The Pros & Cons of DIY Fly Control: Why You Should Choose Us

05 July 2025 · 3 min read

Dealing with flies can be a hassle, especially in a commercial setting where hygiene is essential. When running a business, people often attempt to turn to DIY fly control to eliminate flies in a cost-friendly manner. Whilst DIY methods may seem appealing, they’re not always effective. So in this article, we’re going to go through some common DIY fly control methods and tell you what’s worth a go, and what’s not. 

    1. DIY Fly Traps

    There are two common types of DIY traps. There are sticky fly traps and liquid fly traps. The sticky traps involve duct tape being placed sticky-side-up with some sugar water sprayed on top. The flies land on the tape and cannot fly away. The liquid trap approach involves a take-away container being filled with things like sugar water, dish soap or apple cider vinegar. Once the fly lands on the water, it drowns instantly. 

    Pros of DIY Fly Traps

    • Immediately effective
    • Affordable
    • Accessible and care-free

    Cons of DIY Fly Traps

    • Unsightly
    • Unsuitable for commercial settings
    • Messy
    • Sticky
    • Limited range
    • Requires a reset often

    2. Homemade Essential Oil Repellents

      This common approach involves diluting essential oils such as Citronella, Lavender or Eucalyptus with some water, and spraying the affected areas.  

      Pros of Essential Oil Repellents

      • Also serves as an air freshener
      • Generally safe for humans and pets
      • Affordable
      • Accessible

      Cons of Essential Oil Repellents

      • Short-lasting effects
      • Limited coverage
      • Unpractical for large venues
      • Inconsistent results
      • Strong smells can effect food
      • Can be affected by weather and falter in humidity

      3. Ultrasonic Fly Repellent

        Ultrasonic Fly Repellers emit high-frequency sound waves that humans cannot hear. It is marketed as irritating to flies and therefore acts as a deterrent. 

        Pros of Ultrasonic Fly Repellent

        • Non toxic
        • Safe for food, humans and pets (animals can hear this frequency but are not distressed by them)
        • Easy to use and set up (simply connect to power source)

        Cons of Ultrasonic Fly Repellent

          4. Electric Fly Zappers

          These work by having a light that attracts flies and mosquitoes. Once they make contact with the light, the machine electrocutes the flies, and they die instantly. 

          Pros of Electric Fly Zappers

          • Effective, killing flies instantly
          • Different models for different spaces
          • Decent coverage

          Cons of Electric Fly Zappers

          • Loud “zap” sound is likely to be off-putting and jarring
          • A lot of models don’t have a catcher, meaning you will be sweeping dead flies constantly
          • Not environmentally friendly, as it will kill bees, butterflies, moths etc.
          • Killing flies is bad for the environment, click here to read more.

          Fly Screens

            There are several types of fly screens that many people are familiar with. These primarily include mesh screens that are installed alongside your regular door or, magnetic/ free-hanging strip screens that create a barrier between the outdoors and your door, allowing you to keep the main door open.

            Pros of Fly Screens

            • Preventative measure, don’t worry about getting flies out if they never got in in the first place!
            • Durable
            • Low maintenance
            • One-time cost

            Cons of Fly Screens

            • Not suitable for outdoor spaces
            • Unsightly
            • As customers enter and exit your venue, flies have the opportunity to enter

            Note: The best use of fly screens is to install one at the back of your venue, like with the backdoor or the kitchen exit. This way, it is not unaesthetically pleasing to customers, as they cannot see it!

            Why You Should Choose Us Instead

            Whilst some of these DIY methods may work for short-term fly problems, they simply cannot compete with the excellence our products can deliver. We’ll give you a few reasons why you should let us handle your flies. 

            1. Our product is pyrethrin-based. Pyrethrin is a natural compound derived from Chrysanthemum. This is good because it does not kill the flies, leaving dead flies all around your venue; it simply repels them. Cold-blooded creatures cannot metabolise pyrethrin, so they vacate the area to escape it, leaving your business fly-free and environmentally friendly. 
            2. Our fly dispensers have a beautiful, sleek white design. This means our fly control is subtle and elegant, so it won’t diminish the ambience you’ve worked to create. 
            3. We can guarantee, once we’ve looked at your venue during your free consultation, we can guarantee our product will keep the flies out. It is, however, very important that we assess the dynamics of your venue, inspecting things like airflow, ceiling height and windows. We will tell you honestly if our product is not compatible with your venue. 
            4. Excellent customer service! The founder of this business, Pip, was a chef for 15 years herself. She knows all about what your business life-style is about. We’re here to adapt seamlessly to your venue and provide you with the best products and knowledge to help you get rid of those pesky flies. We even offer free consultations, so we can figure out the best placement locations for our product in your venue. 

            So while some DIY fly control methods may be effective for your business, we can guarantee that we will make the job easier and more efficient. Click here to contact us today with any further enquiries.  

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