House flies are one of the most common causes of the spread of diseases and other illnesses. House flies most normally feed on dung and other forms of defecation before sitting on open food. Because of this action, a number of illnesses are passed on to people who consume the infected food. Some of the more common illnesses spread by house flies include typhoid, cholera and diarrhea. If any of the aforementioned illnesses goes untreated, it could prove to be fatal.
Though there are a variety of methods to get rid of house flies, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the area surrounding your house should be kept clean. Any drains or garbage dumping areas should be kept covered to avoid the spread of germs from decaying matter. Drains can be kept sanitized by pouring boiling water mixed with a good detergent down them. The boiling water and detergent help to clean the drain and get rid of any gnats or insects that grow in these areas. There are many chemical products that are advertised to help get rid of houseflies, but people must also realize that these chemical products are equally harmful to human beings as they are to pests. One of the most widely used non toxic method of keeping insects and flies out of homes is by putting up screens over doors and windows so as to keep all insects out.
Citronella is a well known insect repellent, and growing a citronella plant in your garden will be of great help in getting rid of flies and mosquitoes. Add a little citronella oil to some water while swabbing the floor of your house, this will work wonders in keeping your home insect free. Mint and basil are plants that not only smell nice to humans, but are very effective in helping you get rid of flies. Basil or mint, grown in flower pots could be placed around the periphery of the house to act as a barrier against insects. Freshly cut basil works as a natural repellent and keeps houseflies at bay. Burning eucalyptus leaves will keep flies and mosquitoes away from your home. Since flies are attracted to wine, placing a saucer of wine to which a few drops of dish wash solution is added, helps to poison the flies. The flies consume the wine mixed with the dish wash solution and fall dead in the saucer itself. The use of fly paper is also recommended in keeping your house free from flies.