To get rid of flies at home, you can always use the famous fly swatter! But natural methods such as essential oils are also effective in scaring them away.
THE flies it’s painful ! Of course there is the famous fly swatter to overcome it but if you rather want make them go away and avoid the yellow streamer hanging from the kitchen ceiling, try essential oils (EO). Here are those recommended by Sandra Lissorgue, naturopath.
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil (Corymbia or Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) ‘to ne not to be confused with HE of globular eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus) which has virtues for the lower ENT sphere (broncho-pulmonary)”, says Sandra Lissorgue, is a natural fly repellent “but also against the mosquitoeslice, ticks and fleas”. “Daily, the diffusion of this EO will keep the rooms away from insects.” On broadcast : adults -> 20 minutes every hour and children from 6 years old -> 5 minutes every hour maximum.
True Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is an aromatic plant well known in the fight against many insects. Its essential oil has very good repellent properties due to its linalool and linalyl acetate content. Linalool comes in particular in the composition of certain anti-fly products found in commerce. When mixed with other insect repellent essential oils, that of True Lavender, by its characteristic smell and its specific composition will thus be a natural way to keep flies away. “It has both a repellent action against all types of insects and soothing properties against stings of these same insects” says the specialist. This additional benefit will be particularly appreciated against mosquitoes (as flies do not bite).
► On broadcast:
- adults: 15 mins per hour
- children from 6 years old: 5 minutes per hour
- children under 6 years old: 5 minutes per hour, in the absence of the child
Geranium essential oil
Geranium Rosat essential oil is also called HE Pelargonium asperum cv Egypt, Pelargonium odoratissimum, Pelargonium roseum or Pelargonium graveolens. It comes from Egypt and North Africa. The flowering aerial parts are used. It is an essential oil that repels all types of insects including flies. Pregnant women and babies can use this essential oil in atmospheric diffusion.
► On broadcast:
- Adults and children from 12 years old: 15 mins per hour
- Children from 6 years old: 5 minutes per hour in the presence of the child
- Child from 3 months to 6 years old: 5 minutes per hour in the absence of the child
Lemongrass essential oil from Java
Java Lemongrass essential oil is also called HE Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor. It comes from India and Indonesia. The flowering aerial parts are used. It repels all insects whose flies.
► Broadcast use : From 3 months. “Pour the number of drops indicated on the diffuser instructions. Diffuse in periods of up to 30 minutes“. Pregnant women and babies can use this essential oil in atmospheric diffusion but prefer in this case, shorter ranges: 5-10 minutes.
Peppermint essential oil
Also called HE Mentha piperita or peppermint oil, Peppermint essential oil can come from France, India or the United States. The flowering aerial parts are used. “THE menthol it contains is indeed an interesting repellent thanks to that powerful scent that will repel flies“suggests Sandra Lissorgue.
► Broadcast use: “You don’t have to not diffuse pure Peppermint essential oilit’s necessary dilute it between 10 and 15% in other essential oils”.
► Forbidden to pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies and children under 6 years old and contraindicated for people with epilepsy.
Clove essential oil
“Also called HE Eugenia caryophyllus or Syzygium aromaticum, clove essential oil comes from Madagascar, Indonesia and Sri Lanka“, continues the naturopath. We use its dry flower buds (“nails“). “Known to be a hot smelling spiceit disrupts the olfactory receptors of insects, who walk away in his presence or are eliminated. It will also be formidable against the domestic pests that have taken up residence in your home.
► “Plant a few cloves in half a lemon, and let it rest near the windows and where the flies enter the house”.
► You can also use it in diffusion but “not pure. It must be diluted to a maximum of 10% (10% or 1 drop) with other essential oils (90% or 9 drops)”. To be used for short periods”.
- Forbidden to pregnant and breastfeeding women, young babies and children under 6 years old
- Not recommended for adults on anticoagulants
- Use with the utmost caution for hypertensive people
- Oral route not recommended for people with liver disorders
Basil essential oil
Also called EO Ocimum basilicum, tropical or exotic Basil essential oil comes from France, Italy, Spain, Sicily and India. We use its flowering aerial parts. “Basil essential oil has highly effective insect repellent effects thanks to its linalool content, details the specialist. These molecules, released into the atmosphere during the diffusion of Basil essential oil, will contribute to creating a environment hostile to flies, who will never come back to you“.
► On broadcast : “do not diffuse pure Tropical Basil essential oil. Dilute it to a maximum of 10% (10% or 1 drop) with other essential oils (90% or 9 drops“.
- adults: 10 minutes 3 times a day
- children under 12: contraindicated
► Not for oral or dermal use in case of anticoagulant treatment.
Combawa essential oil
Also called HE cumbava, cumbaba, kaffir lime, makrut and Citrus hystrix (Latin), Combawa (zest) essential oil is native to Madagascar, Indonesia, Southern Europe and Central America. We use its leaves. “Flies and insects can’t stand the lemony, tangy smell of combawa!“says our interlocutor.
► On broadcast “mixed with other essential oils“.
► Contraindications: “swe use is not recommended in the first months of pregnancy”.
When buying essential oil, choose the one that has the mention WEEKLY (Botanically and Biochemically Defined Essential Oil) on the bottle. “This label means that the essential oils are defined both botanically (producing organ of the plant, exact Latin botanical name, chemotype, country of origin) and chemically (a chromatography is carried out for each new batch of essential oil )“, recommends the naturopath. It is a guarantee of quality. “Other labs use the HECT label, similar to that of HEBBD, which stands for ChemoTyped Essential Oil and which is also quality guarantee of essential oils botanically and biochemically“.
Thanks to Sandra Lissorgue, naturopath at Plessis-Grammoire (49) and member of the Médoucine network, for her participation.