Flies in your home during the fall? Here's why and how to deal with this problem

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Fall, as we all know well, brings with it - amongst other things - an inexorable drop in ambient temperatures.

And as fall approaches, many creatures also prepare for their hibernation periods. That said, fall is also a time of the year where certain insects "relocate" into our homes!

Flies are amongst the most unwelcome and annoying of these "guests": why do they enter our homes in the fall and what strategies can we adopt to get rid of them? Let's examine these topics below:

Why flies come into homes during the fall

Starting around September, many insect species begin to look for shelter to survive the upcoming winter.

These insects seek out warm, sheltered places and locations where they can also find water and food - and, of course, the average home satisfies these conditions. Many insect species make themselves "comfortable" in homes during this time of the year. Amongst these "guests", the most common are bedbugs, cockroaches, ants, moths and, above all, highly annoying flies.

Of course, flies do not bite or sting a home's residents (unlike mosquitoes, for example), but they are unhygienic and can spread harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Fortunately, there are a number of all-natural methods you can use to ward off this potential "fly invasion" of your home.

How to prevent flies from entering your home

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There are several things you can do to help keep flies away from your home during the fall:

• Installing mosquito net screens on windows: designed for the summer, mosquito net screens are also effective in keeping flies out of homes during the fall;
• Sealing cracks and gaps around doors and windows: even the smallest crack or gap in a wall can allow insects to enter your home, so it's important for you to seal these properly to deny insects these access points;
• Cleaning: flies are attracted to food residue and dirt so, keeping your house clean will discourage them from entering your abode (and is good for general hygiene standards too). Pay particular attention to areas used by pets, whose food, mess and waste can be a strong attractors for flies;
• Pay attention to your trash: dispose of trash regularly and keep it properly sealed whilst it's still in your house.

All-natural ways to get rid of flies in your home

So, what can you do if flies have already "invaded" your home?

Where this is the case, there are several remedies you can adopt to get rid of them:

• Use alcohol or vinegar for cleaning chores: cleaning the house with a solution of water and alcohol or water and vinegar is an excellent way to eliminate odors in your home which flies find enticing;
• All-natural insecticides: using a pyrethrum-based insecticide spray is an effective and safe product (for humans and pets) that will help to get rid of flies in your home;
• Vinegar and mint leaves: if you prefer to make a DIY insecticide spray to get rid of flies, you can use a solution of vinegar and mint leaves.

What methods do you use to keep flies from entering your home?