Summer is here, bringing sunshine, barbecues, and unfortunately, those pesky flies buzzing around your trash can. If you dread waking up every morning to a swarm of insects invading your kitchen area, you’re not alone. But what if I told you that two everyday spices could help you reclaim your space and enjoy a truly peaceful summer?
These natural remedies are not about killing flies with harsh chemicals. Instead, they work by confusing and repelling them with powerful scents that flies just can’t stand. Let’s explore this surprisingly simple trick that will keep your trash bin fly-free and your kitchen smelling fresher.
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The warmer temperatures and increased humidity of summer turn your trash can into a hotspot for flies. As garbage ferments, odors become stronger, acting like a beacon to all sorts of unwanted insects. Even if your bin has a tight lid, flies are ingenious at finding their way inside.
The solution is to make your trash can less appealing without using sprays or traps packed with chemicals. Flies rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food and breeding sites. By masking or irritating their nose sensors, you can keep them at bay.
That’s where two common spices come into play. They emit strong smells that flies want to avoid, but humans find manageable—or even pleasant. These aren’t just random choices; their natural properties include antifungal effects and irritants that deter insects.
The dynamic duo: cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a fly-free home
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The first spice to know is cinnamon. Its sweet, warm aroma effectively masks the foul odors coming from your garbage. While it’s soothing to us, flies find it overwhelming. Cinnamon also has antifungal traits, helping to fight any mold or yeast growth that might attract flies.
Next up is cayenne pepper. This spice packs a punch with a molecule that irritates flies’ legs, antennae, and mouthparts the moment they land. It’s an instant signal to take off and never return. The combo of these two spices creates a natural, harmless defense barrier around your trash.
Using them couldn’t be easier. Each time you change your trash bag, sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon and cayenne pepper along the bottom of the bin over a dry surface. You can even dust the edges or the lid for extra protection. Just remember, a little goes a long way!
Some people like to add a bay leaf or a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar to boost the effects. This triple-layered approach can be a strong deterrent, especially during the hottest months when flies are most active.
Simple habits to amplify your kitchen defense against flies
From personal experience, the spices alone helped me cut down on flies around my garbage by more than half during a scorching July. But combining this trick with a few extra habits truly made a difference.
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For example, I started taking out the trash more frequently—even if the bin wasn’t full. This meant I never gave flies a chance to settle in. Also, wiping out the bin regularly, especially if moisture had accumulated, kept the environment less inviting.
Another key move is to wrap particularly smelly scraps like fish or meat in newspaper or sealed containers before tossing them out. This reduces the stew of odors that initially attracted the flies.
Most importantly, keep your trash can firmly closed at all times. It sounds simple, but I’ve seen plenty of garbage bins with lids almost left open or loosely placed. Every gap is an invitation to flies.
Do you have any unusual kitchen or home hacks to keep flies away? What’s your biggest summertime insect annoyance? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear what works for you. Try this spice trick and these extra tips this summer, then let us know how your fly situation improves!
For Many years I have stored my garbage in plastic produce bags in the Freezer. Scraps. bones. anything that attracts flies inside or scavengers out SIDE. No Flies No Skunks No Racoons etc. Put Frozen garbage out on trash day.
I learned this from a summer camp that chilled a room to eliminate bees in their garbage.
This is a common practice on Coronado Island, California. Smart and classy 😎
Yes !!!! You took my advice l learn that years ago and it works very well . My issue now is the fruit flies even though l don’t keep lots of fruit around , their even go in my refrigerator ! I took everything out and thoroughly clean out my it, and found dead ones make sure you don’t have any spills that draw them ! I found using the apple cider vinegar n dish soap traps them l keep little containers throughout my house in every room to eliminate them it works great 😃
Yes or a little oil in a small container traps all buugs even flies but zevo works wonderful top and traps all bugs and flies
What type of oil? I though cinnamon or cayenne pepper but that will reply flies not attract them them to the oil, which I presume is meant to trap them.
I have not had good luck with Zevo. Knats driving me crazy. Tried apple cider vinegar, with dish soap, tried bombing the kitchen with biological spray. Using an electric tennis racket looking tool that works pretty good but not perfect. Have not tried oil. Also I poured boiling water down my drains. Pesky knats still show up.
Fruit flies nest in sink drains. Lavender Fabulouso in the drain and let it stand fir a bit takes care of their proliferation.
I do the same thing. Once the bag is frozen, I take it out on trash day.
Same Jim! I’ve been doing this for years. Although I came about this idea the hard way when I went out of town for a week & forgot to take the trash out before I left. Came home to maggots inside & outside of the kitchen garbage can. Now I have a dedicated shelf for scraps in the freezer for this very reason!
Awesome thanks
I have a spray bottle filled with 91% rubbing alcohol. Flies die FAST if you spray it on them. The plus is it evaporates fast and your not using chemicals in your kitchen.
I soak cottonballs and put pure lavender on them and tuck them in the siding around my door. No flies .
Yep, this is the best one, for sure!
Used in Commercial restaurants kitchens. In some places it is even the law and code.
Like you said, totally and completely eliminates the problems, especially good at keeping rodents away!
I wonder if cinnamon and cayenne pepper would help keep flies out of the home if placed near a door?
The will keep fly’s out. Jill
Where would you place it? I live in an apartment and have a dog. Any ideas on how to strategically place it so she won’t get harmed?
Absolutely! I put a little of both on window sills anddddd they don’t even bother around my wayyy lol lol lol 🤣
Try using half a lemon with cloves studded into it! Put it by your window the flies won’t come in I guarantee! They gate the smell! You will have to change the lemon every few days when it dries out, but it really works 😃
Put pure lavender soaked cotton balls around your entry way and in the trash outside. Definitely keeps the flies away.
