We Brits love our conservatories because they bring the outdoors in and flood our homes with light year-round. What we’re not so keen on is the constant buzzing of flies in the summer months. While we put up with pesky flies when dining in the garden, it can be infuriating when they get into your conservatory and can’t find their way out.
To prevent flies in your conservatory, keep the area clear of food debris and try:
- Fly paper or fly traps
- Electric bug zappers
- Ceiling or table fans
- Fly screens or curtains
- Natural repellents like essential oils and herbs
- Pet-safe insect repellents (follow the instructions carefully)
Read on for PMP’s essential guide on how to get rid of flies from your conservatory this summer.
If flies are becoming a serious problem in your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call to discuss our professional fly control services. We operate from our base in Kent throughout London and the entire South East and can help you get rid of flies from your home or business for good.
Why do I get so many flies in my conservatory?
Conservatories can be a bit of a playground for flies. First, they are warm, which they love. They are often decorated with plants, which naturally attract our flying friends.
If you use your conservatory for dining, that can also draw flies in, especially when crumbs or spills go unnoticed. And, while they are mostly busy during daylight hours, as dusk falls and we turn on inside lights, it’s like a B&B sign for flies looking for somewhere to settle for the night!
How do flies get into a closed conservatory?
We all know that flies and other insects can zoom in the second you open the doors, so chances are they’ve just got in undetected. If you are greeted by flies in your conservatory in the morning, there’s a good chance they’ve been in there all night.
Flies can also enter a conservatory through small openings, like tiny gaps around doors and windows. Conservatories often have vents which can also be a pathway for flies if they are not covered properly.
Ways to prevent flies from entering a conservatory
Needless to say, make sure your conservatory is free of anything that is likely to attract flies, like food and drink residue. If your conservatory door is close to a bin store, move it somewhere else if you can or make sure it is well sealed and cleaned regularly, as the lure of rotting meat and vegetables is simply too much for flies to resist.
Unfortunately, in the summer months, that probably won’t be enough to stop flies coming into your conservatory altogether. While many might reach for the fly swatter, if you don’t want to get combative, you may wish to try some of the following preventative measures.
Fly traps and fly paper
A fly trap is the first thing many people think of, whether bought or homemade. Shop-bought fly traps often use chemicals, powders, bait or sticky surfaces to lure flies in.
To make a simple non-toxic trap, create a funnel with a plastic bottle, invert it and fill the bottom with a mixture of water, sugar, and a small amount of vinegar or fruit scraps.
Fly paper, coated with a sticky substance, hangs in infested areas and traps flies on contact. While it’s effective, fly paper is undoubtedly ugly and needs replacing regularly.
Electric bug zappers
These units use UV light to attract flies before zapping them and storing them in a tray for emptying. Wall-mounted units are great for commercial environments, but they are expensive sure aren’t pretty. Homeowners might prefer to try the more inexpensive tabletop type of electric bug zapper.
Fans
Oscillating fans create air movement that flies find difficult to navigate. Ceiling fans can be expensive and are not always worth the investment in the UK. But look out for table-top fly-repellent fans, which are cheaper and worth a shot to keep flies away from the dining table, if not to keep them coming inside altogether.
Door and window screens
Fine mesh screens on windows and doors are very effective at keeping flies out while allowing ventilation. You can get inexpensive magnetic screens that attach to most doors or custom-fit conservatory screens.
Bead or string curtains may not be to everyone’s taste, but there are many different styles on the market, and they can be a very effective way of blocking flies when doors are open.
Natural repellents
Many people swear by using essential oils like citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus to keep flies away. You can make a spray with a few drops of the oil diluted in water to mist around the conservatory. Or seek out posh room sprays or diffusers.
Potted herbs like basil are also thought to be an effective fly deterrent. If you’re good with houseplants, you might even try a carnivorous plant like a Venus Fly Trap to keep insects under control.
Insecticides
Fly spray was once more widely used, but many people are uncomfortable with using chemicals in their homes and around their pets and family. They are smelly at best and can be dangerous to ingest or inhale at worst.
There are natural fly sprays on the market, but always read the label very carefully to ensure they are suitable for indoor use and keep the area well-ventilated.
Got a fly problem? Get in touch with Project Multi Pest
It’s worrying how the odd fly can quickly turn into a serious infestation. Flies are well-known spreaders of diseases like salmonella and E. coli. They can contaminate food and surfaces and aggravate allergies and asthma. If you have a fly infestation at home or at your place of business, there is little else to do but call a professional pest controller.
Project Multi Pest can rid your home and conservatory of persistent fly infestations. Call us today for a quote and say bye-bye to flies this summer.
Frequently asked questions about flies in the conservatory
Is it a good idea to use fly spray in a conservatory?
Using fly spray in a conservatory might seem like a quick and effective way of getting rid of the odd fly, but the fumes can be unpleasant, at least. Many contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans, pets, and plants if inhaled or ingested. Proper ventilation is necessary to avoid the buildup of harmful fumes. Always ensure they are safe for indoor use and follow instructions carefully.
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