If it wasn’t already bad enough that flies are annoying insects that buzz around the place and target our food, we also have to deal with their poop! Don’t be fooled into believing that they’re just relaxing and observing their environment while they sit on your walls. On the contrary, these buggers are pooping on walls. I was stunned to discover their poop in different areas of my home, and this got me into a frenzy. So, I thoroughly scanned the internet to find tips on how to clean fly poop on walls.
I took some time to clean the fly poop off my walls, but I also tested a few things to prevent it from happening frequently.
After a month, I’m happy to report that I’ve been able to keep most of my walls fly poop free. All it took was an adjustment to my cleaning routine along with a few fly repellents to keep my walls free of fly poop.
What Does Fly Poop Look Like?
Okay, how about we get the gross part out of the way before we move onto the solution? Great. Here’s what you need to know about fly poop.
More often than not, they look like specks or fragments of dirt. In fact, it kind of looks as if you have some dirt from the ground outside on the walls.
Usually, fly droppings on walls appear close to each other. They’re in clusters and look like small black or brown dots on the wall.
You’re not really going to smell anything from them because they’re so tiny and insignificant compared to other things in your home that have an odor or scent.
So, for the most part, you shouldn’t really have an issue with fly poop stinking up the room.
That’s a relief!
But, it’s still nasty. Any type of poop is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Moreover, we know that flies are carriers of pathogens that may be harmful to us. It’s not a good idea to even expose ourselves to the possibility of fly poop landing on our food or liquids.
So for these reasons, there’s merit to cleaning fly poop that’s on the walls.
Tips On Cleaning Fly Poop
Step 1: Gather your cleaning products
To properly remove and clean fly poop from walls, you will need the following:
- A cloth or brush.
- A spray bottle.
- A cleaning agent.
- Paper towels or tissue.
I’ve used both processed chemical cleaners and natural cleaning agents to remove fly poop, and they both worked.
I’d say that the chemical cleaners or products were more effective, whereas the natural products worked well enough but without the toxic properties of the chemical cleaners.
You want to look for something that can break down and disinfect surfaces. Remember, fly poop can dry up on the wall if it is left uncleaned for some time.
2. Spray the solution onto the wall
I think most of us will agree that it’s not good enough to just dust or wipe off fly poop. What we want to do is look for hot spots that attract flies.
If you notice a pattern of fly droppings on specific walls or rooms, there’s a good chance that there’s some kind of substance or scent that attracts flies to that spot.
Some flies are attracted to decaying organic filth, whereas others are attracted to sweet and sugary things, even alcohol.
You don’t know if someone had these things on their hands and touched the walls. If you have kids at home, I probably don’t have to tell you how common this is.
So, by spraying a disinfectant and cleaning agent or solution onto the wall, not only do we kill any germs or bacteria caused by the fly poop, but we can also clean off any substances that attract flies to the wall.
3. Let the solution sit for a few minutes
Some products work almost instantly, whereas others may need more time to break down stubborn stains or odors.
This is why I recommend leaving the cleaning solution on for a few minutes.
Anywhere between 5 and 10 minutes should be long enough. In some cases, it takes up to 15 minutes. But, be sure to take a spot test. By spot testing, you can avoid any damage or discoloration from occurring to the paint.
4. Wipe off the liquid and fly poop
I like to use a wet cloth to wipe off the fly poop and solution from the wall to ensure that the surface is cleaned properly.
The first time around, I’ll wipe over the wall several times to make sure that all of the fly poop has been removed as well as whatever extra solution is on the wall.
Thereafter, I’ll rinse the cloth in warm water, squeeze it out, rinse it again, and then proceed to wipe the wall again.
This should clean up and remove any and all solutions from the wall.
5. Dry the wall
You could just let the wall dry on its own, but in the event that there’s too much water on the wall, I suggest using paper towels or tissues to soak up most of the additional water.
It shouldn’t take more than a few seconds. But, what I will suggest is that you use paper towels or tissues that are 2-ply. I’ve noticed that 1-ply tissue tends to break down and stick to wet surfaces far too easily.
6. Apply essential oils to the spot
This is just an additional and optional step, but I’ve noticed that it works for me.
I’m a huge fan of essential oils. Every afternoon, I drop them into my humidifier and enjoy a refreshing scent.
It has been claimed that certain essential oils like mint, lemon balm, orange peel, or eucalyptus repel flies.
What you could also do is add a few drops of essential oils to a water bottle. Use a nozzle that sprays a light mist. Apply this to the wall that has the most fly droppings and observe whether it repels flies.
How To Prevent Fly Poop On Walls
Given that flies are usually attracted to food items and other disposable and rotting items, it’s a good idea to store food properly.
Rather than displaying fruits near a wall or window, try to store them in a basket or in the fridge.
Similarly, don’t leave meat products out for long periods of time.
When you’ve worked on a table or sink, it is advisable to wash up and clean those surfaces after use.
When cleaning, always use some kind of cleaning solution that will remove any odors or spills.
Installing a fly net in rooms that are prone to flies is another useful solution.
There are also battery operated lanterns that attract flies via light or scent. These products either trap flies or kill them.
Most people install these lanterns outside, near doorways or windows.
Lastly, I would advise you to dust walls at least once a week or twice a month to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating.
A good cleaning regimen can make a world of difference in this situation.
Final Thoughts
That brings us to the end of this article on how to clean fly poop on walls.
As long as you follow the step-by-step instructions in this article, you should be able to completely disinfect and clean your walls of fly poop.
Believe me when I tell you that I understand how gross this feels. I can’t stand the idea of something like fly poop.
Thankfully, there are ways to clean it and to prevent it.
With that being said, I hope you found this article to be helpful and practical. If you would like to read some of our other useful articles on cleaning your home, then check out the links below.