Reclaim your indoor garden from pesky flies with our easy fix on how to get rid of flies from indoor plants. In this post, we provide effective solutions for eliminating these irritating insects and creating a healthier environment for your houseplants.
If you’re looking for expert tips on keeping gnats off houseplants, our post on how to keep gnats off houseplants offers helpful guidance.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Houseplant flies are a common indoor plant pest that includes fungus gnats, fruit flies, and whiteflies. |
| Overwatering and poor drainage can create a hospitable environment for houseplant flies to thrive. |
| To prevent houseplant flies, avoid overwatering and ensure proper drainage in your plant pots. |
| Sticky traps, insecticidal soap, or neem oil can be used to get rid of houseplant flies. |
| Houseplant flies may be a nuisance but typically don’t pose a serious threat to the health of your indoor plants. |
For those curious about what kind of houseplants cats can safely eat, our article on what kind of house plants can cats eat provides valuable information. Dive in and learn how to rid your indoor garden of unwanted flies and create a thriving environment for your plants.
Use Citrus Spray
The citric acid in lemon, lime and orange juices is a natural fly repellent. Citrus fruit also has germicidal properties that can help keep plants healthy.
To make your own fly-repelling spray, mix one part water to one or two parts citrus juice and apply it to the leaves of the plant with a spray bottle.
You can also spray the stems and roots of your indoor plants with this mixture if you wish. When applying this mixture on larger plants such as palms and bromeliads (those funky looking tropical houseplants), dilute it further so that it won’t burn the leaves or kill some beneficial microbes living in their soil
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Spray Perennial Plants with Garlic Spray
To make garlic spray:
- Crush 5-6 bulbs of garlic and add 1 cup of water to the crushed bulbs.
- Blend this mixture in a blender until it’s smooth and all the clumps are gone.
- Strain out any pieces that may be left over using cheesecloth or a coffee filter. You want to keep these small, so you don’t accidentally end up planting them in your garden!
Practice Good Indoor Plant Maintenance
Practice good indoor plant maintenance. The best way to prevent flies from being attracted to your indoor plants is by keeping them healthy and well-maintained with regular waterings and proper fertilization.
This means that you should be removing dead leaves, watering the plants regularly, and using a fertilizer that is appropriate for that particular type of plant.
Fertilizers come in several different forms: some are organic (usually derived from manure), while others are synthetic or chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are usually more expensive than synthetic ones because they are not as readily available commercially;
however, they typically provide better results when dealing with pests such as flies because they don’t contain any harmful chemicals which could harm your pets or children if ingested accidentally.
You can find organic fertilizers online or at local home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot; however many gardeners prefer growing their own food instead of purchasing it at the store so that they know exactly what went into growing their food!
Use Flypaper
Flypaper is a great option for your outdoor plants. Although you can use it indoors, the sticky paper doesn’t work well with indoor surfaces. Instead, consider using some kind of flytrap (like a Venus flytrap).
Flypaper works by trapping flies and other bugs on its sticky surface. This way, the plant won’t be able to absorb those nutrients from the insects—and you won’t have to worry about eating them either!
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Maintain Your Recycling and Garbage Cans
The first step in keeping flies away from your plants is to clean out your recycling and garbage cans weekly.
Flies are notorious for laying eggs in food that is left out. This includes old food, leftovers and even pet waste (gross!).
If you don’t keep the inside of your recycling or garbage cans clean, then flies will have a place to lay their eggs.
You also want to make sure that these containers are covered tightly with a lid so that flies cannot get into them.
Finally, remember not to leave anything edible outside on the ground where it can attract pests like ants or roaches.
Get Rid Of Flies From Indoor Plants using Vinegar
Vinegar is an effective fly repellent. It has both a strong smell and taste that repels flies and other pests, so it’s safe for plants. Vinegar can also be used to kill flies directly or as a repellent:
Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 3 tablespoons of dish soap in 2 gallons of water. Put this mixture into a spray bottle, then spray your plants with the mixture every few days until you see results (the more frequently you use the mixture, the better).
If you don’t want to make Homemade Fly Killer Mixture from scratch, you can buy commercial products that do essentially the same thing—just look for those labeled “fly killer.”
Sprinkle crushed mint leaves around your potted plants—the smell will keep flies away!
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Use Herbs to Repel Flies Around the House
To repel flies around the house, it’s worth taking a cue from your favorite great-aunt. Place bowls of herbs in every room where you’ll be spending time—in the kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom (and garden).
You can even place one near the door leading outside so that it’s an extra layer of protection for entering or exiting your home.
Sage, rosemary and mint are good options for this purpose because they have strong scents that will ward off insects and keep them at bay.
