How To Get Rid Of Flies In Garage: 12 Expert Tips That Work

Like tiny helicopters with bad intentions, flies can turn your garage into a place you avoid instead of use. You may feel embarrassed as the door opens and a cloud of them rushes out, or frustrated because they keep coming back no matter how many you swat. The positive news is you’re not stuck with them. Once you understand why they’re there and which simple habits drive them out for good, everything starts to change.

Regularly Empty Your Garage Trash

Once you’re tired of chasing flies around your garage, the primary real step is to look at your trash. As you keep a regular trash removal routine, you cut off their main food source and stop that buzzing cloud from growing. You’re not being picky; you’re protecting your space.

Start with emptying garage trash before it smells. This simple habit gives you strong odor control, so flies don’t feel invited.

Then clean the inside and outside of your trash cans with an all-purpose cleaner or a little bleach and water. You’ll wash away sticky residue flies love.

Double bag food scraps, then tie bags tightly.

Rinse cans and bottles initially, so sweet juices don’t call fruit flies to hang out.

Keep All Bins Covered With Tight-Fitting Lids

Even though you empty your trash on time, flies will still show up whenever the bins stay open and easy to reach.

So you’re not doing anything “wrong” you just need one more layer of fly prevention. Tight-fitting lids turn your garage into a place where flies don’t feel welcome.

Whenever lids seal well, they trap smells that usually call flies over like a dinner bell.

With good trash management, flies can’t reach food scraps, pet waste, or sticky packaging, so they can’t lay eggs or build a swarm.

A snug lid also keeps in nasty “trash juice,” which is a huge magnet for flies.

Deep-Clean Trash Cans Between Pickups

A simple but powerful way to keep flies out of your garage is to deep-clean your trash cans between pickups. Whenever you stay on top of trash can maintenance, you remove the “trash juice” and sticky residue that make flies feel at home. Aim for a cleaning frequency of every few weeks, so organic gunk never gets a chance to build up.

Use an all-purpose cleaner or diluted bleach and a stiff scrub brush. Reach into every corner and groove. Then rinse well and let the can dry with the lid open.

Rinse cans and bottles before tossing to keep your shared space fresh.

Double-Bag Strong-Smelling or Leaky Waste

Whenever your trash is extra stinky or a bit wet, you’ll want to double-bag it so flies can’t sniff it out so easily.

Through using two sturdy bags, you lock in more odor and stop messy leaks that can spread across your garage floor or trash can.

This simple habit keeps your bins cleaner, your garage fresher, and your stress level a lot lower.

When to Double-Bag

Before you toss any trash into a bag in your garage, it helps to pause and notice what kind of waste you’re managing with, because strong smells and leaks are like an open invitation for flies.

This simple check is a key part of smart waste management and lets you enjoy real double bagging benefits.

You’ll want to double bag whenever you throw out raw meat scraps, greasy leftovers, or spoiled food.

Do it for heavy, wet items like watermelon rinds, sauces, or soup containers.

In case a bag already feels damp, thin, or extra full, add a second bag before it tears.

Seal both bags tightly so liquids stay inside and don’t coat your bin.

Through doing this regularly, you keep your garage cleaner and make flies feel unwelcome.

Containing Odors Effectively

Strong smells make flies feel like your garage is their buffet, so containing odors becomes just as essential as choosing what to double bag.

Whenever you double bag strong-smelling or leaky trash, you trap those scents before they drift through the space. This simple step gives you better odor control and supports steady, thoughtful waste management that keeps your garage feeling welcoming.

You’re not being “picky” by doing this. You’re protecting your space, your family, and your peace of mind.

• Use thicker, puncture-resistant bags for the inner layer
• Tie each bag tightly so smells stay locked in
• Double bag meat scraps, diapers, and old pet food
• Take double-bagged trash out on a regular schedule
• Rinse and clean trash bins so leftover smells don’t build up

Preventing Leaks and Spills

Even though it feels like “just a little trash,” leaks and spills can quietly turn your garage into fly heaven. You’re not messy or careless; life just gets busy. That’s why it helps to use strong, leak proof bags for anything wet, juicy, or likely to smell.

