Flies are always on the lookout for places to settle with plenty of food, water, and shelter. If you don’t take proper precautions, your garage can offer a hospitable and easily accessible environment for pests such as flies. The key to keeping your garage a fly-free zone is removing anything that might attract a swarm. You can also use devices that trap and eliminate flies en masse.
Here, we’re going to cover the best ways to get rid of flies in your garage and keep them away. We’ll also discuss why flies might be attracted to your garage in the first place to help you nail down the root of the issue. Read on to learn more about how to get rid of flies in your garage for a pest-free property.
Use Traps
If you have flies swarming your garage, you can use specially designed traps to kill large populations quickly and efficiently. There are a variety of different traps you can try to get rid of an active fly infestation.
Poisons and Pesticides
Common pesticides such as Raid can kill flies on contact, helping to reduce population size. You can also find poisoned traps that attract and kill hungry pests. Use pesticides as directed on the packaging to target fly swarms in your garage.
Keep in mind that many poisons designed for bugs can also harm humans. If you use pesticides to treat your fly problem, make sure to use proper protection.
Cover exposed skin and wear eye protection along with a mask or respirator. You should also ensure children and pets don’t come into contact with any poisons you use.
Foggers
Bug foggers, also known as bug bombs, are devices you can use to kill an entire roomful of flies at once. They spray out a mist of toxic chemicals that penetrates every corner of your garage, killing all live flies it contacts.
While foggers can be an effective pest control method, they also release compounds that are dangerous to inhale. You should avoid entering your garage for at least two hours or so after deploying a bug bomb.
Note that the fogger will also leave a coating of pesticides on items inside your garage, so it’s best to seal or remove all foods or beverages before use.
Sticky Traps
Sticky traps, or glue traps, work by drawing in flies and trapping them once they land. The most effective sticky traps come in vivid colors such as red or yellow to attract curious flies.
You can hang sticky traps from your ceiling to place them in the path of wandering flies. Doing this will also keep them out of the way of pets and children.
While most sticky traps contain non-toxic materials, the glue can damage clothing, furniture, and property upon contact.
Fly Bait
Bait traps most often include a container that’s easy to enter but difficult to escape, trapping flies inside until death or release. The odor from liquid or granular bait attracts flies into the container with no way to get back out. Some forms of bait contain poison to kill flies as they enter the trap.
Like sticky traps, bait traps are most effective when hung from the ceiling. Flies are more likely to encounter the bait than if you set it at ground level.
Keeping bait elevated also prevents kids and pets from getting into poisonous materials, so that your entire household stays safe.
Electric Zappers
Electric bug zappers have long been a popular form of pest control for flying insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, and flies of all varieties. Electric traps work by attracting bugs with light and sound. When flies come close enough, they create a circuit with a wire mesh grid that instantaneously electrocutes them.
Most bug zappers can be used safely indoors without posing a significant fire hazard. However, you might get a shock if you touch the outer cage.
You can hang an electric zapper up in your garage to kill invading flies without endangering yourself or your family members.
Tips and Tricks
Many fly traps rely on their visual appeal to lure flies. Sticky traps are often bright, vivid colors that draw flies in, while bait traps emit odors that attract curious insects. It’s best to place most traps in an open, well-lit area that gets plenty of traffic from your fly swarm.
Zappers, on the other hand, work better in a dark environment. Ambient light can make it more difficult for flies to see the zapper. If an electric trap offers the only light source in your garage, bugs are more likely to approach.
Seal Doors and Windows
The main reason flies are more likely to swarm in your garage than in your home is that garages are often poorly sealed. Uncovered vents, open windows, and large doors all allow flies to enter and exit with ease.
Sealing the cracks around garage doors and windows can help to prevent flies from entering when you’re not around. Even if you’ve eliminated your fly problem, you can stop a new one from forming with a tightly sealed garage.
There are a couple of easy DIY solutions that let you get rid of gaps in just minutes.
Caulk
Caulk is one of the easiest and cheapest solutions to cracks and gaps around your garage. Simply use a caulking gun to inject material into cracks and allow it to harden.
It can take some practice to get an even, accurate line with your gun. Also, don’t forget that caulk disintegrates over time and needs reapplication every few years.
Weather Stripping
For a more long-term solution, you can use weather stripping materials such as V strips or EPDM rubber to seal gaps. Most materials are self-adhesive for easy application. Metal stripping materials such as bronze are more challenging to apply since they require precision measurements and plenty of screws to fasten.
However, they are by far the most effective and long-lasting type of weather stripping.
