4 Reasons Why Flies Are Attracted to You

by Derrick | Last Updated: October 13, 2021

Flies are among the most abundant insect orders, with over 100,000 species classified into over 150 distinct insect families worldwide. While these bugs have their advantages, it may be very irritating when you’re out with pals, and you’re the fly’s favorite target.

Here are 4 reasons why flies are attracted to you:

1. Your skin is salty from sweat.
2. The flies are attracted to your body odor.
3. You have an open wound.
4. You’re wearing an attractive color.

This post will discuss why flies like your company. Additionally, I will give easy methods for preventing flies from constantly buzzing around you.

1. Your Skin Is Salty From Sweat

For flies, the human body exudes nutrition. So while the typical housefly is not interested in biting, it is interested in sucking up the salt, dead skin, oil, and anything else they find appetizing on your exposed skin.

Flies are attracted to sweat, proteins, carbohydrates, salts, sugars, and other substances excreted by your skin.

If you sweat more than the typical person, you may encounter flies more often than your colleagues.

Additionally, body heat and moisture play a role.

While many kinds of flies are drawn to body heat, others seek wetness. These flies are attracted to sweat and the mucus surrounding your eyes and nose, which are a source of moisture for them.

2. The Flies Are Attracted to Your Body Odor

Certain bodily smells attract flies more than others.

For instance, if you have a pet and spend a lot of time with them, their scent will cling to you. Flies like this smell and will flock to you as a result.

Animal food is another smell that attracts flies. This might be the cause of the annoying pests if you recently fed your pet.

Additionally, you may have a pleasant, fruity odor. This fragrance would attract flies because they like sugar.

Also, some flies are interested in yeast and therefore are drawn to ferment items or have the potential to ferment, such as sugar, fruit, and, of course, authentic yeast.

As a result, if you consume alcohol or use grooming products that include alcohol, you will attract bugs like fruit flies.

Additionally, a large number of flies are attracted to decaying garbage and other food waste. It’s likely that you recently came into contact with bad food and the odor clung to you, drawing the flies.

Among the other potential causes of the odor are the following:

• Uncovered garbage cans
• Manure or pet excrement
• Fruit fermenting on surfaces
• Soda spills

3. You Have an Open Wound

Flies are drawn to open wounds and injured skin. These insects are aware that they can get as much nourishment as they can from a single meal when they feast on your injury.

Their mouth portions are spongy, similar to a vacuum pump, to allow them to gather the minerals.

Additionally, they are drawn to this nutrient-dense area to lay eggs. However, flies lay eggs only when they are sure they will not be killed by the host’s immunity or other circumstances.

As a result, a fly is unlikely to lay eggs on a healthy, moving human.

4. You’re Wearing an Attractive Color

Flies are enticed by particular shades depending on their species.

Because flies are thermotropic, they prefer black clothing because it absorbs and retains the heat of the sun’s rays better than white or pale fabrics.

Dark moving things attract horse flies and midges. Wearing dark colors exposes you to the danger of resembling their favorite prey, including deer, cattle, and horses.

If you reside in a region where these flies are prevalent, bright colors and white are unquestionably the best options.

Bright hues, extremely dark colors, shiny materials, and the color blue all attract the tsetse fly. When dealing with this bug, it is recommended that you wear neutral colors.

House flies like blue and green colors. Some suggest that wearing white may help repel these insects.

How To Repel Flies

Flies may be tough to keep at bay. However, there are numerous straightforward solutions you can try to avoid becoming a fly target. Keep reading as I share several effective ways to repel flies.

Wear Striped Clothing

Many biting flies are deterred by stripes, according to studies.

In fact, stripes are a natural defense mechanism for zebras against these pests, and it has been shown to be effective.

It is unclear why stripes repel flies. Some suggest that it disrupted the polarized light flies perceive, but this theory was debunked in 2016. 

Nonetheless, wearing your own zebra-print t-shirts or other clothes reduces your chances of attracting flies and other pests.

Apply Essential Oils to Exposed Body Parts

Essential oils have been proven to have multiple uses, one of which is as insect repellents. Each essential oil is unique, and instructions for usage are often included in the package, so follow them as closely as you can.

Certain fragrances will repel and keep flies away while being harmless and safe to apply on oneself. These are some examples:

• Mint
• Basil
• Marigold
• Lavender
• Cinnamon
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Lemongrass 

You can also use the smells listed above around your home by growing plants and using air fresheners, candles, or diffusers.

Cover Your Face and Other Exposed Areas

The insect sensory system in flies and mosquitoes aids in the detection of exposed skin. 

Typically, you should leave the house wearing clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible to prevent the flies from having access.

Because the skin around your face is often exposed, flies will swarm about your face, but there is clothing to avoid this.

You can try wearing any eyewear, including goggles and sunglasses, to avoid having to brush flies away from your eyes when outdoors.

It’s also a good idea to wear a hat. Wearing a hat can block off some insects effectively that may enter your eyes, nose, and mouth.

However, while hats are practical, you should use this method and other methods to keep flies away. That’s because wearing a hat will still expose your face.

I recommend wearing a netting hat for maximum facial protection. A netting hat is not always practical, but it is ideal for camping, fishing, and trekking.

Other parts of your body need protection as well. In addition to long-sleeved shirts and trousers, wear socks, closed shoes, and gloves if you can tolerate the additional clothing.

Avoid Using Fruit-Scented Products

Sweet fragrances, as previously said, are among the most appealing aromas to flies. Therefore, it is best to avoid items containing fruity scents, such as lotions, perfumes, and body sprays.

I would also advise against using sweet detergents since they will be appealing to the fly.

Consider using fragrance-free items when out on a stroll, and flies will be less likely to bother you.

Use a DEET Repellant

If you avoid scented products but still find that flies are drawn to your smell, you should consider using insect repellent.

When choosing an insect repellent, look for the active ingredients DEET or picaridin.

DEET and picaridin provide the most outstanding protection against flies, although DEET is the most frequently used component.

DEET-containing products usually come in various formulations, such as sprays or lotions, allowing you to choose your preferred way of protection.

Keep in mind that greater DEET concentrations will provide you with longer-lasting protection.