How to Dispose Of Dog Poop without Attracting Flies

If you own a dog, then you must be ready to pick up after him.

It may not be the most glamorous part of owning a pup, but as the CDC advises, it is essential for keeping yards and parks clean, minimizing the risk of diseases, and being respectful to others who may be enjoying the same space.

Taking just a few moments to dispose of your pup’s number two gives them the freedom to continue gallivanting outdoors with the satisfaction that their owners have got their back!

But it’s not just about picking up after them—you’ve got to know how to do it without attracting flies.

Here are a couple of tips that might help.

1. Pick up Dog Poop As Soon As Possible After Your Dog Does Its Business

The longer the poop remains unpicked, the easier it will attract flies.

It is a lot harder to swat away hordes of unpleasant flies than it would have been if one had just done their duty as soon as possible.

Some pet parents believe in letting the poop sit for a while to make it easier to pick up.

While this may be a good hack, the opportunity cost of allowing flies to gather is too high.

If your dog has loose poop, you can try using an air compression tool to freeze it to make it easier to pick up immediately. Learn more here: How to Pick Up Soft Dog Poop from Grass

Flies are not only annoying but they can also cause diseases for your pets and family.

So, lay off being too lax and do your part in keeping the environment free from those annoying flies by picking up the dog poop immediately.

2. Use a Plastic Bag to Pick Up the Poop, Then Tie It Closed

If you really want to keep flies away from dog poop, picking the poop is not enough—you should also ensure it is properly concealed in an airtight plastic bag.

Using a plastic bag will not only help contain any lingering odors but also prevent flies from getting near the poop.

Once you have picked up the poop, you can seal the plastic bag tightly to ensure that no flies or other unwanted bugs can get in.

Granted, plastic may not be the best material for the environment, especially because there are over 69 million households that have dogs in America.

But as long as you use plastic bags responsibly, the benefits will outweigh the cons.

One way to be responsible is to use the free plastic bags that you get at when grocery shopping.

Also, you can look for biodegradable plastic bags that are specifically designed for pet waste. These are available on Amazon as well as other marketplaces. Check out this post for the best options: 10 Best Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags

What makes plastic bags ideal is their ability to minimize odors, which is one of the main reasons why flies are drawn toward dog poop in the first place.

They are also water and airtight, so you don’t have to worry about dropping the poop before you get to your destination.

3. Bury the Dog Poop

If you have the space in your backyard, you may want to consider burying the dog poop.

This not only ensures that flies will stay away from it but also eliminates any chance of unpleasant smells lingering.

Bury the waste at least six inches deep, making sure that it is completely covered.

You may want to place a layer of rocks or another heavy object on top of the buried hole to keep other animals from digging up the waste.

 You could also think of compositing the dog poop in your backyard.

However, you need to know what you are doing because if you do it wrong, you will have an even bigger fly problem on your hands.

The key to having a good compost heap is ensuring that your heap has enough moisture and air so that the bacteria in the poop can break it down quickly.

To start a compost pile for dog poop, you need to have a good supply of nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials.

Nitrogen is important for decomposition, while carbon helps to fuel the composting process.

Good sources of nitrogen include coffee grounds, dried grass clippings, and fruit waste.

As for carbon, you can use leaves, twigs, newspaper, or cardboard.

Also, bury the fresh dog poop deeper into the heap to prevent the smell from rising and that will help keep flies at bay.

Covering the compost heap may also help to keep the flies at bay.

However, do not start compositing in your yard before checking the regulations in your city, as some places have strict rules about what you can and cannot do.

Some jurisdictions forbid it while others give stringent instructions on how to do it as a way of preventing the spreading of diseases.

Related:

Is It Illegal To Put Dog Poop In The Garbage?

Is It Illegal To Leave Dog Poop In Your Yard?

Do You Legally Have To Pick Up Dog Poop?

4. Use a Professional Dog Poop Removal Service

If you are looking for a hassle-free and convenient solution, then you may want to consider using the services of a professional dog poop removal service.

These companies specialize in removing dog poop from your yard so that you don’t have to deal with it yourself.

Not only do they come and pick up the poop, but they also sanitize the spot to ensure there are no lingering bacteria that could attract flies.

Most dog poop removal services will also offer other services such as deodorizing your yard and cleaning up any waste left by other animals, including cats and raccoons.

Some of these companies may even have special bags specifically designed to trap fly eggs inside of them, which can help prevent the spread of fly infestation.

5. Cover the Dog Poop with Litter

In some cases, you may not want to pick up the dog poop right away.

For instance, if your dog has diarrhea, it might help to wait for it to harden before picking it.

Also, it may not be practical to pick up immediately after the dog poops.

Most pet parents do a once-a-day or once-a-week cleanup of their yard depending on the size of their dog(s).

When you have to wait a couple of hours (or days) before picking the poop, you can keep flies away by covering the poop with litter.

You can use kitty litter, sand, wood shavings, or even a thin layer of leaves to cover the dog poop, especially if you plan on coming back and picking it up at a later time.

The most important thing is that you keep the topsoil as clean as possible so that flies won’t be attracted to it.

Closing Thoughts

The key to controlling flies near dog poop is to be proactive in disposing of it immediately.

If you have the space and resources, consider burying or composting it at home.

However, if this is not possible, try using a plastic bag to contain any lingering odors and prevent flies from being attracted to the waste.

For additional protection, you can also cover the dog poop with litter or other materials to keep it covered and out of sight.

Finally, remember to be responsible when disposing of your dog’s feces and do so in a way that is environmentally friendly and safe for your family and pets.

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