Houseflies
Essential Oils and Other Countermeasures

We all agree I am sure, that houseflies – in or out of the house – are unpleasant and pesky little creatures.  They get on our nerves but, worse yet, they too often carry sickness and disease with them as they buzz about, landing on available surfaces and parking themselves on any food left about.   And also, they breed and breed and breed!

The scientific name of the common housefly is Musca domestica.  The only possible positive use for a housefly that I can see – other than to try our patience – is as a homeopathic or blessed water remedy.  The symptom picture of  Musca domestica homeopathic/blessed water is quite interesting so I have included some information at the end of this article.

Housefly Habitats

Houseflies can survive in all climates and temperatures.  They have learned to survive and even thrive, on such diverse things as stagnant pools of water, on garbage, and even on animal feces.  In fact, flies breed very fast in the moist environment of fresh animal feces.  In addition, any type of moist garbage or decaying plant material makes a good breeding ground for flies.

As annoying as houseflies are during the day, they do not move about much in the night time.   This is a very great blessing.  At least we are, mostly, safe from being landed upon by flies while we are sleeping.

Are Common Houseflies Harmless?

Flies do love to feed and breed in animal manure and other waste products!  Because of this, they are very likely to pick up pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes (parasitic worms of many varieties).  The common housefly is said to carry a whole list of diseases.  Some of these include conjunctivitis (this is worrisome), gastroenteritis (as is this), Salmonella, Dysentery, Tuberculosis, Shigella (symptoms similar to the flu), E-coli, and Typhoid fever.  Flies carrying disease is, also a more serious problem in parts of the world where sanitation is a problem.

Bacteria and other disease agents spread to humans as flies land on us and on our food or eating utensils.  A fly, as you well know, may land anywhere.  Landing areas include children’s toys, a very scary thought.

Solutions for Getting Rid of Houseflies

Essential Oil Solutions

If a plant is known to repel flying insects, the essential oil will also have this property.  Also, the essential oil is stronger, easier to use, and easier to store and have on hand.

#1  Ginger

Ginger was originally tested on bovine (pig) farms.  Under circumstances existing on such farms, flies multiply incredibly fast!  Surely, if Ginger worked there, it will likely work everywhere else.  The strong odor of Ginger irritates flies.   The flies look, almost immediately, for more comfortable environments.  Make a spray of Ginger essential oil and water or powdered Ginger and water.  Use this spray around the house, in areas where you keep garbage cans, and in any other areas where flies seem to accumulate.  Be careful.  The powdered Ginger mix may leave stains behind.  Using the essential oil will eliminate that problem for you.

#2  Lemon Eucalyptus

Flies do not like the smell of eucalyptus oil, and thus tend to stay away from it.  Lemon Eucalyptus, according to some people, is thought to repel flies by also confusing them.  The aroma of the Lemon Eucalyptus masks the carbon dioxide and lactic acid that are naturally emitted by humans.  Perhaps this is the way many essential oils work to repel flies.

#4  Other Essential Oils Reputed to Repel Flies

Citronella, catnip, lemongrass, lavender, geranium, peppermint, basil, clove, cinnamon, and cedarwood

#5 ^LeBeGone

^LeBeGone is a blend from Butterfly Express that has several interesting singles in it and seems to be quite effective.  The single oils in this blend are among the best for repelling insects.  This blend was designed to help prevent insect and tick bites. ^LeBeGone has an amazing aroma and is one of my favorite oils to wear, even when not out in the wild. ^LeBeGone contains many oils used for depression, anger, and judgmental attitudes.  ^LeBeGone creates a feeling of being loved and supported.

#6  A Fly Repelling Essential Oils Spray

Using any one or several of  the oils listed above, add 10 drops of each one to a mixture of water and white vinegar – about 2 cups of each.  Some internet sites recommend vodka, rather than vinegar.  Although vinegar does not smell great, in my opinion, it smells much better than vodka.  Be sure to use white vinegar.  Apple cider vinegar attracts flies.  An essential oil mixture such as this one will keep flies out of your house without the use of toxic chemicals.