Then, for meat scraps, leftovers, or spoiled food, double bag them. This simple step enhances odor containment and keeps flies from finding your trash. Tie each bag tightly, press out extra air, and check for tiny holes or damp spots. Should a bag look weak, slip it into a second one before it breaks.

When you carry trash to the outside bin, hold it away from your body and watch for drips.

Rinse Cans and Bottles Before Recycling

One simple habit can make a huge difference in how many flies show up in your garage: rinsing cans and bottles before you toss them into the recycling bin.

Whenever you follow simple recycling tips like this, you cut off the sweet, sticky residues that fruit flies love. A quick rinse fits easily into your daily cleanliness routine and helps your garage feel calmer and more under control.

Just a few seconds at the sink keeps containers from smelling, so flies don’t see your recycling as a buffet.

• Rinse soda cans and juice bottles right after use
• Swish with water until no sticky film remains
• Let containers drip dry before bagging
• Keep a small bin just for clean recyclables
• Empty the bin often so odors never build up

Seal Gaps and Cracks to Block Fly Entry

Whenever flies keep slipping into your garage no matter how much you clean, it often comes down to tiny gaps you barely notice.

You’re not alone in this. Flies love those small openings around doors, windows, and walls, and they share the invitation with every buzzing friend.

Start with your garage door weatherstripping. Check whether it’s cracked, loose, or flattened.

In case light shines through under or around the door, flies can get in, so replace worn strips.

Next, look at windows and vents. Make sure screens fit tightly and don’t have tears.

Even a small rip is an easy doorway.

Then, do a simple foundation crack inspection.

Seal any gaps in concrete or walls so flies lose their concealed paths into your shared space.

Limit Outdoor and Garage Lighting at Night

You’ve sealed up the cracks and blocked those sneaky entry points, but flies can still find their way to your garage provided bright lights keep calling them in at night.

Since flies love light sources, you’ll want simple nighttime strategies that make your garage less inviting, while still feeling safe and comfortable.

Try these gentle changes so your space feels calmer, not darker:

• Turn off outdoor lights whenever you’re inside and not using the garage.
• Close blinds and shades during the night so indoor light doesn’t spill outside.
• Switch to motion-activated lights for quick light only as needed.
• Use lower brightness bulbs near the garage door to cut fly attraction.
• Keep extra yard lighting to a minimum close to the garage area.

Set Up Fly Tape and Other Simple Traps

Now that you’ve cut back on bright lights, you can set up simple traps to catch the stubborn flies that are still hanging around.

You’ll hang fly tape in smart spots and also build easy jar or bottle traps with bait you already have at home.

Whenever you use both together, you create a calm, steady way to pull flies out of your garage and finally get some peace.

Hang Fly Tape Strategically

One simple way to start gaining control over flies in your garage is to hang fly tape in smart, targeted spots instead of just putting it anywhere.

Whenever you use strategic placement, you increase fly tape effectiveness and avoid drawing in more pests from outside.

Keep tape away from doors and windows so it only catches flies already inside, not new ones flying in.

Then, consider where flies actually like to hang out and focus there.

• Hang several strips near trash cans and recycling bins
• Place tape close to compost or lawn clippings you store inside
• Put strips near pet food or litter boxes if they stay in the garage
• Space tape at different heights where flies often circle
• Replace full or dusty strips often so they keep working

DIY Jar and Bottle Traps

Instead of feeling frustrated every instance a fly zips past your face, you can take control with a few simple homemade traps that quietly do the work for you.

A mason jar with apple cider vinegar or honey, plus a few drops of dish soap, makes a powerful lure. Punch tiny holes in the lid so flies go in but can’t escape. You’ll see real jar trap effectiveness at the moment you refresh the bait often.

