We systematically investigate the role of defects, introduced by varying synthesis conditions and by carrying out ion irradiation treatments, on the structural and ferroelectric properties of commensurately strained bismuth ferrite BixFe2-xO3 layers grown on SrRuO3-coated DyScO3(110)o substrates using adsorption-controlled ozone molecular-beam epitaxy. Our findings highlight ion irradiation as an effective approach for reducing through-layer electrical leakage, a necessary condition for the development of reliable ferroelectrics-based electronics. © 2019 Author(s).