Summertime brings long days and warm nights, but unfortunately it also brings annoying flies to your back porch.
Whether you’re entertaining guests or just enjoying some peace and quiet, flies can quickly ruin the mood.
Thankfully, there are simple tips and tricks you can use to keep your porch fly-free.
From cleaning up food and drink spills to installing insect screens, this article will provide you with effective ways to keep pesky flies away from your back porch.
So come along and learn how to enjoy your porch in peace – no flies allowed!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
To keep flies away from a back porch, start by keeping the porch clean and free of food or garbage.
Additionally, use fly repellents such as citronella candles or diatomaceous earth.
You can also hang fly strips or use a fly trap to help catch flies.
Finally, keep windows and doors shut to prevent flies from entering the porch.
Clean Up Food and Drink Spills
Keeping flies away from your back porch starts with cleaning up any food or drink spills that may have occurred.
Flies are naturally attracted to sweet and rotting food, so it’s important to get rid of any messes quickly.
Clean up any spills using a damp cloth or paper towel, and if needed, use a mild dish soap and water to get rid of any stubborn residue.
Make sure to also dispose of any food scraps that may have been left behind, as these can be a major attractor for flies.
To help prevent future spills, it’s also a good idea to keep any snacks or drinks away from the edge of the porch or inside if possible.
Taking a few moments to tidy up after meals or drinks can go a long way towards keeping flies away.
Use a Fan to Create a Breeze
One of the most effective ways to keep flies away from your back porch is to create a steady breeze.
A fan is an ideal option, as it can be used to generate a steady breeze that will help discourage the flies from entering the area.
The fan should be placed in an area that will maximize the airflow, such as near an open door or window, and should be adjusted to create a steady and consistent breeze.
Additionally, you can use other means to create a breeze, such as opening multiple windows in the area or using a portable fan.
By creating a steady breeze, you can make the area less attractive to flies and help keep them away from your back porch.
Spraying Natural Insect Repellents
When it comes to keeping flies away from your back porch, one of the most effective methods is to spray natural insect repellents.
Essential oils, like peppermint oil, lavender oil, citronella oil, lemongrass oil, and eucalyptus oil, can be sprayed around your porch to make it an unappealing environment for flies.
Not only are these essential oils natural, but they are also safe to use around pets and children.
To create a repellent spray, simply combine a few drops of the essential oil of your choice with a cup of water in a spray bottle.
Shake the bottle gently to mix the ingredients, and then spray the mixture around the perimeter of your porch.
The scent of the essential oils will help keep flies away, as they are naturally repelled by the strong odor.
Another benefit of using natural insect repellents is that the scent will help to make your porch a more pleasant place to spend time.
The scent of the essential oils can help to create a calming atmosphere, and can also help to mask any unpleasant smells that may be lingering in the air.
So, if youre looking for a simple and effective way to keep flies away from your back porch, consider spraying natural insect repellents around the area.
Not only will it help to keep the flies away, but it will also make your porch a more pleasant place to spend time.
Keeping Doors and Windows Closed
The last step to keeping flies away from your back porch is to keep the porch doors and windows closed whenever possible.
This may seem like a simple solution, but it is an effective one.
By closing the porch doors and windows, you are limiting the number of flies that can come into your area and help keep your porch bug-free.
When closing the doors and windows, make sure to check for any cracks or gaps, as flies can still get in through these.
If you find any, seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
It is also important to keep the area around your porch clean and free of any debris, as this can attract flies and other insects.
For larger porches, you may also want to consider installing a screen door.
This will help keep the flies out while also allowing you to enjoy the fresh air.
When installing your screen door, make sure to use a mesh with a small enough hole size that flies will not be able to get through.
Finally, you may also want to consider using some sort of fly trap or bug zapper to help further reduce the number of flies in your area.
Some traps are designed to attract certain types of flies, while others will help capture a wider range of insects.
By following these simple steps, you can help keep flies away from your back porch and enjoy the warm weather without worrying about pesky bugs.
Plants That Repel Flies
In addition to keeping your porch clean and using fans and natural insect repellents, you can use plants to help keep flies away from your back porch.
Certain plants, such as marigolds, mint, lavender, and basil, contain compounds that flies do not like.
Planting these plants around your porch can help keep flies away.
You can also hang bunches of strong-smelling herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano, around the porch to repel flies.
Additionally, planting citronella plants around the porch can help keep flies away, as citronella is known for its insect-repelling properties.
Finally, many gardeners recommend planting garlic and onion around the porch as a natural fly repellent.
Homemade Repellents
When it comes to keeping flies away from your back porch, one of the best methods is to use homemade repellents.
This is a safe, natural way to keep the area free from pesky flies without having to use harsh chemicals.
There are a few simple ingredients you can use to make your own homemade repellents to keep flies away.
The first option is to make a solution of water and essential oils.
Essential oils such as citronella, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus are all known to be effective at keeping away flies.
Simply mix a few drops of the essential oil of your choice with water and spray the solution around your porch.
This will help create a natural, pleasant-smelling barrier that flies are not attracted to.
Another homemade option is to make a vinegar-based repellent.
You can mix together equal parts of apple cider vinegar, water, and dish soap in a spray bottle.
This solution will help to mask the smell of food and other attractants that flies are drawn to and will make the area less inviting for them.
You can also use cloves to make a homemade fly repellent.
Place a few cloves in a shallow bowl and place it around your porch.
Cloves have a strong smell that flies don’t like and it can help to keep them away from the area.
These homemade repellents are easy and effective ways to keep flies away from your back porch.
With a few simple ingredients, you can make your own natural, safe repellents that will help to keep the area fly-free.
Installing Insect Screens
Installing insect screens is an effective way to keep flies away from your back porch.
Insect screens are designed to keep out a wide range of flying and crawling insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and bees.
The screens can be installed on windows or doors to create a barrier between the porch and the outside environment.
Insect screens come in a variety of sizes and styles, including mesh styles that allow for air to pass through while still blocking out insects.
Additionally, some insect screens can be installed in an existing patio, deck, or porch structure for extra protection.
Installing insect screens can be a great way to keep flies away from your back porch and provide peace of mind knowing that your family and pets can enjoy the outdoor space without being bothered by pesky flies.
Final Thoughts
By following these simple tips and tricks, you can help ensure that your back porch is free from flies.
Clean up spills, create a breeze, spray natural insect repellents, and keep the doors and windows closed.
If you have the space, you can also try planting certain plants that repel flies or making your own homemade repellents.
If all else fails, consider installing insect screens.
Taking these steps can help you keep your back porch a fly-free zone and give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy the summer months.