Keep flies out of your home with 60p item they ‘hate’ as the weather warms up
With the arrival of the warmer weather, now is the ideal moment to fling open all the windows, bask in the breeze, and soak up the sunshine. However, the summery climate doesn’t just mean balmier days and prolonged daylight – it also heralds the arrival of some rather unwelcome visitors: flies.
Flies are not only a nuisance but they’re also a health hazard. Houseflies are known to carry over 100 different pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. Capable of transmitting approximately 65 diseases, these pests can even lead to food poisoning, posing a significant risk to your wellbeing.
As the mercury climbs, these pesky insects awaken from their slumber, seeking fertile spots to lay their eggs – and often, our dwellings make for an ideal breeding ground.
Although chemical sprays and treatments are effective in fighting off flies, they come at a price and can leave an unpleasant odour that lingers in your home.
Thankfully, there’s a gentler, budget-friendly solution on offer.
Glen Peskett, DIY expert at Saxton Blades, said: “When it comes to keeping flies out of the home, many people turn to chemical solutions, but a simple, natural remedy can work wonders.”
He points out a strange but powerful method saying: “Cucumber slices are a surprisingly effective way to repel flies. Flies hate the scent of cucumbers, particularly more bitter ones, so it’s a natural deterrent for flies.”
By scattering slices of cucumber around your house, you’re setting up a natural deterrent that flies simply can’t bear. For optimal results, position the slices near windowsills, doorways, or any other fly hotspots like bins.
Remember to refresh the slices every few days to keep up their potency.
Another strategy to fend off flies is to keep doors and windows closed and minimise the amount of light you use at night.
Flies are drawn to light, so switch off outdoor lights and draw your blinds/curtains when it gets dark to avoid rolling out the welcome mat for them.
Regularly taking out your bins is also key – flies are lured by the food they can scavenge from bins, and it’s often where fly larvae hatch, so frequent disposal is crucial.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.