Fabulous tip and I always have these ingredients in. Can I’ use in my indoor trash even though I never put food scraps or bones from meat without putting in closed container. The only trash bin we have outdoors is a dumpster, which is disgusting this time of year. Wish you had a solution for that . Guess I’d need gallons of those spices for that, yes? LOL. Thanks
I planted spearmint. It took off and grew wild. Absolutely no flies or mosquitoes
Wonder if I cd plant spears mint all over our kitchen & bathrooms!🤔
Could you plant some and put it right beside your door to keep them out of the house?
You could actually make your own spray by boiling water and steeping those spices. Transfer to a spray bottle and spray it around the edges, top and wherever else flies seem to gather. You could mist the top every few days, and that may just work! (You may have to experiment with dilution rates, and use or re-use an empty spray bottle to save money, too)
Or just buy essential oils where you only need a few drops in water
Which essential oils please?
Ur advise, Pat is I think much more Practical…! I’ll take it. Thnx much. Happy day.. U, madam!
Great 💡 idea
Thank You for sharing, I have fly problems and 🐝 Bees, mosquitos can You help me out with Them “?, .
Don’t harm the bee’s they do a fantastic job. As for others you can buy citronella candles or oil to spray. I found they don’t like clove or peppermint so you could make your own spray
Bay leaf cell – cycle arrests all germs in waterways!
I make spray with peppermint oil and water in a spray bottle.I used it for ants in my house,got rid of them.Added bonus was we had mice in and out.I sprayed my bottom cabinets with it and no more mice.
Thank you for the tips. After moving to the foothills I have every flying insect God created.
I can’t get rid of our flies🪰 or ants🐜 !! I am seriously at my wits’ end!!! I feel like I’m living in a jungle!
Good Morning
Thank you for the excellent ideas to get rid of the fly menace.
I live in Sr Lanka
Can we use black pepper instead of Cayenne pepper?
It wd be great if you use your wisdom to get rid of nasty dance mosquitoes in our garden. Whenever I go to garden whether it’s morning or evening, I get bitten by nuisance mosquitoes- not Dengue 🦟.
Much love & blesdings
Dr Latha
Get some ‘Skin So Soft” oil by Avon! Smells good and mosquitoes hate the smell.
Someone said to plant spearmint to deter them. U cd give that a try! Good luck!
I used to soap up my arms and legs before I went to garden then just hop in the shower when I am done, works like a charm without chemicals
Female Mosquitos are the ones that seek out our blood to feed on for the purpose of feeding their offspring. The mass majority of them feed at dawn/morning and again near dusk hours, though they can strike at any time. They have a nose for a certain sent that they can pick out even one mile away! Those who have blood type “0” are like a magnet and are more at risk of being a target 🎯 especially if you’re sweating 😓 or your heart rate is up like if your trying to hurry to finish a project you are working on, like finishing weeding in the garden, raking the grass, etc. in the morning, the best thing to do is enjoy your Bible or a good book, magazine or do some knitting and enjoy a good cup of tea or coffee until later in the day and get done all you can by late afternoon/early evening and get back indoors. I have tried many deturants that don’t work. I have yet to try lume/mando products to find out if they work to keep those pests away.
Thanks for sharing.I haven’t done that before but I think I will give it a go because my trash can is always stood outdoor.
Take care.
I sure do need this help. Flys are taking over. Thx
YES THEY ARE EVERY YEAR ST THIS TIME I ALWAYS HAVE FLIES!! IT’S SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE HAVING A CERTAIN TIME TO COME IN. AND I KEEP MY HOUSE CLEAN AND I MAKE SURE MY TRASH IS OUT!! THERE COMING IN SOME HOW!! AND I KEEP MY DOOR CLOSED AT All TIMES!! AND MY WINDOWS ClOSED TOO!
Why all caps?
Will it work in an outdoor dog run and be safe for pets to walk on?
There natural herbs and spice so won’t harm your animals, don’t ever give them garlic though.
Garlic does not hurt your dog’s. Not unless they ate a wheel barrel full. However do not let dogs near cayenne or black pepper.
Thank you for the tip. Ammonia and black pepper helps with flies too.ix together and add water. Put it in an empty spray bottle.
I can’t stand knats and mosquitoes. I stay inside more this summer than last summer.
What will repel red wasps?
Works great! I also sprinkle a little Black Pepper in the window sill in kitchen and edge where countertops meet the wall which keeps pesky ants away!
I just wish they didn’t like crawfish. Tons of cayenne that they happily ignore in my trash.
Best thing I do to stop the flies is to twist and force a knot in the garbage bag opening. Also, if you can smell the garbage, in your house or outside, you can be sure the flies smell it too. All ideas prior to mine excell and I use some of them. I plan to buy cinnamon & cayenne on my next shopping trip.
Thanks for sharing
I’m not seeing many comments about the extremely toxic levels most of these spices and natural scents like lavender etc…are to pets and other
animals. I rarely use chemicals so it is very challenging. Especially here in Florida. I will use fly strips if safely placed and have even gotten Venus fly traps..ugh! It’s the pets I worry most about. Good old fly swatters are always close, lol. Good luck, everyone!
Is there anything that I can spray on myself to keep the flies and mosquitoes off of me
I sprinkle Ajax or Comet cleanser in the outside bin and a bit in each bag,works great
I use peppermint oil and add water to a small spray bottle and spray around my trash can lids. I also spray on my door screen so they won’t fly in.
I can fly for free this summer!