How to Get Rid of Flies on Artificial Grass and Keep Them Off

What’s that old Benjamin Franklin quote? “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Well, you missed one, Mr. Franklin … flies. Nobody wants flies anywhere, am I right? And you certainly don’t want them crashing your backyard party on a fresh, new synthetic turf. So we have to ask ourselves: how to get rid of flies on artificial grass … and keep them off?

Well, the good news is there are a number of solutions you should try before calling up your local exterminator. Regular artificial turf cleaning, some easily-found anti-fly tools, and some good old fashioned know-how. And you’ll find all the details you need in today’s article.

So, let’s take a swipe at this thing, shall we?

Get Rid of Flies on Artificial Grass: the Highlights!

• • Flies can be attracted to artificial grass if there is standing water, food debris, or animal waste
  • Natural fly repellents like essential oils, vinegar solutions, and certain plants can help deter flies
  • Maintaining a clean artificial lawn by removing debris and hosing it down regularly is key to keeping flies away
  • Installing fly traps and using natural DIY sprays can eliminate existing fly problems
  • Proper lawn care and hygiene is the best long-term solution to prevent flies from returning

Why Are There Flies on My Artificial Grass?

You invested in a beautiful artificial lawn to avoid the hassles of real grass. That was supposed to include all those creepy, crawling, or flying pests, right? Now you walk outside to find some pesky flies have decided to make your synthetic turf their new hangout spot. Come on, bro. Not cool.

Well, the truth is that artificial grass is certainly less attractive to insects compared to natural grass. On the other hand, flies are lured into all kinds of places … usually because of a handful of factors. Here are the major ones.

1. 1. Standing water from poor drainage
   2. Crumbs and food debris (think picnics, outside snacks, and BBQs)
   3. Animal feces from pets or wildlife
   4. Rotting organic matter like leaves and twigs

I’m guessing nothing on that lists actually surprises you. And there’s good news! You can get rid of those flies and keep them from coming back with some easy, natural solutions.

Natural Remedies to Repel Flies on Artificial Grass

Before reaching for the chemical pesticides or dialing the exterminator, try a few eco-friendly tricks to shoo those flies.

• • Spray a vinegar solution: Mix 1 cup water + 1 tbsp vinegar + a few drops of dish soap. This smell certainly wrinkles my nose, and that same smell deters flies.
  • Use essential oils: Lemongrass, catnip, citronella, and cinnamon oils repel flies. Add a few drops to your vinegar spray. (Caution: some essential oils are toxic to pets)
  • Plant herbs and flowers: Basil, lavender, marigolds, and a few others are helpful for repelling flies. Bonus, they also often beautiful while adding a nice nasal experience to your backyard.
  • Set up fly traps: these things work on a simple premise. They lure flies in with sugary bait, then drown them in a trap made from a jar or bottle. You can buy fly traps at many stores for pretty cheap, or there are ways to make your own.

How to Eliminate Fly Infestations on Artificial Turf

But maybe you already have a fly problem on your hands. What then? Well, it’s eviction time, flies.

Here’s how you can lay the smack-down and get rid of flies on artificial grass:

1. 1. Remove all debris, waste, and standing water from the turf
   2. Hose down the lawn to clean it (and let it dry fully)
   3. Sprinkle *diatomaceous earth, a natural white powder that damages fly exoskeletons
   4. Spray your vinegar + essential oil solution generously
   5. Place several fly traps around the yard
   6. If your infestation is really bad (like borderline horror film bad), consider hiring a pest control pro

*Diatomaceous earth is actually a great solution for a number of home pests (ants and such). It’s safe for pets and children, and you can easily pick it up online or at local stores.

Keeping Your Artificial Lawn Fly-Free

Alright, so we’ve looked at how to get rid of flies on artificial turf. But how do we keep them off? Well, to borrow another common quote from one of America’s all-time great historical figures (give it up for George Washington!): “offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only means of defense.”

Ya see, it’s mostly about prompt lawn and artificial turf cleaning. That’s right: preventing future fly invasions just requires a little lawn hygiene proactivity on your part.

• • Promptly clean up food messes after eating outside
  • Pick up pet waste daily (I know … groan)
  • Remove leaves, sticks, and grass clippings
  • Ensure proper artificial turf drainage to avoid puddles
  • Hose off your turf weekly to rinse away any buildup
  • Check for and seal off any potential fly breeding areas

Now, Enjoy Your Fly-Free Artificial Grass

We’ve explored all the natural, easy-to-execute measures to get rid of flies on artificial grass. And we’ve heard from a few of our most important American icons. That’s not a bad combo, right? So now you have the know-how: clean regularly, use natural repellents, and set traps.

So let’s go right back to our boy Benjamin Franklin. He said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I’m pretty sure he was talking about keeping your artificial turf clean and pristine to keep the bugs away for good. No? He wasn’t? Oh well.

If you still have turf maintenance questions, give the Artificial Turf Supply team a call: (866) 677-9405

Or if you’re in the market for some beautiful, natural-looking and naturally-fly-repellant artificial turf, our free quote tool can help you better understand the cost.

Now fire up that grill, spread out the picnic blanket, and relax on your lush, fly-free lawn. You’ve earned it!