How to Get Rid of Flies & Mosquitoes

Disease-carrying insects must be removed from your living space.

Flies, mosquitoes and humans naturally coexist outdoors, even when the insects become bothersome. But when these flying pests take up residence in your home, the annoyance factor increases quickly. Flies and mosquitoes enter the home for the same reason other pesty insects do-- to find food and water supplies. They also affect the sanitation of your home and can pose a health hazard. To effectively remove fly and mosquito infestations, you must ensure their food and water sources are controlled too.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Bucket
• Disinfectant cleaner
• Clean cloths
• Screen repair kits
• Caulking gun
• Caulk
• Glass jars
• Apple cider vinegar
• Plastic wrap
• Rubber bands
• Scissors
• Spray bottle
• 1 oz. garlic juice
• Cloth strips
• Fly paper
• Citronella candles

Instructions

1. 

   A clean house discourages insects from setting up residence.

   Vacuum your home to remove crumbs and other food sources that attract flies into your home. Wash the floor, countertops, appliances and other surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner to clean and remove germs left by flies.

2. Check the screens in doors and windows for holes or tears that might allow flies and mosquitoes to enter your home. Patch the holes and tears with a screen repair kit, purchased at a hardware store. Follow the package directions.

3. Fill cracks and gaps around windowsills and doorways with caulk to prevent the flying pests from coming in.

4. Fill glass jars with one to two inches of apple cider vinegar. Cover the tops of the jars with plastic wrap and secure the plastic with rubber bands. Poke holes into the plastic wrap so flies can enter the jars to get to the vinegar. Place the jars of vinegar in locations where flies have been seen. Once inside the jars, the flies cannot get out and drown in the vinegar.

5. Discard the vinegar and dead flies. Refill the jars and continue to set up the vinegar traps each day until the infestation is gone.

6. 

   Garlic is a natural mosquito repellent.

   Mix 1 oz. garlic juice and 5 oz. water in a spray bottle. Saturate cloth strips with the garlic solution and lay outside your home and any areas inside where mosquitoes are frequenting. The garlic smell works as an effective mosquito repellent.

7. Hang fly paper inside and in outdoor living areas to catch flies and mosquitoes. Attach the fly paper near light fixtures since the insects are naturally attracted to the light sources at night.

8. Burn citronella candles while you're enjoying time outdoors to keep mosquitoes away from you.

Tips & Warnings

• The garlic spray repellent can be used on people and pets to keep mosquitoes away while outdoors.

• Plant marigolds to deter mosquitoes from your patio or garden area.

• Drop eucalyptus essential oil on a cotton ball to repel flies.

• Check your yard after rainfall to ensure there are no areas of standing water that will encourage mosquitoes to lay eggs.

References

• ANAPSID; Natural Pest Control; Melissa Kaplan; December 2009
• Eartheasy: Natural Insect Pest Control
• EPA: Safe Cleaning Alternatives: Pest Control