Karachi is infested with flies, here are 10 ways to get rid of them from your home

As Karachi’s “makhee” problem grows out of hand amidst government ignorance, only we can save ourselves, with these DIY mosquito repellent tips.

1. Proper Waste Disposal

The best way to avoid flies is to make sure you properly dispose off garbage and do not leave food remains lying around. A clean environment will not attract pests if maintained. This initiative must be adopted at all levels, beginning from households, where trash must be sealed and disposed off in bins and not casually thrown away.

2.Hanging Water Bags

Some seaside restaurants have used this trick to prevent flies from bothering customers. The Maids reported how they hung plastic bags filled with water on the railing to repel flies. This works because the water bag acts like a lens, reflecting light and the movement of the people. When flies coming in from afar see this, they are deterred by the movement of the people that is captured by the water; which creates this illusion.

3. Basil Plants

Basil plants are best known for their heady oil content, which is disliked by flies. Hence, this strong- smelling plant, along with lavender and mint makes an excellent and yet cheap way of dealing with pests, published The Practical Planter. These plants can be set up outside your house, by the door or on the window sill to effectively drive off flies.

4. Orange Peels

Fresh orange peels contain a chemical called 'limonene' which is toxic to flies. This oil found in the outer layer of these citrus fruits can aid the problem. Place these peels near a window preferably or the kitchen counter top. Just remember to rub them time after time to release more smell and replace them once dried out.

5. Cloves

Cloves are aromatic dried flower buds of a plant named 'Syzygium aromaticum'. They are dark brown, pungent and nail shaped spice. According to Flies Only,these can be pinned into citrus fruits like oranges and placed around the house because both cloves and citrus fruits keep flies away.

6. Camphor

This is an organic compound which can be bought online or at any homeopathic store, reports Like basil, its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties coupled with its strong smell warn off flies. Camphor tablets can be placed on a hot surface or heat diffuser, which allows it's aroma to spread into the air.

7. Vinegar Fly Trap

Alternately, you can set up traps for these pests too. All you need is some apple cider vinegar/malt vinegar, a glass, a rubber band and a plastic bag. Just add some vinegar to the glass and seal it with the plastic bag, punching a small hole in the centre to allow flies in, but small enough to prevent them exiting.

8. Fly Strips

These can be bought online or you could just make your own. Just cut some brown paper strips and coat it with a mixture of golden syrup and sugar, mixing ¼ cup of each. Next, punch some holes in the strips and pass a thread through them to hang them up.

9. Honey Trap

Luring in the kill has never been so sweet with this easy method. This simple home-based recipe just requires you to cut a plastic bottle in half and pour honey in the bottom half along with an inch of water. Next, place the top half inverted on the bottom half. This way, the flies will easily be lead in through inverted bottle top, but will have no way of making it back out.

10. Your own fly spray

Although one can easily buy this product, you could also make your own. Take a spoonful of any dish washing detergent and mix it in warm water. Next, pour the liquid into an empty spray bottle and fire away. Although this does not kill flies, it surely drops them on the floor to prevent them hovering over you.