Why Are There So Many Flies In My Yard & How to Stop Them

Why are there so many flies in my yard? Flies are likely in your yard because they have found things they love. These things are usually food sources and places to lay eggs. They look for trash, pet waste, old food, and other decaying matter. Getting rid of these things is the main way to stop a fly infestation outside.

Flies can be a real bother. A few flies are normal. But when you see many flies, it means something is bringing them in. This points to a source of flies outside your home. Finding and removing this source is the key step to get rid of flies in yard spaces.

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Figuring Out Why Flies Are Here

Flies don’t just appear from nowhere. Something in your yard is attracting them. Flies need food and a place to lay eggs. Their eggs hatch into maggots. These maggots live in decaying stuff. Then they turn into flies. If you have many flies, you likely have a good spot for them to breed.

What attracts flies outdoors? Many things. Most of them relate to food and wet places.

Common Causes of Flies in Backyard Spaces

Flies are drawn to specific smells and materials. If you have a lot of flies, check these areas:

• Your trash cans: This is a very common spot. Garbage can flies love open bins. They find leftover food. They find smelly things. This is a perfect place for them to breed.
• Pet waste: Dog or cat poop left in the yard is a big draw. Pet waste flies gather quickly. They feed on the waste. They lay eggs in it.
• Old food or spills: Did you have a picnic? Or a BBQ? Food scraps left out bring flies. Even small spills of sweet drinks or meat juices can attract them. Fallen fruit from trees is also a problem.
• Standing water: Flies need water. Water on tarps, in old tires, or clogged gutters can be a source. Wet ground from leaky pipes or overwatering can also attract them.
• Compost piles: Compost is rotting stuff. This is exactly what some flies need. Compost pile flies are common. They feed on the decaying plants and food scraps. They breed there too.
• Dead animals: A dead mouse, bird, or other small animal is a strong attractant. Flies will find it fast. They will lay eggs on it.
• Drains outside: Outdoor drains can trap smelly gunk. This gunk attracts flies.
• Overripe plants: Plants that are dying or have rotting parts can attract flies.

These sanitation issues yard problems are often the main source of flies outside.

Locating the Main Source

You see many flies. Where are they coming from? Finding the source of flies outside is important. It helps you know what to clean or remove.

Here is how to look for the source:

1. Follow the flies: Watch where the flies go. Do they mostly hang around the trash cans? Are they near the dog kennel? Are they flying from under a deck?
2. Check smelly areas: What parts of your yard smell bad? Flies are drawn to smells. Check your trash bins. Check pet areas. Check your compost.
3. Look for maggots: Finding maggots tells you where flies are breeding. Maggots look like small, white worms. You might find them in trash. You might see them in pet waste. Check decaying plants. Check any moist, smelly spots. If you see maggots, you found the source.
4. Inspect specific items: Look closely at likely spots. Lift the lid of the trash can. Look under decks or sheds. Check around outdoor sinks or drains. Look under bushes for dead animals.

Once you find the main spots, you can start cleaning them up.

Strategies to Get Rid of Flies in Your Yard

Getting rid of flies is best done by removing what they like. This is the most lasting way to stop a fly infestation outside. You can use outdoor fly control methods. But cleaning up the source works best.

Improving Sanitation in Your Yard

This is the most important step. Flies come for food and breeding sites. Take those away.

• Dealing with Garbage Can Flies:

  • Use tight lids: Make sure your outdoor trash cans have lids that close well. This keeps flies out. It also keeps smells in.
  • Bag your trash well: Put all food waste in sealed bags before putting it in the bin. This limits smells and access.
  • Clean your bins often: Trash cans get dirty. Food bits and liquids stay at the bottom. Wash your trash cans regularly. Use a hose. You can use soap and water. Rinse them well. Let them dry.
  • Consider bin liners: Large plastic bags made for trash cans can help keep them cleaner.
  • Store bins properly: Keep bins away from sunny, warm spots if possible. Heat makes smells worse.

• Handling Pet Waste Flies:

  • Clean up waste right away: Don’t leave pet waste in the yard. Pick it up daily. Put it in a sealed bag. Put the bag in a trash can with a tight lid.
  • Use a dedicated bin: Some people use a small, lidded bin just for pet waste. Make sure it closes tightly. Empty it often.
  • Wash the area: If pet waste was on a hard surface, rinse it clean.

• Cleaning Up Food Spills:

  • Clean outdoor eating areas: After BBQs or parties, clean tables and ground well. Pick up all food scraps.
  • Gather fallen fruit: If you have fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit every day or two. This fruit rots quickly. Rotting fruit is a fly magnet.
  • Clean grills: Clean your outdoor grill after use. Leftover grease and food bits attract flies.

• Managing Water and Moisture:

  • Get rid of standing water: Check for places water collects. Old tires, buckets, plant pots, tarps. Empty them.
  • Fix leaky pipes: Repair any outdoor leaks. Dripping water keeps the ground wet.
  • Improve drainage: If areas of your yard stay wet, look at drainage. Maybe you need to change watering habits or add soil to level low spots.
  • Clean gutters: Clogged gutters hold water and decaying leaves. This attracts flies. Clean them out.

