How to Kill House Flies

A housefly always seems to find its way in when the weather warms up and dinner is on the stove. Instead of chasing it around the kitchen, use what draws flies in the first place. Here is how to kill house flies quickly and keep them from coming back.

Why house flies are hard to swat but easy to trap

House flies see almost all the way around themselves and spot a swatter coming long before it lands, which is why swatting so often misses. That same eyesight is what makes them easy to trap, because flies are drawn to light and color. In a study of 100 newly emerged houseflies, blue drew more flies than any other color tested, nearly 80% more than a plain gray trap. (The research behind it: What attracts flies?)

How to kill house flies fast and keep them away

Most homes have at least two windows that draw more flies than the rest, and The Fly Inn comes with two traps, so put one on each. Wipe the glass clean, dampen the suction cups slightly so they grip and attach each trap along the bottom edge, following the directions on the package. Its patented lure-and-trap technique uses a blue visual attractant and the light from the window to draw flies into the trap's wide mouth, where they stick to the glue insert, hidden behind its inner walls. For the ones on the counter or the wall, a direct mist of Six Feet Under, made with plant-derived ingredients, drops them on contact. Then remove the invitation: cover food while you cook, wipe up spills and keep the trash can lid closed. (Related read: Is a fly on food really that bad?)

Kill house flies, then keep them gone

• Trap the fliers: keep The Fly Inn on your two busiest windows and swap inserts as they fill.
• Spot-treat: mist Six Feet Under on any fly you see and let it dry. On counters and tables, wipe it up instead.
• Cover up: lids on food, spills wiped and the trash lid closed.
• Close the entry: fix torn screens and keep doors shut during the warm, active hours.

Related: Natural house flies control and How to get rid of house flies in the garbage.

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