DIY Fly Repellent For Porches (Easy Home Remedy)
We shared this on Chemistry Cachet several weeks ago, and we are already having readers write in saying they love it!
When I first tested out this home remedy, I was skeptical how well it might work. I researched the science behind bar soap for insects many years ago, but I have never tried it for flies. Flies are really hard to deter this time of year especially depending on your environment (around water, animals, farms, pets, etc).
Remember, this home remedy is specifically for a porch area.
Also, make sure you always check out our blog posts because we discuss the science and purpose behind each ingredient. We also go into detail on reasons why something didn't work for you and FAQS!!
More about the mesh bags and other ingredients found here in the blog post.
Ingredients:
- Irish Spring Soap Bars
- Citronella Essential Oil
- Mesh Bags with Zipper or Draw String
Directions:
- Gather your soap bars, I have three for my porch area. You can use as many as you want to place around your area.
- Add drops of citronella oil to the soap bars. It will slowly soak in to the top, but it is also okay that it runs down the sides.
- Let the bars sit out for just a few minutes before placing them in the mesh bags or add them while the citronella is still wet. Either way is fine!
- Add one bar of soap to your mesh bag. If a full bar doesn’t fit, you can cut it in half.
- Set them around your porch or hang them up.
Does This REALLY Work 100%
It does for us on our porch and many readers too, but don't forget there are dozens of factors for flies. We have other proven tips to try for flies you can read in our blog post here!
Why Irish Spring Soap?
This is thoroughly discussed in the blog post, but using bar soap to deter bugs is a very long time home remedy. Some of our research dates back to the early 1900s. You can view this and other details on the blog :)
Interested in finding more ways to repel flies?
Remember, you can hang these outside, set them around your tables or chairs. They work best if set directly near the area to deter the flies!
Resources for this project:
Comments
Join the conversation
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I will definitely try the soap and citronella for flys.
I have a way to keep wasps from building nests. Read it on line but I don't remember where. Fill a brown paper lunch bag with plastic grocery bags. Anything will do but itt holds up better in the rain with plastic. Tie it at the too then hang it near where they are making nests. They will leave because they won't build nests near each other. Once they leave I hose away their nest incase there's any eggs or whatever in there. I live in Fla and this really works. You can even buy fake ones on line buy these are easy and work great. Janet
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Thanks for the tip Janet. I will be trying this for the summer😉
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I want to try this after reading about it; summer is coming and if anything, my porch should smell fresh😁
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
How far apart from each other for the bags work, or approximately area of coverage
What if it rains, and the soap gets wet ,then what??
Do these repel mosquitoes and other bugs?