Tips and Tricks
Even when sealed, it’s a good idea to keep windows and doors closed around your garage to prevent flies from entering. You may also want to install covers or grates around open vents. Try to pinpoint any potential points of ingress and either seal or cover the area with fly-proof mesh.
Don’t forget to check plumbing and wires for any gaps that need filling.
Keep Your Garage Clean
Cleaning your garage is a good way to oust persistent fly populations. If flies have nothing to eat or drink, they’re more likely to move on and find a new home. What’s more, you’ll prevent new swarms from setting up camp on your property.
Take Out the Trash
Make sure to take out trash in your garage regularly, or the smell might attract flies. If you store your garbage cans inside your garage, make sure they have a tight-fitting lid that blocks odors. If possible, you may even want to invest in a trash can with a locking lid.
Store Food in Airtight Containers
If you store any food or beverages in your garage, make sure that you seal them in airtight containers. Even fresh food can attract hungry flies. You can use plastic locking containers or mason jars to keep food fresh and safe. Don’t forget to seal pet food as well, since meaty smells can easily attract flies.
Tips and Tricks
It’s a good idea to set up a weekly maintenance schedule for your garage to ensure everything stays clean and pest-free. Make sure you take out the trash every week on your designated day and try not to miss any scheduled pickups. Otherwise, your garbage may go rancid and attract flies and other bugs.
Why Are There Flies in My Garage?
Flies reproduce quickly and in great numbers, so what starts as a small infestation can quickly grow to unmanageable proportions. A single fly can lay as many as 2,000 eggs at a time, and maggots hatch within 30 hours.
Under ideal conditions, a small population of flies can easily grow to reach thousands in a matter of days.
There are a number of different reasons why your garage might be attracting flies. Most often, the issue boils down to the availability of food and water. If flies have plenty of sustenance, they’re likely to settle down and breed. Your garage may be home to one or more features that attract fly populations.
Improper Storage
Your storage system is an important part of maintaining a pest-free garage. If you don’t store certain goods properly, you can invite all sorts of insects onto your property.
You should seal things such as food or preserves in airtight, waterproof containers to avoid emitting odors that might attract flies. It’s also a good idea to pack away pungent gardening supplies such as manure / compost.
If you keep any garbage cans in your garage, make sure they have a tight-fitting lid. It’s also a good idea to check for any cracks or leaks, especially if you notice a smell coming from the bin. An open trash can will quickly harbor a massive fly population.
Poor Drainage
Flies need water just as much as they need a food source, and standing water in your garage can attract swarms. It also makes the air more humid, which can turn your property into a breeding ground.
Standing water often hides in garages around drain pipes or collects in bowls and buckets. Rainwater and moisture from outside can also easily get in through the garage door. If you have a poorly sealed or ventilated garage, you’re even more likely to see standing water that can attract flies.
Other Infestations
Sometimes, leaving one infestation unchecked can lead to another. If you have pests such as mice or rats in your garage, they can leave behind rotting carcasses that attract hungry flies. Larger pests such as squirrels, possums, and more can also draw flies to your garage in the same way.
If you notice signs of mice or other pests in your garage, it’s important to act fast and take control of the infestation. Otherwise, you may eventually find yourself dealing with flies, fleas, and more.
Related Questions
Here, we’ll answer some common questions relating to how to get rid of flies in your garage.
What kind of flies are in my garage?
There are a number of different flies that you may find invading your garage. House flies are the most common infestation and are easy to distinguish thanks to their large size and black coloration.
Cluster flies are even bigger, though they are slightly lighter in color. Blowflies are smaller and iridescent blue or green. They indicate the presence of a dead animal or rotting meat.
You may also notice smaller flies buzzing around your garage. These may include drain flies, which are attracted to standing water, or fruit flies, which are attracted to sugary foods and drinks.
Are fly infestations dangerous?
Fly infestations can pose a health risk to you, your family, and even your pets. Flies get into all sorts of rotting and rancid matter that may contain harmful viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Flies can transfer these germs to surfaces around your home or directly to your person. They can also be responsible for transmitting foodborne pathogens that lead to food poisoning.
Do flies cause property damage?
Flies are unlikely to cause damage to your home. They prefer to nest around organic matter, especially decomposing or rotting goods. Factors that attract flies may lead to property damage, however. Standing water and rotting food in your garage can damage walls, floors, and foundations.
Wrapping Up
If you’re dealing with a fly infestation in your garage, you’re not alone. Flies are attracted to odors and moisture commonly found in improperly maintained garages. Fortunately, there are plenty of methods for eliminating fly populations and keeping them away from your property.
Knowing how to get rid of flies in your garage can keep both you and your home safe from pest-borne problems.
