This is the quirkiest fly-repelling patio trick I've ever seen – pest pros say it'll help you enjoy fly-free al fresco dining this summer

When you think of keeping flies away when dining outside, you'd be forgiven if your mind doesn't automatically go to disco balls. But, if you're a fan of al-fresco meals, hanging one up could be just the ticket for keeping your patio fly-free without chemicals.

While our pest control experts explain that it won't work well on cloudy days, they do agree that it's a fun way to add flair to your patio and repel those annoying flies and a good trick to add to your arsenal this summer.

Here, they explain how to use a disco ball to keep flies away outside and the things to use in tandem to bolster its power.

Does using a disco ball to repel flies work?

While I personally don't need any excuse to hang a disco ball in my garden, I spoke to pest control expert, Juan C. Rezk, CMO of Certus, on whether this trick has any substance as a home remedy to get rid of flies.

His answer? 'The disco ball trick has been around, and I can attest that it can be effective in the correct setting,' he advises. 'It's not magic, though.'

As Juan explains, because flies mostly rely on light and reflection for navigation, hanging a disco ball, such as the bestselling Alytimes Mirror Disco Ball available at Amazon, therefore, works in the right conditions.

'Their sense of direction may be affected by the reflections cast everywhere by a spinning disco ball in direct sunshine,' he says. 'It doesn't harm them, but if it irritates them enough, they may avoid the area.'

Nicole Carpenter, president at Black Pest Prevention, agrees, adding that a disco ball can help, but may not always be a reliable solution because it only works under 'perfect' conditions you simply can't guarantee.

She says, 'You need strong, direct sunlight and a bit of wind to move it so the light scatters in every direction, but the weather is not equally sunny and breezy every day.'

Whilst it won't work well at night, during the day it will need to be placed somewhere bright and sunny to capture and reflect the light, rather than being hidden away in the shade.

Where does the disco ball trick work best?

According to Juan, using a disco ball to get rid of gnats and flies works best outside, on decks, patios, and barns.

'To truly reflect, it requires direct sunlight or a powerful light source,' he explains. 'Inside is not worth it though. Flies just ignore the scatter effect because most interior lighting isn't intense enough to produce it.'

But, reiterates Nicole, 'even outdoors, you rarely get those "perfect" conditions for it to do its job effectively.'

How to make the disco ball more effective

'I usually suggest pairing it with something that genuinely works if someone wants to give it a try,' continues Juan. And, if all-natural solutions are what you're after, there are plenty of additional natural pest control methods you can use in conjunction.

'The heavy lifting will be done by a good attractant or fly trap,' recommends Juan. 'Check out the RESCUE! Outdoor Disposable Hanging Fly Trap available at Amazon.Your disco ball and the trap should be a few feet apart; one captures, the other distracts.

And, to Nicole, nothing beats basic cleanliness and a couple of off-the-shelf fly traps.

She recommends, 'Baited disposable traps are best for outdoors, and plug-in UV light traps [such as the Zevo Flying Insect Indoor Fly Trap available at Walmart] are best for indoors. Sticky ribbons work too, but hardly add charm to your home.

'Avoid things attracting pests to your home like keeping food uncovered and trash bins open, and take advantage of ceiling fans. Flies hate wind and can’t fly straight, so they’ll just give up and buzz off.'

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Juan C. Rezk

Juan is a US-based pest control expert who has 11 years of experience, and joined CERTUS in the summer of 2023.

Nicole Carpenter

Nicole started working at Black Pest Prevention when she was in high school, and continued working there while attending N.C. State University. Eventually, she became the CEO. Black Pest Prevention is a company that helps with pest control in Charlotte and serves both North and South Carolina.

So, is the disco ball addition a pest control myth – fact or fiction?

'In summary, if flies are ruining your outdoor meal, this inexpensive additional layer is a good solution, but it's not a stand-alone solution,' concludes Juan.