How to Get Rid of House Flies with Cloves

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

While there are many deterrents used to get rid of pesky house flies from your home or other surroundings, cloves are among the most popular. To get rid of house flies with cloves, simply poke 20 to 30 whole cloves into an apple, place the apple in the middle of the area, and watch the flies disappear shortly thereafter. This fix should work both indoors and outdoors.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-1.jpg\/aid18357-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-2.jpg\/aid18357-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-3.jpg\/aid18357-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [2]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-4.jpg\/aid18357-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-5.jpg\/aid18357-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-House-Flies-with-Cloves-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You will be amazed to see how all of a sudden all the flies disappear in a short time. They simply hate the subtle smell of the cloves [3] and will never come again to “share your meal" as long as you have this ornamental clove apple on the table. Enjoy your food.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Would this work for fruit flies?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 26
  • Question
    Can I use an orange instead of apple?
    Community Answer
    Orange has citric acid, but an apple is something different. Therefore, the result would be something different.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 37
  • Question
    Where can I get cloves?
    Community Answer
    Buy them from your nearest grocery store or farmer's market.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 35
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Clove oil can be used when cleaning as another source of repelling houseflies indoors. [4]
        Thanks
      • Whole cloves can also be wrapped in small squares of cheesecloth and tied up, then hung wherever the flies are entering the house or hovering, such as in doorways or windows. To release more of the scent, simply squeeze the package now and then.
        Thanks
      • There is a fly in your house and you want it out! As the sun goes down, turn off all the lights in the house and turn on the bathroom light. The fly will go to the bathroom where you can swat it.
        Thanks
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Cloves (available from the spice section in supermarkets, grocery stores, etc.(Myrtaceae, Syzygium)
      • Apple

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Rid of Flies Around Your Dog's Water and Food Bowls
      How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your House
      How to
      Get Rid of Ants
      The Best Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home
      How to
      Trap Cockroaches
      How to Get Rid of Flies Outdoors (And Keep Them Away for Good)
      11 Effective Ways to Kill Flies inside Your Home
      8 Natural & Chemical Ways to Get Rid of Maggots
      Get Rid of Fruit Flies & Houseflies with These Homemade Traps
      How to
      Get Rid of Drain Flies
      How to
      Keep Gnats Away from Your Face
      How to
      Catch Flies
      How to
      Make Natural Outdoor Fly Repellent with Essential Oils
      How to Kill Gnats in Houseplants Fast
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.fliesonly.com/using-cloves-to-repel-flies/
      2. ↑ https://fliesonly.com/using-cloves-to-repel-flies/
      3. ↑ The Frugal Life, Getting Rid of House Flies, http://www.thefrugallife.com/flies.html
      4. ↑ http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-get-rid-of-houseflies.htm

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 604,146 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Donna Porter

        May 17, 2016

        "I get fruit flies when the weather gets hot, I always have fruit and now the garden vegetables are coming in. So ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement