A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Flies in garden court yard

Our home is small and to enter we must enter thru a gated court yard. Several large trees shade this court yard, this is our only outdoor space. .... Problem: on any given day there are appox. 20- 30 "house flies " fling in a circle in the court yard, all day! We are unable to enjoy a BBQ or just hang out. Ive tried Raid Flying Insect Spray, and other pesticides... more flies return later. HELP!! any suggestions

Is there a reason they are there? For instance, do you have a pet that uses the area? If not, try some of those fly stickies that you unroll and they hang down. I've had results with those before.

I hope you find a solution soon!

Thank you AUNTNENE! yes we have tried the "strips" to no avail... is there a spice? that flies hate or something??

Flies are supposed to dislike basil.
Also, if you have a birdbath, there are so many birds which eat flies. You have the trees already so if you supply water you'll get the birds. Smaller, insect eating birds such as flycatchers,(yes, that's a bird type) may require some cover to escape predatory birds and cats.