Place Fresh Herb Sprigs in a Bouquet of Flowers
Placing fresh herbs around your home is an easy way to repel flies and other unwanted insects. Mint, dill and lavender are all good choices for warding off pests.
If you don’t want to get rid of your indoor plants entirely, try placing them strategically throughout your house with the herbs nearby—you’ll still get enjoyment out of them while also keeping pesky flies at bay.
- Use Herbs to Repel Flies Around Your Entire Garden
Herbs can be used as annoyingly effective barriers against flies when planted outside the house as well! Mint grows easily in most climates and has been known to keep away mosquitoes and fruit flies (as well as just smelling delicious).
Dill is another great herb that will help keep away pesky bugs from gardens; it doubles as a tasty addition to any meal too!
Lavender flowers make a wonderful addition – not only do they smell amazing but they also have proven medicinal benefits such as calming anxiety or insomnia
Place a Bowl of Soapy Water Around the House
Soapy water is a natural fly repellent, and it can be used in the kitchen, bathroom or any other room in your home.
It’s best to place it at least 3 feet away from plants. The soap will attract flies and drown them when they land on top of it!
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Install Window Screens in Your Home
You can also use window screens to keep flies out of your home. Windows are often an open invitation for flies and other insects to enter your house, so be sure to install and repair window screens as needed.
Cleaning window screens regularly is important, too. If you don’t clean them regularly, they can become damaged over time and need replacing before long.
To keep flies from entering through the windows in the spring, install new window screens when you replace the winter curtains with lighter fabrics for springtime.
Remove them again in late fall before putting up heavier drapes that will keep out cold winds instead of letting warm air escape from inside your home by way of open windows during winter months (and vice versa).
Keep Food and Drinks Covered Outdoors
Keep food and drinks covered. Flies are attracted to the smell of food, so keeping your lunch and other snacks covered will help keep them at bay.
Cover dirty dishes right away. Flies love to lay eggs in dirty dishes, so it’s important to wash your utensils as soon as you’re done with them—and don’t leave dirty dishes sitting around on tables or counters!
Don’t leave food scraps out in the yard. This is especially important if you have pets or small children around: flies can be carriers for disease organisms that could harm your family if ingested by accident!
Don’t leave food out on the counter when not eating it—or anywhere else inside your home for that matter!
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Clean Up Spills Right Away
Flies are attracted to the smell of decaying matter and will lay their eggs in it. If you leave a mess, those flies may fly in through your open windows and lay their eggs on your indoor plants. It’s best to clean up spills right away before they become breeding grounds for flies.
If it’s a small spill, use a paper towel to soak it up; if it’s a large spill, use a wet vac or mop. Don’t forget to clean around the area where the spill occurred as well – this includes behind furniture and under tables!
Conclusion
In the end, the best way to keep your home free from flies is by practicing good housekeeping. Keep everything covered and clean, and avoid having food or garbage lying around.
If you are growing plants indoors, make sure that they are not near any windows or doors that could be open during warm weather.
Also watch out for outdoor sources of food such as bird feeders or fruit trees in yards near your house. No matter what steps you take though, there will always be some flies around so expect them when it comes time to enjoy an outdoor barbecue!
Further reading
How do I get rid of flies/fungus gnats in my houseplant? – This article provides helpful tips and methods for controlling fungus gnats and other common indoor plant pests.
The houseplant flies hack taking over TikTok – This article discusses a popular hack for getting rid of houseplant flies that has taken social media by storm.
How to tackle house plant flies – This article provides detailed advice on preventing and eliminating houseplant flies and other common indoor plant pests.
FAQs
What are houseplant flies?
Houseplant flies are a common type of indoor plant pest that includes fungus gnats, fruit flies, and whiteflies. They can be identified by their small size and tendency to swarm around plants.
What causes houseplant flies?
Houseplant flies are typically attracted to moist soil and organic material, such as decaying plant matter. Overwatering and poor drainage can create a hospitable environment for these pests to thrive.
How do I prevent houseplant flies?
To prevent houseplant flies, it’s important to avoid overwatering and ensure proper drainage in your plant pots. You can also use sticky traps or insecticidal soap to catch or repel adult flies.
How do I get rid of houseplant flies?
There are several methods for getting rid of houseplant flies, including using sticky traps, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. It’s also important to reduce moisture levels in your plant soil to discourage fly larvae from hatching.
Are houseplant flies harmful to plants?
While houseplant flies may be a nuisance, they typically don’t pose a serious threat to the health of your indoor plants. However, they can be an indication of overwatering or poor soil drainage, which can eventually harm your plants if left untreated.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.
