How to Repel Outdoor Flies with Essential Oils

Tired of the insecticide sprays on the market and unnecessary chemicals? Are you regularly disturbed or stung by pests in your backyard? You can use essential oils as a natural insect repellent, keeping flies away from you and your outdoor dining area.

Table of Contents

Making an Outdoor Flies Repellent Box

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Gather materials. You can place this box in the center of your yard table to keep flies away day and night. It’s a simple blend of essential oils and a carrier oil that releases the scent into the air, keeping flies away naturally. Here’s what you need:

A small tin with a lid. Small coffee boxes, mints or cough drops are fine
A clean cloth or a dishwashing sponge
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons witch hazel (or vodka if you don’t have witch hazel)
100 drops essential oil

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Make an essential oil blend. Many essential oils contain ingredients that keep flies away. It also works well in repelling mosquitoes and other insects. Essential oils are available at health food stores or online in bulk. You can use 100 drops of the same essential oil, or mix it with any of the following essential oils:

Lavender essential oil – lavender is considered particularly effective for repelling flies. It also has many other uses in the home. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Conditioner essential oil – this ingredient is often found in candles to repel flies and other harmful insects.
Eucalyptus Oil – is another essential oil that you can use in your home for a variety of uses.
Peppermint essential oil – this seems to be more effective at repelling mosquitoes, but also repels flies.

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Mix essential oils with vegetable oil and witch hazel (or vodka). Put all these ingredients in a bowl and mix until fully combined. Diluting essential oils prevents them from evaporating and helps the scent spread into the air.

All essential oils must be diluted before use; especially when you want to rub it directly on the skin.
Add ½ teaspoon of vodka to the mixture for later storage.

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Dab the mixture on a cloth or sponge. Place the cloth or sponge in the tin and pour the mixture in until it is soaked. Leave the cloth in the box and close the lid. Leave it like that for 24 hours.

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Open the lid to use. Every time you need to get rid of flies, you open the lid of the box and place it on an outdoor table. You can optionally make as many boxes as you want to place around your yard to keep flies away.

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Replenish oil after several uses. Once exposed to air, the mixture gradually evaporates and needs to be replenished. Sprinkle a few more drops of essential oil into the can or make another blend.

Make Flies Repellent Spray

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Gather materials. This spray has been used for centuries to get rid of harmful insects and is very effective. It has a strong smell when first sprayed on the body, but when the mixture dries, the smell will go away. Here’s what you need:

120 ml witch hazel
120 ml apple cider vinegar
30-50 drops of essential oil. You can choose any blend of essential oils such as lemongrass, clove, lemongrass, rosemary, tea, catnip, lavender, mint.

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Pour the above mixture into a spray bottle. You can use an old spray bottle that has been cleaned with soap and water, or buy a new one at the pharmacy.

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Spray the mixture on the skin. Shake the can and spray onto hands, arms, legs and other exposed skin. Let dry completely and repeat if necessary. Avoid contact with eyes or mouth.

You can also use this recipe to spray on clothes. It’s a good idea to test a small amount first to make sure it doesn’t discolor the fabric.
Do not give to children or pets who are unsure of the safety of the essential oils in the blend. For example, tea tree oil is very toxic to cats.
Never apply concentrated essential oils to the skin. Remember to dilute with a conductive solution before use.

Making Flies Repellent

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Try tea tree oil, lavender, or eucalyptus. These three essential oils are the most effective against flies. To make a lotion from these potent essential oils, it is important that you dilute it with a carrier oil. Make a 2% solution by adding 12 drops of your chosen essential oil to 30ml of a carrier oil such as olive oil. Apply to wrists, neck and pulse points to repel flies.

Store the oil in a small bottle so that you can apply it whenever needed.
Applying undiluted essential oils to the skin (even lavender or tea tree oil) can also cause the skin to become sensitized, which means that the skin can be very irritated when it comes in contact with the essential oil. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Try peppermint oil. Mint is also a natural fly repellent and has a classic scent. Peppermint, spearmint, and catnip are very effective at repelling those pesky flies and even scenting you. Try making a 2% solution by adding 12 drops of peppermint essential oil to 30ml of a carrier oil like olive oil. Apply directly to skin.

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Use basil essential oil. Basil is a strong-smelling herb that flies hate. Basil is also very effective for repelling caterpillars. ^{[3] X Research Source} Make a 2% solution by adding 12 drops of basil essential oil to 30ml of carrier oil such as olive oil. Apply directly to skin.

Advice

Wear gloves when applying the essential oil mixture to the cloth, especially if you are handling food and/or have sensitive skin.
Eliminate sources of standing water around your home to keep flies and other insects away. Change the water in the birdbath and pet water tray twice a week.
Try planting marigolds around your yard. Marigold works as a natural fly repellent because it gives off a scent that other vermin and flying insects don’t like.
You can enhance the effectiveness of essential oils by using candles. Simply put a few drops of the essential oil you want to use (or use a variety at the ends of the table) onto the wax that melts while the candle is burning. The scent will spread when you light the candle.
Growing mint and live herbs will provide a relaxing scent while repelling insects.
Pungent mint is not as safe as other mints. You should never use it to spray on your skin.

Warning

When it comes to herbal therapies, you’re the one who knows best whether the solutions work as you expect them to. If not, try different types until you find the one you need. Sometimes the effectiveness of essential oils depends on local conditions.
Always keep essential oils out of the reach of children. There are many types that are toxic if swallowed, especially pungent mint. Containers must also be kept out of the reach of children.
Always read the warnings on essential oil products carefully. Do not use if you are pregnant, have a weak immune system or have allergies, unless you know the essential oil is safe.
Exposure to lavender and tea tree oils can lead to gynaecomastia in prepubertal boys. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Things you need

Small tin can with lid; preferably candy boxes, cough medicine boxes, candle boxes, etc..
Small piece of fabric like cotton cloth, handkerchief, etc. , or cut a sponge to fit
Conductor oil
Witch hazel or vodka
Types of essential oils
Aerosol
Apple Cider Vinegar

Steps