Let’s talk about the annoying issue many of us may face at home: housefly infestation!
The housefly is a common insect that many of us may occasionally see in and around our homes.
These pests are usually attracted to the smell of the rubbish in your disposal bins.
Most of the time, these houseflies are kept at bay by throwing out the rubbish daily.
However, there have been cases of housefly infestations in some areas in Malaysia.
These pests can be dangerous at an infestation level as they carry germs.
Germs that can bring harm to your family’s health.
So, how do you prevent houseflies from becoming an infestation in your home?
Here are some fairly safe methods to get rid of unwanted housefly parties!
Housefly Infestation Prevention Hacks
Vinegar and Dish Soap
One trick that will have houseflies saying bye-bye to your home is a mix of vinegar and dish soap.
‘Wait, isn’t vinegar a fly magnet?’ Yes, and that’s the point!
To try this hack, all you have to do is these few steps:
- Mix one inch of vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a cup of water.
- Add a few drops of dish soap.
- Mix together.
The vinegar will attract the pests, and the dish soap will drag the flies down, causing them to sink underwater.
Remember to empty and dispose of the contents after the job has been done, though!
Lemongrass Spray
Another neat hack to prevent houseflies in your humble abode is lemongrass spray.
According to research, lemongrass oil features properties that deters houseflies.
You can find store-bought lemongrass spray in the market nowadays, which makes things easier for you.
Additionally, these don’t just work on flies only; these also work on other pests such as mosquitoes, too!
Cayenne Pepper and Water
Cayenne pepper mixed in plain water is also an often-quoted natural housefly repellant.
Houseflies cannot stand the spicy ingredient, so this can be an inexpensive way to repel these unwanted guests.
To create this spicy spray, just add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper into a spray bottle filled with plain water, and mix.
You can spray this concoction in areas like your house entrance, and around areas they tend to hang out at.
Plant Some Herbs
If you’ve got a green thumb: this one’s for you!
Plant some herbs such as basil, mint, or rosemary in your garden.
These herbs are natural deterrents for houseflies; so adding them to your garden would be beneficial.
Additionally, some of these herbs also can deter other pests like mice, as well.
You can even get your little ones to join in, too!
Trap Bait
You can also try using ingredients you have in your kitchen to attract and trap invading houseflies.
Some ingredients you can use for this are:
- sugar (honey or molasses)
- fruit
- meat
This trap uses what these pests love the most to bring them to their demise.
Do remember that these are food items, though!
So make sure to dispose of them when you are done to avoid more pest troubles.
Goodbye Housefly Infestation Forever..?
These tips and tricks are deterrents and repellants to prevent a housefly infestation.
However, it will not eradicate houseflies in your home in general.
You need to make sure to keep a clean home environment by:
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Disposing of garbage waste in a lidded bin
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Ensure that garbage cans are not in the vicinity of your home entrance or windows
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Clean up food messes immediately
- Cover your food and drinks to avoid houseflies landing on them
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Install a fly-screen on openings to avoid houseflies from coming indoors
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Clean up your pets’ litter boxes daily, if you have any
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Remove anything that can decompose as soon as you can
Hopefully, these hacks can help you protect your family from these pesky pests!
And make sure to remember to practice self-hygiene, too!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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