Other Suggestions

The apple cider vinegar, the sugar, and the fruit smell of the dish soap attracts the flies.   When they land, the soap makes it impossible for them to fly away again.  They die because they drown.

Basil, Catnip, Geranium, or Hot Pepper Plants

Growing either Basil or a hot pepper plant in an herb/flower garden near your home’s entrances will keep the majority of flies from trying to enter your home.  Flies have difficulty breathing because of the strong aromas of these two plants.   Capsicum annum, common cayenne pepper, is very effective.  It is also a pretty little plant.  Tincture the extra peppers in vodka and water – leaving some on the plant for bug repellent purposes.  If I could have only one tincture in my house, cayenne would certainly be in the running as an excellent choice.

Fans

Having fans going in your house will not get rid of flies.  It will, however, keep them out of the area in which the fan is blowing.  I often have a fan going near me in the summer.  Not so much because I am too hot but to keep a stray fly or two from annoying me as I work.

Some Do’s and Don’ts for Fly Control

~  Do not leave food items uncovered.  Clean up spilled juice – or anything else – immediately.
~  Always use garbage bags in garbage cans.  Wetness, especially wetness that is sticky, in the bottom of the garbage can is a perfect breeding ground for flies.
~  The drip trays beneath fridges and freezer units may provide a moist breeding area for flies.  Clean these trays regularly to avoid this scenario.
~  Keep sinks and other areas with drains clean as these may, potentially, become breeding grounds for flies.
~  Constantly and consistently clean up behind animals and pets who frequent your yard space.
~  Cracks in bathroom tiles (or any other place with tiles) can accumulate film that is filled with bacteria.  Check for cracks and clean them out thoroughly.  If possible, get them repaired.
~  Do not let garbage or half-eaten food accumulate anywhere in or around your house.

Musca Domestica Blessed Water

As promised, for fun (and information), I am going to list a few of the symptoms here. This is a very interesting remedy, there are several things this remedy might be useful for.

Symptoms

Mental/Emotional

~ Lack of vital heat or heat alternating with chilliness
~ Weakness with restlessness; Restlessness with pain; Restlessness driving one from place to place
~ Industrious (not a bad thing unless overdone)
~ Extravagant
~ Irresolute; therefore, quite unable to make a decision and stick to it
~ Impatient with children; easily angered
~  Anxiety felt mostly when alone
~ Memory weakness; forgetfulness; confusion of mind; rapid thoughts
~  Despairing, hopeless; dwelling on past disagreeable circumstances; subsequently, despair and even suicidal thoughts

Physical

~ Dull, throbbing pain in the back; tension in neck and shoulders; pain in the coccyx
~ Radiating pain in the chest; pain often gas trapped in the center of the chest
~ Ears are sensitive to noise of high pitch; cutting, aching pain in the ears
~ Eruptions on forehead; herpetic eruption on the lower lip and the corner of the mouth
~ Headache with pressure along the front or at the temples; throbbing headache with pain concentrated above the eyes
~ Numbness in arms on waking
~ Throbbing pain in hip; lancing pain in the knee; soreness in the soles of the feet; cold, numb feet; pain in the wrist; pain in shoulder during the night
~ Obstruction and catarrh in the nose
~ Night Sweats
~ A sore throat, especially sore throats with tickling in the ears

Physical

~ Aversion to water; desire chocolate, bacon, vinegar, sour food, and caffeine
~ Vertigo;  light-headed; drifts or falls to the left – worse first thing in the morning or when waking in the middle of the night
~ Blurry vision when reading;  As if a bug was flying in the peripheral sight (interesting!)

Do you get the impression that I love homeopathy?  I think that I will go right out and muscle test to see if I would benefit from this remedy.  There are too many matches here for comfort!  (Hope you enjoyed this little list – a bit, anyway.)

In Conclusion

As you may have guessed, cleanliness and the proper handling of food and garbage are the most important factors in fly control.  That and several very nice fly swats!

Have a wonderful fall season!  

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