• Dealing with Compost Pile Flies:

  • Cover your compost: Use a bin with a lid. Or cover the pile with a tarp. This helps keep flies out. It also keeps heat in, which helps the compost break down faster.
  • Bury food scraps: When adding food scraps (like fruit or vegetable peels), bury them deep inside the pile. Don’t leave them on top.
  • Balance materials: Have a good mix of green (wet, like food scraps) and brown (dry, like leaves, paper). This helps the pile break down better and can reduce smells.

• Removing Other Sources:

  • Check for dead animals: Look under bushes, decks, and in sheds for any small dead animals. Safely remove them. Seal them in a bag. Put the bag in a tightly closed trash can.
  • Trim dead plants: Remove dying or rotting plant parts from your garden.

These sanitation steps are your best defense. They tackle the root causes of flies in backyard spaces.

Physical Fly Control Methods

After cleaning, you can use other methods to catch or kill flies that are still around. These are outdoor fly control methods.

• Fly Traps:

  • Sticky traps: These are strips or surfaces with sticky stuff. Flies land on them and get stuck. Hang them near where you see flies. They work. But they can look a bit messy when full of flies.
  • Bait traps: These traps use a smelly bait to lure flies inside. The flies go in but can’t get out. You can buy these. Or you can make simple ones. A plastic bottle with a sweet liquid (like sugar water or fruit) or vinegar can work. Cut the top off. Flip it over. Put it in the bottom part. Put bait inside. Flies fly into the wide opening. They get stuck. These work well for large numbers of flies. But be aware, they smell bad because they are full of dead flies. Place them away from your main living areas.
  • Electronic fly zappers: These use light to attract flies. Then they zap them with electricity. They kill flies. But they also make noise. They might not be the best choice if you want a quiet yard. They also don’t stop flies from breeding. They just kill adult flies.

• Barriers:

  • Screens: Make sure screens on doors and windows are in good repair. This keeps flies from coming inside your house from the yard. While this doesn’t get rid of yard flies, it stops them from bothering you indoors.

Using Natural Methods

Some natural methods may help.

• Plants: Some plants are said to repel flies. Things like basil, lavender, mint, rosemary, and marigolds. Plant them near doors or outdoor seating areas. Their effect might be small. But they make your yard look nice and smell good.
• Essential Oils: Mix water with drops of peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, or citronella oil. Put the mix in a spray bottle. Spray around outdoor areas where flies gather. Test a small spot first on surfaces. These smells might help keep some flies away. But you need to spray often.
• Vinegar traps: As mentioned with bait traps, apple cider vinegar is a common lure. Put some in a jar. Add a drop of dish soap (this breaks the water tension so flies sink). Cover the top with plastic wrap. Poke small holes in the wrap. Flies are drawn to the vinegar smell. They get trapped.

Chemical Fly Control (Use with Care)

Chemicals can kill flies quickly. But they should be a last resort. Always follow label directions exactly. Be careful around kids, pets, and food.

• Insecticide Sprays: You can buy sprays that kill flies on contact. Some are for use outside. Spray them on surfaces where flies rest. Or spray directly on flies. Use these sparingly. They can harm helpful bugs too.
• Granules/Baits: Some products come as granules or baits that you spread in areas flies visit. Flies eat the bait and die. Use these in areas not used by pets or kids.
• Larvicides: These products kill maggots. If you find a breeding spot you can’t fully clean (like a storm drain), a larvicide might help.

Chemicals kill flies that are there now. But they don’t stop new ones from coming if the source is still there. Fixing the sanitation issues yard problems is always the best plan.

Keeping Flies Away Long Term

Stopping flies is not a one-time job. You need to keep things clean. This prevents new flies from coming.

• Make a cleaning routine:
  • Clean up pet waste every day.
  • Empty small outdoor trash bins often.
  • Rinse main trash cans regularly (every few weeks or monthly in warm weather).
  • Check for standing water after rain.
  • Pick up fallen fruit and other organic waste often.
• Educate your family: Make sure everyone helps keep the yard clean. Kids should know to clean up after themselves outside.
• Talk to neighbors: If you have a lot of flies, maybe a neighbor’s yard has a source. This can be tricky to talk about. But maybe they don’t know there’s a problem.
• Seal openings: Check your house for cracks or openings. Seal them. This keeps flies from coming inside, even if they are in the yard.
• Maintain compost properly: Keep adding to your compost in a way that limits flies (bury scraps, cover the pile).

By keeping your yard clean and removing potential food and breeding sites, you greatly reduce the chance of a large fly infestation outside. You remove the things that attract flies outdoors. You make your yard a less welcome place for them. This is the best way to get rid of flies in yard areas and keep them away for good.

