This outdoor dining entertaining hack on how to get rid of flies outside is one to bookmark! It turns out that getting rid of flies outside is as simple as buying a common $3 item!

Okay, so chatting about flies might not be the most romantic dinner conversation. But let’s be honest Few things are more irritating than being swarmed by them while you’re trying to enjoy a meal al fresco. We picked up a simple, game-changing entertaining hack to repel flies during our Harbour Island trip several years ago! Life by the beach is all about soaking up the outdoors. But it also meant that every meal turned into a little pest-control mission.

We were having dinner at a beachside restaurant when the locals shared the easiest trick for keeping flies away. We’d almost forgotten this little Bahamian secret, until we set up our new Article Teaka outdoor dining table and chairs this spring. We even built a DIY battery operated outdoor light to enjoy lakeside meals at our new setup.

But the pesky flies? They were totally killing the vibe. And if you know us, you know better than to mess with our love of entertaining!

a hand placing a gel can on a gold lantern to show how to keep flies away outside

Table of Contents

Tricks for Getting Rid of Flies

Any outdoor dining setup is basically an open invitation for flies in warm weather. Since we like to avoid pesticides (especially around the table), we went looking for a different kind of deterrent that wouldn’t turn us into fly bait. Naturally, we weren’t about to let bug lamps, light traps, or those unattractive fly tape strips ruin our beautiful Article tablescape. So, we decided to put our Bahamas trick to good use… in style.

Naturally, we weren’t going to let fly lamps, light trap, or an ugly fly trap tape ruin our Article tablescape. So we put my Bahamas trick to good use in style! Any guesses? This easy fly-control hack only calls for:

Sterno canned heat (he small canned fuel often used for keeping buffet dishes warm)
Stick lighter
Decorative candle vase (optional if you’re feeling fancy)

lighting a gel can to show how to keep flies away outside

Using Sterno to Keep Flies Away

The flies are instantly deterred once you light the Sterno gel. They’ll stay away as long as the gel keeps burning, which is several hours. Keep in mind that if you have a large gathering or an 8-person table like ours, you’ll need a place can every few feet.

To dress it up, we removed the outside label and placed it inside a heat-safe decorative vase before lighting it. Not only does this serve as decor for your tablescape, but it’s also a great way to make sure that no one happens to bump into the can of Sterno since it gets very hot to the touch.

All Sterno cans come with tight-fitting lids that you remove before lighting the gel. But be sure to save them so that you can reuse the canned heat for other outdoor dining occasions.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Flies

While the Sterno trick is our go-to (since it works really well and fast), you might need a backup plan if you’re in a pinch. Here are a few other all-natural ways to use organic materials and common household items to get rid of a fly infestation:

Scent-Based Deterrents — Use spices and herbs: Incorporate fly-repelling herbs like rosemary, citronella, cinnamon, basil, lavender, and mint into your table décor. Not only do they smell amazing, but citronella torches and candles also double as mosquito repellents. Win-win!
Decoy Traps — Water and pennies to keep flies away: Fill a clear glass with water and drop in 4-5 old pennies. Strange as it sounds, it works! Adult flies are wary of larger “bugs” and the light refraction tricks them into thinking something bigger is lurking. For a larger area, fill clear plastic bags with water and pennies, then hang them a few feet away from your dining space.
Air Movement — Fly swatter fan: Flies hate wind. So their quiet operation and wide coverage make them an ideal solution for maintaining a comfortable dining atmosphere. Aim airflow directly across food lines rather than from behind (so flies can’t “sneak in”). If using a canopy, mount small battery or plug-in fans inside.

placing a gel can inside a brass lantern

Essential Oils to Repel Flies

Citronella oil: Another traditional fly repellent using citronella oil can be made by combining four ounces of mineral oil and thirty drops of citronella oil. Shake the ingredients together and then add two ounces of soap flakes. Mix the ingredients together and put them in a spray bottle. It can be used to repel flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects, which is why we made our Balloon Dipped DIY Citronella Candle.
Peppermint oil: A simple oil-repellent can be made by combining peppermint oil with either water or carrier oil. We recommend using a spray bottle for this recipe. Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to two ounces of water or carrier oil such as coconut oil, jojoba, almond, or grape-seed. Shake the ingredients together and then apply to your skin or to surfaces that will be exposed to flies.
Clove oil: A simple mixture of 5 drops of clove oil with 2 ounces of water can provide a natural fly repellent as well. Add the drops of clove oil to the water and use them in a spray bottle if possible. Shake before each application to keep the ingredients mixed together.
Cedar oil: One of the most traditional oils used to repel flies outdoors is cedar oil. It can also be combined with other essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus, clove oil, lemongrass oil, and citronella. Cedar wood chips or cedar oil-repellent mats can be used to repel flies and other insects in your yard. Simply add a few drops of cedar oil to the chips or mats for an extra repellent effect.
Eucalyptus oil: One of the most effective essential oils for repelling flies is eucalyptus oil. It can be used alone or in combination with other essential oils such as peppermint, citronella, and lemongrass oil. Eucalyptus oil can be added to water in a spray bottle if desired.

Physical Barriers for Outdoor Dining

Physical barriers are another effective ways to keep flies away without using chemicals.

Mesh food covers and cloches: Allow guests to see the food while keeping insects from landing on it.
“Screened in” dining: For full coverage, screened dining tents or table umbrellas with mesh drapes provide an enclosed space that still feels airy.
Food storage containers and serving lids: You can also keep backup dishes in sealed containers or under serving tray lids, only uncovering them when it’s time to serve. You can even make your own DIY food domes.

outdoor article dining table and chairs with vases

What Causes Flies Outside

Flies outside are usually the result of 3 main factors: food sources, breeding sites, and environmental conditions. One of the most effective ways to keep flies at bay is to eliminate whatever’s attracting them in the first place. Many of these culprits are easy to overlook. But they can turn your yard or patio into a fly magnet in no time. Use this quick checklist to help you stay ahead of the problem:

Seal trash cans tightly: Make sure all outdoor bins have snug, secure lids to contain odors and keep flies from finding a free buffet.
Wipe up spills promptly: Sugary drinks, cocktails, or even soda splashes can draw flies instantly. Clean up any sticky residue before it becomes a calling card.
Keep food areas closed off: After an outdoor gathering, close doors and windows as much as possible to prevent flies from sneaking inside.
Pick up pet waste: As much as we adore our four-legged friends, their “potty breaks” outside can attract flies quickly. Scan the yard and clean up right away.
Remove fallen fruit & rotting vegetation: Overripe fruit from trees or decomposing plant matter in garden beds can become breeding grounds for flies.
Empty standing water: While standing water attracts mosquitoes more than house flies, it can create damp areas that encourage other pests, which in turn draw flies.

photo of an article teaka outdoor dining table and chairs

More Entertaining Hacks

Now we just need to cure the family fruit bowl of fruit flies and we’ll be set! Do you all have any tried and true tricks for getting rid of flies outsides? Be sure to let us know in the comments! Just in case a fly problem isn’t your thing, you can find more of my favorite outdoor DIY’s and entertaining hacks here! —

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