When the weather starts to warm, our minds turn to summer picnics and BBQs outside. Unfortunately, the warmer weather also attracts flies to outdoor parties, and there is nothing worse than flies at a picnic.
Getting rid of flies from an outdoor party isn’t as big a problem as you imagine; just be prepared. We’ve got some great natural solutions and tips on how to keep flies away from your next picnic.
From portable covers and pop-up solutions to essential oil repellents, we have everything you need to keep flies away. Put away the can of chemical fly repellent; we’ve got eco-friendly solutions to keep flies away outside and save your sanity. Some of our suggestions to get rid of flies will also add to your picnic aesthetic with romantic touches and cute beachy and boho vibes. Read on.
Want more great picnic tips? See our Essential Tips for Picnic Perfection
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Healthy Reasons to Repel Flies
Flies are more than just an annoyance at a picnic or outdoor party. Flies are attracted to food and can be quite persistent. While a fly constantly buzzing in your face might be irritating, it’s important to remember that flies can also carry diseases.
In fact, flies are known to transmit over 100 different pathogens, including Salmonella and E. coli. So it’s totally understandable that you’re on a mission to control the nuisance before it begins.
8 Convenient Natural Solutions To Get Rid Of Flies At A Picnic
Timing Your Picnic To Avoid Flies
The timing could be the key to a fly-free picnic. The average fly is most active in the heat of the day when they have had time to warm up and tend to disappear in the late afternoon. With this in mind, a brunch picnic early in the day could be a great way to avoid flies altogether. The same can be said for a late afternoon get together once the flies have disappeared for the day.
Avoiding these peak fly times can also help you avoid the heat of the day in peak summer. If you can’t avoid peak fly time, we have some alternative solutions for you.
Cover Your Food To Keep Flies Away Outside
Food attracts flies, and as we said earlier, flies carry disease. So, the last thing you want is flies on your food. Using handy collapsible picnic food covers is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and keep food protected from bugs.
You can use pop up food tents for multiple dishes or mesh covers in assorted sizes to avoid accidentally squashing your food. And if you have food set out in bowls, this fun and eco-friendly 10 Piece Bowl Cover Set is perfect for keeping food covered and fresh. It’s nice to use a reusable product instead of resorting to single-use plastic wraps – they also keep a better seal.
Essential Oil Candles To Get Rid of Flies Outside
Natural candles are a lovely 100% natural way to repel flies and mosquitoes, and they add a nice touch to your picnic scene. You can add some romance and a lovely scent to a couple’s picnic while keeping pests at bay.
There are a surprising number of scents that will keep flies away. Look for candles infused with natural oils such as:
- Lavender
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Basil
- Pine
- Rosemary
- Lemon
- Cloves
Try natural soy candles that have a lid so you can easily transport them and use them again and again.
Use fragrant candles like Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle, that’s scented with peppermint and lemongrass essential oils or Haosen Natural Soy Citronella Candles – they work especially well in keeping flies away. These essential oils candles will work for flies and other insects such as mosquitoes, so they are great for day or night.
Use a Portable Fly Zapper
Fly zappers are a very effective way to keep flies away naturally. There is a great range of portable solar and USB charging fly zappers that work equally well for mosquitoes.
A very lightweight, portable solution to getting rid of flies outside. Some have coverage of around 550 sq ft, so you don’t even have to keep it close to your picnic spread for it to be effective. It is also a much nicer way to kill flies than an unsightly fly trap.
Qremove Solar Powered, Rechargeable Insect Fly Trap Attractant 3-in-1 Electric Mosquito Killer
Use Portable Tent Screens As A Versatile Way To Keep Flies Away
An easy to erect portable screen tent creates a barrier between you and the bugs and gives you shade at the same time. Simply set up your picnic inside a screen tent and enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about bugs.
The convenient pop-up design means that you can set it up in just minutes. You can use it to keep the food in or use it as the setting for the picnic. Pop a sweet little boho picnic table inside, and you have a lovely setting for a boho picnic vibe without the flies. String some fairy lights inside, and you have a gorgeous bug free night picnic – a gorgeous idea for a valentines picnic.
Use Bug Repelling Plants To Keep The Flies Away
Another way to avoid harmful chemicals that are even more natural than essential oils is fresh herbs. You can plant herbs in your garden to help keep flies away, but you can also use herbs on a picnic to repel flies and set a gorgeous scene. Place a few little potted herbs you can buy from the supermarket around your picnic spread to keep flies away.
They will look gorgeous and you can pluck some leaves for last-minute garnishes or even an addition to some picnic cocktails.
If you don’t want to bother with potted herbs, simply grab some fresh bunches and lay them around your spread. They’ll still look great and act as a fly repellant.
Wondering which plants work best? Here’s a list of herbs you can use to keep the flies away, it is pretty much the same as the list of our essential oils:
- Basil
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Bay leaf
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Citronella
- Lemon
- Eucalyptus
Use An Electric Fan To Stop Flies From Messing With Your Picnic
A simple portable, battery-powered fan is one of those win-win situations. It will keep you cool and keep flies away. Flies are very clumsy in the wind, so they do their best to avoid any aggressive airflow. By setting up a portable fan, you’ll create a barrier of moving air that flies will be hesitant to cross.
Spark Up The Grill And Cook Over A Fire To Keep The Bugs Away
Sand in your toes, a juicy hamburger, and the sound of laughter in the air – there’s nothing quite like enjoying a beautiful beach picnic with friends and family. However, bugs and the beach can be a match made in heaven. Luckily, there’s an easy way to keep the flies away: just spark up a charcoal grill. The heat from the flames and the smoke from the grill create an environment that flies, and other insects can’t tolerate.
These little portable grills make a great beach picnic companion and fly repellent.
No one wants to be swatting at bugs all day while trying to relax, so make sure you’re prepared with one of these natural and effective ways to repel flies. From sensational essential oils to portable tent solutions, with a little preparation, you can enjoy your next picnic without the pests.
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