Putting It All Together: A Plan to Reduce Flies

Here is a simple plan to follow:

1. Find the problem: Walk around your yard. Look for trash, pet waste, old food, wet spots, smells. This helps you find the source of flies outside.
2. Clean aggressively: This is the most vital step for outdoor fly control. Remove all the sources you found. Clean trash cans. Pick up pet waste. Clean spills. Get rid of standing water. Manage your compost. Address any sanitation issues yard can have.
3. Keep it clean: Set up a regular cleaning plan. Do these cleanup jobs often. This prevents the return of garbage can flies, pet waste flies, and compost pile flies. It stops new fly infestation outside.
4. Use tools (if needed): If flies are still bad after cleaning, use traps or other control methods. Place bait traps away from where people gather. Use sticky traps in problem spots.
5. Check for entry points: Make sure screens on your house are good.

By focusing on cleanliness first, you solve the core issue. Then, you can use other methods to catch or kill the flies that are left. But without cleaning, the flies will just keep coming back because the source is still there.

TABLE: Common Fly Attractants and Solutions

Fly Attractant	Why Flies Like It	How to Solve It
Trash Cans (Garbage)	Food source, breeding spot	Use tight lids, bag trash well, clean bins often
Pet Waste	Food source, breeding spot	Clean up daily, use sealed bags
Food Scraps / Spills	Food source	Clean outdoor eating areas, pick up fallen fruit, clean grills
Standing Water	Drinking source, some fly types breed here	Empty water sources, fix leaks, improve drainage
Compost Piles	Food source, breeding spot	Cover pile, bury food scraps, balance materials
Dead Animals / Plants	Food source, breeding spot	Remove safely and quickly
Outdoor Drains / Wet areas	Food source (gunk), wet place for some bugs	Clean drains, fix wet spots

This table shows the main reasons for flies. It shows the simple steps to fix them. Addressing these points is key to getting rid of flies in yard areas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yard Flies

Here are some common questions people ask about flies in their yard.

Q: How long does it take to get rid of flies?
A: Once you clean up the source, you will see fewer flies quickly. Adult flies that were already there will die off. Their eggs will not hatch if the food source is gone or cleaned. You might see a big drop in flies in a few days. Keeping it clean is key to keep them away.

Q: Will fly spray kill all the flies?
A: Sprays kill flies they hit. But they don’t stop new flies from hatching. Or new flies from coming from a nearby source. Spraying alone is not a long-term fix if you have a big problem. You must clean up the source.

Q: Are flies in my yard harmful?
A: Flies can carry germs. They land on trash and waste. Then they can land on your food or outdoor surfaces. This can spread dirt and germs. A large number of flies also just makes being outside unpleasant.

Q: Can flies breed in grass or soil?
A: Most common flies like house flies breed in decaying organic matter. This is often found on the ground, in trash, or in piles of waste. Very wet, dirty soil or decaying grass clippings could attract them or offer a spot to lay eggs. But it’s usually something more specific like pet waste or trash that is the main breeding site.

Q: What if my neighbor’s yard is the problem?
A: This is hard. You can try keeping your yard extra clean. This makes your yard less appealing to flies coming from next door. You could also try talking to your neighbor nicely about the problem. Maybe they don’t know about the sanitation issues yard problems in their space.

Q: Do certain times of year have more flies?
A: Yes. Flies are usually worse in warmer months. Spring, summer, and early fall are peak times. Cold weather kills adult flies and their eggs.

Q: Can plants really keep flies away?
A: Some plants might repel flies a little with their smell. But they won’t solve a big fly problem. Think of them as a small help, not a main solution. Cleaning up sources is much more effective.

Q: What is the difference between house flies and other flies?
A: House flies are the most common type you see. They are attracted to many things like trash and food. Other flies, like drain flies or fruit flies, are often attracted to specific things or places (drains, rotting fruit indoors). The flies in your yard causing a large fly infestation outside are most likely house flies or similar filth flies attracted to waste.

Q: Is a fly infestation outside normal?
A: A few flies are normal. Seeing many flies, a true fly infestation outside, is not normal. It means there is a strong attractant or breeding site nearby.

Conclusion: Cleanliness is Key

Seeing many flies in your yard is a sign. It means there is something there the flies really like. Usually, this is food or a place to lay eggs. These are often found in trash, pet waste, or other decaying matter.

Finding the source of flies outside is the first step. Then, cleaning up that source is the best way to get rid of flies in yard spaces. Focus on sanitation issues yard problems. Keep trash cans clean. Pick up pet waste daily. Clean up outdoor food areas. Get rid of standing water. Manage your compost pile well.

These simple, consistent cleaning steps are the most effective outdoor fly control methods. They remove what attracts flies outdoors. This stops new flies from being born. While traps and sprays can kill flies that are present, they don’t fix the main reason the flies are there. By keeping your yard clean, you make it an unwelcome place for flies. This helps reduce the fly infestation outside and lets you enjoy your yard more.