Genius Ways to Keep Flies Off Your Food Outside Without Going Full Exterminator Mode

Alright, let’s set the scene. You’re finally enjoying the sunshine, your BBQ is sizzling, drinks are flowing, your playlist is killing it… and boom—flies show up like they own the place. Buzzing over your burgers, dive-bombing your fruit salad, and basically ruining your vibe.

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever hosted a picnic or backyard hang and ended up in a full-on battle with these uninvited guests, you’re not alone. But don’t stress—I’ve rounded up some super clever and low-key ways to deal with this. So if you’re wondering how to keep flies away from outdoor food (without becoming a fly-swatting ninja), you’re in the right spot.

Let’s kick those bugs out of the party. 🦟❌

🪴 Why Do Flies Even Love Our Food So Much?

Flies are kind of like that one friend who shows up without being invited, eats everything, and never brings anything to share. They’ll sniff out your food from yards away and head straight for it.

Here’s what pulls them in:

Sweet stuff like soda and fruit
Meaty, juicy food (hello, grilled ribs)
Trash or compost bins hanging out nearby
Any sort of moisture or standing water

Basically, if it smells good to you, it smells amazing to flies. Time to outsmart the little suckers.

🌿 Scents That Flies Absolutely Hate (But We Kinda Love)

1. Spray Some Essential Oils Around

Turns out, flies have pretty picky noses. While we’re out here loving the smell of lavender or peppermint, they’re gagging.

Scents they can’t stand:

Lavender
Peppermint
Lemongrass
Eucalyptus
Citronella

🧴 What to do: Mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle and give your outdoor table area a light mist. Or soak cotton balls and pop them into tiny bowls. Done.

💬 Just a heads-up: “Don’t go overboard with the oils. A little goes a long way, and your guests might not want to eat next to a cloud of eucalyptus fog.”

2. The Clove-in-Citrus Trick (Yes, It Works)

This one feels like something your grandma swore by—and she was right.

🍋 Grab a lemon or lime, cut it in half, and poke a bunch of whole cloves into the juicy part. Place them on your table like edible little landmines for flies. Bonus: they look kinda cute and rustic.

3. Bring in the Breeze

Did you know flies are terrible fliers? (Shocking, I know.) They legit struggle in wind, so if you set up a small fan or two near the table, they’ll have a tough time getting near your snacks.

💨 A rotating fan = chef’s kiss for keeping the air moving and the bugs away.

4. Surround Your Food with Fly-Hating Plants

Here’s your excuse to go full plant-parent mode. Some plants actually repel flies just by existing.

Plant	How It Helps	Bonus Perk
Basil	Strong scent = no flies	Also makes great pesto 🌿
Lavender	Smells amazing	Doubles as decor 💜
Mint	Cool + refreshing	Keeps mosquitoes away too
Marigolds	Bright + bold	They hate the smell
Rosemary	BBQ + bug repellent	Win-win 🌿

Stick these in pots, in centerpieces, or all around your patio for a chill, green, fly-free vibe.

🥡 Keep Food Covered Like It’s a National Treasure

5. Bust Out the Mesh Covers (Or Make Your Own)

If they can’t land on your food, they can’t ruin it. Grab some mesh food tents (you can find them cheap online), or DIY it with upturned bowls, baskets, or even lace fabric draped over wooden skewers.

Super easy. Super effective. Super aesthetic.

6. Hang Weird Stuff That Actually Works

Okay, this one sounds strange, but people SWEAR by it: Hang ziplock bags filled with water and a few shiny coins inside. Supposedly it messes with the flies’ vision and keeps them away.

Also cute ideas:

Citrus garlands with cloves
Dangling mirrors
Twinkly wind chimes that reflect sunlight

Decor and fly defense in one. Pinterest would be proud.

🧃 Drinks and Snacks: Keep ‘Em Safe

7. Cover Those Drinks!

Sodas, lemonade, fruit punch—basically fly candy. If your drinks are sitting open, flies will cannonball right in.

💡 Use mason jars with lids and straws, silicone drink toppers, or hack it with an upside-down cupcake liner punched with a hole for a straw. Classy and bug-proof.

8. Don’t Leave the Buffet Out All Day

It’s tempting to keep everything out for the whole party, but flies will be partying harder than your guests.

Instead:

Rotate small portions in and out
Cover trays ASAP after serving
Keep a cooler nearby as your “backup stash”

Trust me, it makes clean-up easier too.

🗑️ Trash Talk (Literally)

9. Hide the Garbage!

Flies are trash goblins. If your bin is nearby and uncovered, they’ll swarm it—and then make a beeline for your food.

Tips:

Keep trash at least 15–20 feet away from food
Use a can with a lid that actually closes
Double-bag meat scraps
Take the trash out before it overflows

Scented trash bags (like lemon or eucalyptus) are your bonus weapon.

10. Check for Standing Water

Water pooling under your cooler? Leftover drink spills? That’s basically fly heaven.

Do a quick once-over for:

Drippy drink stations
Overflowing flower pots
Pet bowls or birdbaths
That suspicious puddle under the grill

Wipe it up. Fast.

🎯 Fly Distraction Tactics

11. Set Out DIY Fly Traps… Far Away

Keep them busy elsewhere! Make a quick trap with:

A jar or cup
Some apple cider vinegar
A drop of dish soap
Plastic wrap with holes

Place it far from your food, and let it do its thing.

12. The Ziplock Bag with Coins Trick (Yep, Again)

It sounds nuts, but people swear by it. The combo of shiny coins and water reflections is like fly kryptonite.

Hang these little baggies where the sun hits and watch the bugs peace out.

🧒 Turn It Into a Family Game

Got kids at the party? Let them get in on the fly-fighting fun.

Give them a “bug guard” role at the table
Have them make citrus-clove decorations
Set up a “fly trap check” competition

Little prizes = big motivation. 🙌

✅ Quick Fly-Free Party Checklist

Here’s your no-stress cheat sheet:

Task	✔ Done
Sprayed essential oil mist
Clove-citrus bombs on table
Food covers in place
Fans or breeze going
Drinks all covered
Trash bin sealed and away
DIY fly trap set (far from food)
Checked for standing water

Screenshot this before your next backyard bash.

❌ What NOT to Do (Seriously)

Let’s keep it real. Some “tips” floating around out there just don’t help (or make things worse).

Spraying chemicals near food. Hard pass.
Leaving sugary drinks open. Flies love ‘em.
Lighting perfumed candles. You’ll attract bees instead.
Skipping trash cleanup. Rookie mistake.

🎉 Outdoor Food + Zero Flies = Actual Heaven

Let’s be honest, eating outside is way more fun when you’re not sharing your burger with a swarm of flies. The good news? It’s totally possible to enjoy your patio feast without going full exterminator.

Use a combo of these easy hacks—fans, herbs, lemon-clove bombs, covered food—and you’ll be the fly-free host with the most.

Now go enjoy your outdoor chill time. Flies not invited.