Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is home to a diverse range of flies, from the iconic bush fly to the shiny blowfly. With their persistence and penchant for sweat, tears, and food scraps, flies can be a nuisance to humans and a health hazard. However, there are several ways to avoid them. This includes using natural repellents, such as basil, lavender, and essential oils, employing physical barriers like flyscreens and nets, and practising good hygiene by covering food and regularly emptying bins. Additionally, choosing the right location and timing can help, as flies are more prevalent in certain regions and during the morning and afternoon.
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What You'll Learn
- Avoid wearing dark clothing, especially in hot and sweaty conditions
- Use natural fly repellents like lavender, basil, mint, and eucalyptus oil
- Avoid outdoor activity in the morning and afternoon when flies are most active
- Keep your home and garden clean and free of food scraps, bins, and faeces
- Use physical barriers like nets and mesh screens on windows and doors
Avoid wearing dark clothing, especially in hot and sweaty conditions
Flies are an ever-present issue in Australia, especially in the summer. The country plays host to three common types of flies: the housefly, the bushfly, and the blowfly. Bush flies, in particular, are attracted to the sweat and tears of mammals, which is why they tend to linger around our heads, shoulders, and faces.
One way to avoid attracting flies is to avoid wearing dark clothing, especially in hot and sweaty conditions. Bush flies are attracted to dark colours, and they love nothing more than congregating on the back of a hot, sweaty person wearing a dark shirt. Opt for light-coloured clothing instead, and try to stay cool and dry. This will make you less appealing to the flies.
If you're planning to spend time outdoors, especially in the early evening after a hot day, consider avoiding dark colours and opting for light, breathable clothing. You might also want to bring a change of clothes if you're going to be out all day, so you can stay fresh and reduce the risk of becoming a fly magnet.
In addition to this, you can also try other methods to avoid flies, such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and avoiding outdoor activity during the morning and afternoon when flies are most active.
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Use natural fly repellents like lavender, basil, mint, and eucalyptus oil
Natural fly repellents like lavender, basil, mint, and eucalyptus oil can be an effective way to deter flies without resorting to chemical insecticides. These plants possess strong fragrances that can either mask the odors that attract flies or directly repel them. Here are some ways to utilize these natural fly repellents:
Lavender
Lavender is well-known for its soothing and fragrant properties, but it is also effective in deterring flies. The sweet and floral scent of lavender oil can be used as a natural fly repellent. You can place a few drops of lavender oil in a diffuser or mix it with water in a spray bottle to spritz around your home.
Basil
Basil is another herb that can be used as a natural insect repellent. You can make your own basil-based repellent by crushing basil leaves and mixing them with water, or by infusing basil in a carrier oil. Apply this mixture to your skin or use it to wipe down surfaces to create a natural barrier against flies.
Mint
Mint is a versatile herb that can be used to naturally repel flies. Fresh mint leaves can be placed in small bowls and positioned in areas where flies frequently gather. Alternatively, you can blend mint leaves with other ingredients, such as garlic and cayenne pepper, to create a natural bug spray. Dried mint leaves can also be used to fill sachets, which can be placed in hard-to-reach areas to deter flies.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a potent essential oil that can effectively repel flies. Its robust, camphor-like aroma is unappealing to flies. Mix eucalyptus oil with water and lavender oil to create a natural fly repellent spray. You can also use eucalyptus oil in a diffuser to fill a room with its fly-repelling fragrance.
While these natural fly repellents are effective, they may need to be reapplied periodically and may be more suited to enclosed spaces. For severe fly infestations, more comprehensive pest control methods may be necessary.
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Avoid outdoor activity in the morning and afternoon when flies are most active
Flies are a common problem in Australia, with the country playing host to three common types of flies: the housefly, the bushfly and the blowfly. Bush flies are the most iconic, found countrywide and known for lingering around humans' heads, shoulders and faces in search of a drink of sweat or tears.
If you want to avoid flies, it's best to avoid outdoor activity in the morning and afternoon when flies are most active. This is especially true in the summer months, when flies are at their worst.
If you're in an area with a lot of flies, such as the Australian outback, it's a good idea to wear a fly net or a hat with a "veil" of net to keep the flies away from your face. You can also try the Aussie salute of waving your hand in front of your face to move the flies away.
