How To Get Rid Of Flies Outside Patio

If you’re wondering how to get rid of flies outside patio areas, you’re not alone. Flies can turn a relaxing space into a swatting nightmare, but with a smart plan, you can take back your outdoor living area.

This guide gives you practical, gardener-tested methods to control flies effectively. We’ll cover everything from simple clean-up to strategic plantings and traps.

Effective fly control starts with understanding why they’re there. Flies are attracted to food, moisture, and organic waste. Your patio might be offering a perfect buffet without you even realizing it.

By combining prevention, repellent, and removal tactics, you can create a strong defense. Consistency is key, as flies breed quickly.

Start with a Thorough Clean-Up

Before you try anything else, eliminate the attractions. This is the most important step for long-term control.

Secure trash and recycling bins. Use lids that seal tightly. Wash the outsides of bins weekly to remove spills and residues.
Clean up after pets immediately. Flies love pet waste. Keep this area far from your patio if possible.
Remove fallen fruit and berries. If you have fruit trees or bushes, regularly collect any fruit on the ground.
Clean your grill thoroughly. Grease and food bits are a major fly magnet. Scrape the grates and empty the drip tray after every use.
Check for hidden damp spots. Look under planters, in clogged gutters, or in low-lying areas where water pools. Flies need moisture to breed.

Use Natural Fly Repellent Plants

As a gardener, I always use plants as a first line of defense. Certain herbs and flowers give off scents that flies dislike.

Plant these in containers around your patio border or in nearby garden beds.

Basil: The strong scent is very effective. Keep a few pots on your patio table.
Lavender: Beautiful and fragrant, it repels flies, moths, and mosquitoes.
Mint: Be careful—it’s invasive. Always grow mint in pots, not in the ground.
Rosemary: Another great culinary herb that flies tend to avoid.
Marigolds: These contain pyrethrum, a natural insecticide. They’re a colorful, helpful addition.
Lemongrass: Contains citronella, a classic natural repellent.

Crush the leaves of herbs like basil and mint occasionally to release more of their oils. This boosts their repellent power.

Set Up Strategic Traps

Traps help reduce the existing adult fly population. Place them away from your main seating area, at the perimeter of your yard, to draw flies away.

Homemade Vinegar Trap

This simple trap works well for fruit flies and other small flies.

Take a jar or bowl and pour in about half a cup of apple cider vinegar.
Add a few drops of dish soap and swirl gently. The soap breaks the surface tension so flies sink.
Cover the jar with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Poke several small holes in the wrap.
Flies will be attracted, enter, and won’t be able to escape. Empty and refresh weekly.

Commercial Fly Traps

For larger flies like houseflies or cluster flies, consider these options:

Bag Traps: These use a bait that smells like rotting food. Hang them 20-30 feet from your patio. They stink, so keep them downwind and far away.
UV Light Traps: These attract flies with ultraviolet light and then zap them or trap them on a sticky board. They work best at night and are good for larger areas.
Sticky Ribbons: While not pretty, they are effective in high-traffic fly zones like near a compost bin (away from the patio).

Employ Essential Oils and Natural Sprays

You can make a simple, pleasant-smelling spray to deter flies. Mix in a spray bottle:

1 cup of water
1/2 cup of witch hazel or vodka (as an emulsifier)
30-40 drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass, or lavender.

Shake well before each use. Lightly mist around patio furniture, umbrella fabric, and doorways. Avoid spraying directly on wood finishes without testing first. Reapply after rain or every few days.

Manage Compost and Yard Waste

If you compost, do it correctly to avoid breeding flies. A well-managed compost pile shouldn’t attract many pests.

Always cover fresh kitchen scraps (fruit and vegetable peels) with a layer of “browns” like dried leaves, straw, or shredded paper.
Turn your compost pile regularly to aerate it. This speeds up decomposition and makes it less attractive to flies.
Consider a closed compost bin with a lid and air vents instead of an open pile. This is often more effective for pest control.
Keep grass clippings and leaf piles away from the patio area. Don’t let them sit wet and matted.

