stress or harm. Put strips high up or inside cabinets where pets cannot reach.

Do I have to throw away fruit if flies are around?

If fruit is attracting flies, it’s best to remove or cover it. Overripe or rotting fruit is especially attractive to flies and can increase their numbers. You don’t have to throw all fruit away, just check often and use fresh fruit first to keep flies away.

Is it useful to use fans to keep flies away?

Yes, fans help because flies don’t like strong wind and it makes flying harder for them. Putting a fan near doors or windows can stop flies from coming inside. Fans are also great for keeping air fresh in the kitchen.

Can flies come back after I get rid of them?

Flies can come back if the conditions in your kitchen stay attractive to them, like dirty counters or open garbage. To keep flies away long-term, stay consistent with cleaning, use traps, screens, or sprays regularly, and close entry points well.