For a bottle trap setup, cut a soda bottle in half, add bait to the bottom, then flip the top half into a funnel. Flies follow the scent and get stuck inside.

You can also use a paper cone trap or hang fly tape nearby for extra backup.

Eliminate Pet Waste and Other Organic Debris

Flies love mess, so in case your garage has pet waste or old food lying around, it can quickly turn into their favorite hangout.

Whenever you clear pet waste and other organic debris, you take away what flies need to feed and breed. This step helps your garage feel cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone at home.

Use these simple habits to stay ahead of flies:

• Pick up pet waste right away and toss it in a sealed trash bin.
• Sweep up organic debris like food crumbs, leaves, and plant scraps.
• Wipe the floor around litter boxes, kennels, and bedding regularly.
• Keep pet food in sealed containers, not open bags or bowls.
• Take out trash often so smells don’t invite flies inside.

Use Natural Repellents and Preventive Cleaning

Now that you’ve cleared out the mess that attracts flies, it’s time to make your garage a place they simply don’t want to be.

You’re not just cleaning a room. You’re protecting your space, your family, and your peace of mind.

Start by wiping down shelves, workbenches, and corners often. Clean up spills quickly so flies don’t find food. Keep trash bins sealed tight and empty them before they overflow.

Should you have pets, pick up waste right away.

Next, use natural tools that feel safer. Try a simple mix of vinegar, water, and a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil.

Spray these homemade sprays around doors, windows, and cracks. Then close doors, use screens, and enjoy a calmer garage.

Tackle Special Cases Like Drain Flies

Sometimes the “flies” in your garage aren’t coming from trash at all, but from concealed drain fly hotspots in floor drains or nearby sinks.

To handle them, you’ll initially spot where they gather, then clear and scrub those drains so the moist, dirty buildup they love is gone.

From there, you’ll keep the drains flushed, cleaned, and well maintained so these tiny pests don’t sneak back into your garage.

Identify Drain Fly Hotspots

Moist, concealed corners in your garage can quietly turn into perfect drain fly hangouts before you even notice what’s going on.

Once you understand how drain maintenance connects to these tiny pests, you can protect your space and feel more at ease.

Start with looking wherever water sits and organic debris collects.

You’ll want to gently inspect places where your garage feels damp or musty.

Check for tiny black moth-like flies resting on walls, or larvae that look like thin white worms near drains or floor cracks.

These spots often become shared problem areas for families and neighbors.

• Floor drains near utility sinks
• Cracked or slow drains next to the water heater
• Low spots where water puddles
• Edges of septic or sump pump access points
• Under mats or stored items near damp concrete

Clear and Maintain Drains

Once you’ve spotted those drain fly hotspots, the next step is to cut off their home base through really clearing and caring for your drains. You’re not alone when this part feels a little gross, but it’s where real fly prevention starts.

Begin with simple drain cleaning. Pour boiling water slowly down each drain to kill larvae hiding in slime. Then use a drain pipe brush to scrub the sides so that sticky buildup can’t hold eggs.

Next, pour in baking soda, then vinegar. Let it fizz to dismantle organic gunk, then flush with hot water.

Check that drains are sealed tight and not leaking. Even small puddles can turn into breeding spots, so you keep everything dry and uninviting to flies.

Know When It’s Time to Call a Pest Professional

How do you know at what point it’s no longer a simple fly problem and it’s time to call in a pest professional? You trust your gut and look at what’s really happening in your garage.

Here are signs it’s time to get help:

• Flies return quickly after every DIY effort
• Large numbers of flies cover walls, windows, or doors
• Strong odors or mystery moisture you can’t locate
• Flies coming from nearby properties or shared spaces
• Flies around stored food, pet bowls, or workbenches where health matters

Should flies keep swarming even after cleaning, sealing trash, and fixing drains, you might need a professional assessment. A caring pest control team can uncover concealed breeding sites and treat them safely.