Outdoor terraces provide a place to relax, drink coffee in the crisp mornings and maybe even eat. But nothing spoils the mood like flies gathering on the terrace. Not only are they annoying, they can also endanger your health. You can find out what you can do against flies on the terrace in this article.
Many of us can't wait to spend time outdoors as the weather gets warmer and the sun stays out longer. As temperatures rise, flies become particularly active and stay wherever they can find food. Although the small insects are disgusting and undesirable, they are generally harmless and relatively easy to get rid of. Luckily, there are some simple natural methods to eliminate them from your outdoor space. Try one of these or combine a few together to keep those pesky insects away all summer long.
Find what attracts her
Flies love decaying organic material and are attracted to all types of plant and animal products. Before using any control products, we recommend that you properly arrange your outdoor area.
Cover all outdoor food and eliminate standing water and any excess moisture in the garden.
Place the compost pile as far away from the house as possible and keep it covered.
Don't forget to close the trash can andclean them regularlywith a bleach solution. If you use trash bags, make sure they are tightly sealed.
Put away pet food after feeding time and wipe up spilled food and water.
Incense and candles with citronella
The scent of citronella is one of the most effective natural remedies for repelling flies and other pests such as mosquitoes. With citronella candles or incense sticks you can create a pleasant atmosphere on your terrace and drive away the flies at the same time.
But if you use citronella to control flies, remember that they can return when the scent has worn off. Therefore, it is best to light several candles and combine this method with other measures.
Make your own hanging fly catchers
Fly catchers are a very effective means of combating flies, the only disadvantage of which is that you can see how the annoying little insects stick.
Below we will explain to you how you can make your own fly catchers to hang on the terrace.
- Cut a piece of fabric or absorbent paper into strips about 12 inches long and at least 1 inch wide.
- Moisten them with one of the following sticky foods for an irresistible temptation: maple syrup, honey, or jam.
- Once you've soaked the strips to your liking, attach them to the railings and tree branches around your patio.
Make a fly trap
To make your own fly trap, you should dissolve about 50g of sugar in 250ml of water and pour the liquid into a glass. Roll a piece of paper into a cone long enough to reach from the top of the jar to just above the liquid. Then cut off the tip of the paper cone.
Attach the cone to the inside of the container with the wide part at the mouth of the jar and the tip directly above the sugar water.
The curious flies enter the glass via the paper cone and are easily caught. You can spread several glass jars around the patio, depending on how big your fly problem is.
Plants against flies on the terrace
A very easy way to keep the flies away on the patio is to decorate the patio area with potted plants.
Choose plants that are known to be...ward off annoying insects. These include mint, lavender, bay leaf, basil, lemongrass, tansy, wormwood and rue. Place the pots on the windowsill or patio floor, or use outdoor hanging pots.
Use fans
An interim solution to ward off flies can be to use fans. These can be very helpful at outdoor events and celebrations.
Flies don't move well in a strong wind, so a fan works well to keep them at bay. A ceiling fan is also a good option if your patio has a cover.
Also remember that the flies are attracted to the white UV light. This is the reason why fly traps are equipped with UV light. Therefore it is best toLighting in the outdoor areasreplace with soft yellow light bulbs.
