Bottle flies, also called blow flies, are commonly larger than common house flies, and they are a shiny blue-green. You may notice them hovering around decomposed plants, grass clippings, or rotten meat, and they make an audible buzzing noise.
They seem harmless, but they can transmit diseases from the decomposed material they feed on, such as E-coli. Fly swatters can help reduce them slightly, but swatting the flies isn't always so simple. Luckily, you can still remove the bottle fly problem by following these steps.
Control the Environment to Get Rid of Bottle Flies
Store food in secure containers in the freezer or refrigerator. Don't let the garbage get out of control. Set the garbage out of pickup once a week, and keep the area the trash can sits clean. Rinse the trash can often with bleaching solution, and cover it with a tight lid.
Check the yard for rotting carcasses, rotting vegetation, and poorly kept compost. If you notice small white worms with pointed heads, vacuum them immediately, and discard the bag outside. Bury animal carcasses a foot deep, or dispose of it in a tightly sealed bag.
Contact a plumber, if you notice the flies near plumbing. It could mean you have a leak in the pipe allowing sewage to get below the pipes.
Locate gaps around the house, seal them with caulk, and ensure screens are secured tightly. Set mouse traps instead of poison, since the mouse may crawl off when they eat the poison. If you use compost piles, keep them at a safe distance from the house.
Make a Natural Fly Repellent
Fill a spray bottle slightly over half full with undiluted white vinegar and five large drops of liquid dish soap. Add a cinnamon stick and one tablespoon of eucalyptus oil. Shake the bottle well to combine ingredients, and then spray the bugs.
Cayenne pepper repulses flies. Mix a small amount of cayenne pepper and water in a spray bottle, then spray it on windows and under doors.
Use Commercial Treatment
Buy a sticky trap, and hang it in the window, and tie the curtains back so they won't stick to it. The inside lights should draw the bugs to the trap.
Some trap shave fragrances to attract the flies. Special fly lights are designed to repel flies from the house. Flypaper is designed to trap the fly on the surface using an attractive scent. Stick it on the window or entry point, and peel it off when it gets full. If the infestation is large, you may need commercial pesticides or a home pest control service.
