How to get rid of flies in the summer months

Read our latest blog for some DIY tips to get rid of flies this summer.

If you’re planning an outdoor event these holidays or organising a get-together in your office, kitchen or home, flies can be a major source of annoyance. And as the weather gets warmer, they breed faster and become even more prevalent.

In fact, flies are more than just an annoyance. They can pose a real threat to your friends, family and colleagues as they carry diseases such as dysentery, gastroenteritis and E.Coli. For many businesses, a fly infestation is cause for real concern.

Find out more about the risks posed by flies by downloading our Pest 101 Guide to Flies, in which you’ll learn more about flies and how to spot the first signs of them, as well as how they can be prevented.

So what can you do about them?

Not everyone wants to dive straight into a professional pest control service for flies – and South Africans are known for their love of DIY – so here are some tips for getting rid of flies naturally this summer. Of course, if these don’t work, you can always call in the experts.

1. Choose insecticides derived from natural origins

Commercials fly sprays (insecticides) contain Pyrethroids, a group of man-made pesticides similar to the natural pesticide pyrethrum, and are absorbed by the central nervous system of flies, paralysing them and, ultimately, resulting in their death. Artificial insecticides (pyrethroids) are toxic to all flying insects – including the beneficial ones such as bees and dragonflies.

For a safer option, opt for insecticides which contain Pyrethrins – the pesticides found naturally in some chrysanthemum flowers. While this chemical is poisonous, it’s also an insect repellent at lower concentrations.  Because they originate from Chrysanthemum flowers, Pyrethrins are biodegradable and break down on exposure to light or oxygen. Using a natural insecticide ensures that there is no excessive insecticide build-up in the area being treated.

2. Rely on Mother Nature and make use of herbs

Herbs not only smell great they can also deter flies and other flying insects such as mosquitoes. Herbs have been used for thousands of years as household cleaners, disinfectants, and insect repellents.

Did you know that herbs continue to work for you even once you’ve discarded them in the compost heap? They enrich the soil, add nutrients, and some even attract earthworms that help break down organic matter. These five herbs are easy to grow in pots and are particularly good at repelling flies:
Basil (and Lemon Basil), Rosemary, Lavender, Bay Leaf and Mint

3. Fly towards the light!

Tired of fly swatting and DIY remedies? Get rid of flies quickly and efficiently with an insect light trap (ILT). Rentokil offers a range of electric fly control units to control fly infestations.

ILT’s are carefully positioned by our professional pest control technicians to ensure maximum effectiveness. The glue-board technology ensures flies are captured and killed efficiently (unlike old-fashioned fly zappers), without the worry of fragments escaping to contaminate your home.

What’s more, Lumnia fly control units use minimal electricity and are the most sustainable and energy efficient ILT on the market. Previously only available to our commercial customers, the Lumnia range now boasts a smaller, discreet and stylish unit for domestic use: the Lumnia Slim, which is available to buy outright from us for use at home.

In addition to the Lumnia Slim unit, we also offer our domestic customers a range of other professional fly control solutions for their homes, including bait boxes and fly sprays.

Contact us today for a quote on a Lumnia Slim unit for your home, and say goodbye to flies this festive season.