How to get rid of flies in your house (the right way)

Flies on top of a bread

Updated October 8, 2025

Identify the fly (house fly, fruit fly or drain fly). Remove what feeds it—lidded trash, wiped counters, clean drains. Trap light-seekers at windows with The Fly Inn Flying Insects Trap. For fruit flies, set Sweet Surrender Fruit Fly Trap near produce. Use Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray for quick knockdown, then prevent the comeback with simple weekly habits. 

How to identify house flies vs. fruit flies vs. drain flies

Not all “flies” are the same. A 10-second ID saves you time and puts the right tool in the right place.

Pest Quick ID (look for) Where you’ll see them What’s attracting them First step
Housefly Gray, larger than a pea; clear wings; noisy, erratic flight At sunny windows, doors, kitchens Open doors/screens, uncovered trash, food residue Close entry points, secure lids on bins, wipe surfaces; trap at windows with The Fly Inn
Fruit fly Tiny, tan/yellow; red or dark eyes; slow hover Around fruit bowls, compost, sink area Overripe fruit, sticky spills, recycling Remove/cover produce; set Sweet Surrender near the source
Drain fly (moth fly) Very small; fuzzy/triangular “moth-like” wings; short hops Hovering over sinks, showers, floor drains Organic buildup in drain pipes, traps Clean the drain (scrub biofilm + hot water); do not use fruit-fly bait

The common house fly—also written as housefly—behaves differently from fruit flies and drain flies, so correct ID saves time.

Tip: If they cluster on sunny glass, think houseflies. If they swarm fruit or vinegar, fruit flies. If they dance over a single drain, drain flies. Next up: your quick, five-step fix.

Quick fix checklist (5 steps)

How to get rid of flies in house—fast

1. Remove attractants (now)
Lid trash and compost. Wipe counters. Rinse recyclables. Toss or cover overripe fruit. Clean pet areas.

Insect Eviction Kit

2. Trap light-seekers at windows
Place The Fly Inn at the bottom edge of your busiest windows (flies show positive phototaxis). Swap inserts when full. 

3. Target fruit flies
Set Sweet Surrender by produce or the sink zone. One pour typically lasts ~6 weeks; up to 8 uses per refill. Not for drain flies.

4. Knock down flies and leave light residual
Use Six Feet Under for contact kill. For ongoing help, lightly mist porous surfaces (baseboards, entry frames) for up to ~30 days, when used as directed. 

5. Block the comeback
Close doors/screens, fix gaps and run a fan facing outward when airing out. Keep bins sealed and wiped.

Safety: Always use products as directed. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not apply to skin or animals.

Prevention routine (weekly)

Here’s how to eliminate flies long-term: a simple, once-a-week sweep that stops problems before they start.

Clean trashbins with lids
  • Check screens & seals: Inspect window and door screens; repair any tears or gaps in screens and weatherstripping.
  • Tighten lids & bins: Confirm indoor and outdoor trash/compost bins have tight-fitting lids; replace warped lids and carefully bag garbage to prevent breakage.
  • Clean bins: Wash the inside and lid of bins. A mild borax + water solution (used as directed) helps reduce odors that attract flies.
  • Tidy the yard: Don’t leave grass clippings or leaves to decay near the house; move yard waste away from entry points.
  • Clear drains (if drain-fly risk): Scrub the inner collar/stopper to remove biofilm, then flush with hot water; run water in rarely used drains.
  • Maintain products: Check The Fly Inn weekly and swap inserts when full; refresh Sweet Surrender on its normal cycle (~6 weeks), and spot-treat with Six Feet Under as needed—always as directed.

Everyday & situational habits

  • Daily: Keep doors and unscreened windows closed; wipe spills; don’t leave dirty dishes out; rinse cans/bottles/containers before recycling; bag garbage carefully; scoop litter and pick up pet waste.
  • As needed (immediate): Promptly remove any dead animals from the yard or home area.
  • Situational: When airing out, point a fan toward the open door to push flies outside.

Where each product fits

The Fly Inn on a sunny glass window
  • The Fly Inn—For houseflies and other light-seeking insects on windows. Place at the bottom edge of busy windows so insects enter at the wide top opening. Discreet design hides catches; kit includes 2 traps + 4 inserts.
  • Sweet Surrender—For fruit flies only. Set near produce or sink zones. One pour typically lasts ~6 weeks; up to 8 uses per refill. Not for drain flies.
  • Six Feet Under—For fast contact kill and light residual on porous surfaces (e.g., baseboards, door frames) for up to ~30 days when used as directed.

Related reading

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Content Strategist & Eco-Living Advocate

Julie Miller

Julie is Dr. Killigan’s in-house writer and content strategist with a passion for science-backed, natural living. She holds a degree in Language Arts and brings over a decade of writing experience to the team. At Dr. Killigan’s, she works closely with the product and customer experience teams to ensure every article delivers accurate, helpful and trustworthy information. When she’s not writing, Julie is tending her vast array of indoor plants, crafting homemade moisturizers or fermenting carrots with her children.

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