To avoid attracting flies, make sure to keep your food covered and your bins empty and closed at all times. Regularly remove unwanted fruit and vegetables, both from inside your home and outside in your garden, as these can attract fruit flies and vinegar flies.
There are also natural fly repellents you can make at home using essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus, catnip, neem, soybean and cedar. You can also try hanging strips of cloth soaked in eucalyptus oil around windows, or placing lemon halves and cloves on window sills.
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Keep your home and garden clean and free of food scraps, bins, and faeces
Keeping your home and garden clean and free of food scraps, bins, and faeces is essential for preventing flies. Here are some detailed tips to help you achieve this:
Food Scraps
Flies are attracted to decomposing organic matter, especially food waste. To prevent this, ensure that all food scraps are properly disposed of and not left out in the open. Segregate food waste from other garbage and wrap it tightly in biodegradable bags. For particularly pungent waste, such as spoiled meat or fish, consider double-bagging it to add an extra layer of protection against odours that attract flies. You can also use airtight bin liners designed to seal in odours and prevent flies from accessing the waste. Look for liners labelled as fly-proof or odour-resistant.
Bins
Keep your bins clean and odour-free. Wash your bins regularly using hot water and a mild detergent to remove any residue and odours that may attract flies. You can also deodorise your bins using natural remedies such as essential oils. Mix a few drops of lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, or citrus essential oils with water and spray the solution around the bin area. Refresh the spray every few days to maintain its effectiveness.
Faeces
Clear up animal droppings frequently to prevent flies from breeding. Stable Flies, for example, are associated with livestock and can bite people and animals. If you have pets, change their bedding regularly and clean the area to prevent Stable Flies from breeding. For outdoor entertainment areas, consider screening to keep flies and Biting Midges (Sand Flies) out. Standard mesh will not work for Midges; instead, use a finer 'midge' mesh with 20 x 20 openings per inch.
Additionally, when spending time outdoors, consider wearing insect repellent and/or long-sleeved clothing to protect yourself from flies and Midge bites. You can also wear insect screen hats to prevent flies from crawling into your eyes, a common issue with Bush Flies. If you're in an area with a lot of flies, you might want to learn the "Aussie Salute"—a common practice where you wave your hand in front of your face to shoo away the flies!
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Use physical barriers like nets and mesh screens on windows and doors
If you're looking to avoid flies in Australia, one of the most effective methods is to use physical barriers such as nets and mesh screens on windows and doors. This is a common practice in Australian homes, and for good reason—it works!
The Australian climate can be quite hot, and keeping your windows and doors closed at all times may not be ideal or practical. That's where fly screens come in. These screens are designed to cover open windows and doors, allowing fresh air to flow through while keeping those pesky flies and other insects out.
There are a variety of options available when it comes to fly screens. You can choose from different materials such as PVC-coated fibreglass, aluminium, stainless steel, or even solar screens, each offering unique benefits like corrosion resistance or superior strength. The size of the mesh weave is also important—the tighter the weave, the better the insect protection, but this may come at the cost of reduced airflow and interrupted views. So be sure to consider your specific needs and preferences when selecting a screen.
Installation is another factor to consider. You can opt for do-it-yourself installation or engage the services of a professional handyman or specialised provider. While DIY options may be more cost-effective, a trusted fly screen provider will ensure you get the right type of screen for your needs and can offer features like retractable screens that blend seamlessly into your home's design.
With the right fly screens in place, you can enjoy the breeze without the flies, creating a more relaxing and hygienic space in your home.
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Frequently asked questions
Flies are attracted to food and food scraps, so make sure to cover your food and wrap food waste tightly. Keep your bins clean and empty them regularly. Avoid wearing dark clothing, especially if you're wearing a shirt, as flies love nothing more than congregating on the back of a hot, sweaty person wearing a dark shirt. If you're going to be outdoors, wear long sleeves and trousers and use insect repellent.
You can make your own fly repellent spray by using a spray bottle mixed with water and one of the following: lemon eucalyptus, catnip, neem, soybean, cedar, pine, thyme, vetiver, bergamot, peppermint, or tea tree. You can also use physical barriers such as nets on prams and cots and mesh screens on windows and doors.
Flies are mostly found in the Australian outback, such as Broken Hill, Uluru, and Alice Springs. They are also more prevalent in the summer and after a hot day in the early evening.