Install Physical Barriers

Sometimes, you need to block flies from entering your space entirely.

Patio Fans: Flies are weak fliers. A strong breeze from a ceiling fan or box fan mounted strategically makes it hard for them to land. Aim the airflow across seating and dining areas.
Screens: If flies are relentless, consider installing a retractable screen or a screened canopy around your patio. This creates a full barrier.
Door Seals: Ensure the door leading from your house to the patio seals tightly. This prevents flies from moving indoors.

Address Water Sources

Flies need water. Eliminating standing water is crucial, not just for flies but for mosquitoes too.

Check for and empty any saucers under potted plants after watering or rain.
Clean birdbaths every 2-3 days with fresh water.
Ensure your yard has good drainage. Fill in low spots where puddles form.
Fix leaky outdoor faucets and hose connections.
Keep gutters clean and flowing so water doesn’t pool in them.

Consider Biological Controls

Nature has its own pest controllers. You can encourage them.

Bird Feeders and Baths: Attracting birds to your yard means they will also eat insects, including flies.
Beneficial Nematodes: These are microscopic worms you water into your lawn and garden soil. They target fly larvae (maggots) in the ground, interrupting the breeding cycle. This is a great preventative measure.
Predatory Insects: While not for everyone, some gardeners introduce certain non-stinging wasp species that parasitize fly pupae. This is usually for large-scale or farm settings.

Maintain a Regular Routine

Fly control isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing practice.

Create a simple weekly checklist: take out the trash, clean the grill, refresh your natural spray, check for standing water, and empty traps. A few minutes of maintenance prevents a major problem later.

Seasonal changes matter too. In spring, focus on cleaning up winter debris. In late summer and fall, be extra vigilant about fallen fruit and composting.

What to Avoid

Some common mistakes can make your fly problem worse.

Avoid using overly sweet or meat-based baits very close to your patio. They can attract more flies than they kill initially.
Don’t leave outdoor pet food bowls out for long periods. Feed your pets at set times and then pick up the bowl.
Skip the bug zappers that electrocute insects. Studies show they kill more beneficial insects than pests and can scatter insect parts.
Be cautious with widespread pesticide sprays. They can harm pollinators and other beneficial creatures and are often unnecessary with the methods above.

FAQ: Outdoor Fly Control

What is the fastest way to kill flies outside?

A strong patio fan combined with a natural spray made with essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus can provide quick, temporary relief. For immediate reduction, set a homemade vinegar trap at the edge of your yard.

Why are there so many flies on my patio all of a sudden?

A sudden influx usually means a new food or breeding source is nearby. Check for a forgotten trash bag, a dead animal (like a rodent or bird), a pile of wet grass clippings, or overripe fruit on a tree or bush.

Do citronella candles work on flies?

They can help a bit, but their effectiveness is limited and localized. The scent needs to be between you and the flies. They work better as part of a combined strategy with fans and clean-up.

How do I keep flies away from my patio door?

Ensure the door seal is tight. Place a container of repellent plants like basil or lavender right next to the doorway. You can also hang a mesh screen curtain over the door.

What smell do flies hate the most?

Flies strongly dislike the scents of basil, mint, lavender, eucalyptus, and clove. Using these in plant form or as essential oils in a spray can be very effective.

Is there a permanent solution for outdoor flies?

There’s no single permanent solution, but a consistent integrated approach is the closest thing. By removing breeding sites (like standing water and waste), using barriers (fans, screens), and employing traps and repellents, you can keep the population too low to bother you.

Can my neighbor’s habits affect my fly problem?

Unfortunately, yes. If a neighbor has unsecured trash, pet waste, or a poorly managed compost pile, it can attract flies that then visit your patio. A friendly conversation or offering to help them secure their bins might be needed. Focusing on robust control on your own property is your best defense.