Dyson Cool CF1 review: Is this desk fan all style over substance?
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The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
The five household items that will keep pesky flies out of your home – clever hack with your fan is just the start
NOW that summer has officially arrived and the temperatures have gone up, many homeowners may have noticed more and more flies appearing in their houses. This is because this is the time of year that pesky bugs love the most, as the warmer, brighter days boost their energy levels. 5 5 The start of summer marks the start of their mating season and they can all emerge at once to begin reproducing. Not to mention, there is also increased food availability, meaning they are often on the search for a tasty snack. So it's no wonder that homeowners across the country will be trying all different tips and tricks to keep them at bay. But luckily, you don't have to spend a fortune on professional products to banish flies from your home. Property experts have revealed that five common household items can help keep your home pest-free. Paul Gibbens, property pro at said they work wonders for the home during warmer months. He said: "The summer heat creates perfect conditions for flies to multiply rapidly. 'What most homeowners don't know is that simple items already in their homes can help deter flies better than expensive products. "The key to keeping flies out is consistency. Use these methods together for best results, particularly during July and August when fly populations reach their peak in British homes." Stressing the importance of basic hygiene, he added: "Keep food covered, clean up spills immediately, and empty bins regularly. These simple habits make your home much less attractive to flies in the first place." 'These miracle bags should be in every home,' says mum who created a cheap hack to prevent flies from entering your home 1. Apple cider vinegar and cling film This combination works wonders in catching flies in the home and stopping them from travelling from room to room. All you need to do is fill a glass with apple cider vinegar, then cover it with cling film and poke holes in the top. The flies will smell the sweet, fermented scent and try to get to it by entering through the small holes. However, they will get confused trying to find their way out and will end up stuck inside the cling film. The experts also added that this mixture works best when placed in areas where flies gather most frequently, such as near fruit bowls or bin areas. 2. Citrus peels Most people throw away their lemon, lime, and orange peels - but did you know they can help get rid of flies? The fruit peels contain d-limonene, which naturally repels the pesky critters. So before you go tossing them in the bin, rub the pells along areas like windowsills, as this will create a barrier that flies won't cross. Or, even better, leave them in small bowls around the house. This method works particularly well for house flies and bluebottle flies, which are among the most common household fly types in the UK. 5 3. Direct fans towards open windows Fans can become a Godsend in the summer weather, quickly cooling down a room as the temperature rises. But they also work wonders in helping get rid of flies from the home - and it's a clever trick that requires no prep. Whether you're lying in bed or working at your desk, all you need to do is direct your fan outside your open window instead of into the room. Small insects do not have the strength to fly against the wind created by household fans. So, directing fans out of an open window will blow the flies away, keeping them from getting in. People are just realising the right way to use your fan to get hot air out of the house A FAN has become a staple for millions of households across the UK - but while many of us may blow the cool air directly at us, turns out there's another way to use the fan - and it may be more beneficial. According to savvy TikTokers, there's a 'right' way to use the apparatus in the sweltering weather - and many have dubbed it ''a game-changer''. Rather than blasting the cold air at your body, some social media users advise to place the fan by an open window, facing away from the room. This, one savvy man, Simon Johnson, recently explained will ''suck the hot air out of the room''. To effectively use a fan to remove hot air from a room, position it to exhaust hot air out of a window, while simultaneously opening a second window on the opposite side of the room to draw in cooler air. For the ultimate cooling effect, you could also snap up an extra fan - and have its cool air blow directly at you. ''I'm definitely not melting tonight,'' said Simon, from South Wales. And it's not just the Welsh lad who's been raving about this easy hack - another TikToker, Alex The Cleaner, shared how she was keeping cool thanks to simply repositioning her fan. She said in the video: ''Whoever posted this hack - thank you. 'I feel like I can breathe the air again. ''This feels so wrong but it works so well the fan sucks the hot air out of the room and honestly it works.'' 4. Essential oils can make a natural repellent Another trick that Paul suggests homeowners should try is to create a simple spray using common kitchen ingredients that repels flies - but without harmful chemicals and an unpleasant scent. To do this, mix equal parts water and white vinegar with 10-15 drops of essential oils in a spray bottle. Anything like eucalyptus, lavender, or lemongrass should work perfectly. This solution can be sprayed around windows, doors, and other entry points without damaging surfaces or posing risks to children and pets, unlike some chemical alternatives. These scents not only deter flies but will keep your home smelling fresh, too. 5 5. Grow fly-repelling plants If you don't fancy making your own spray, then an even easier thing to try is to buy plants that naturally repel flies. Certain plants, including basil, mint, lavender, and rosemary, act as natural repellents for all kinds of insects. These contain natural compounds that flies find offensive, but humans find pleasant. Paul recommended placing these plants on windowsills and near doorways where flies typically enter homes. Plus, they can also work for being fresh herbs in your cooking!
Evening Standard
12 hours ago
- Evening Standard
Dyson Cool CF1 review: Is this desk fan all style over substance?
I feel it is important to note, as is the case with all the other Dyson fans that I have tried in the past, you don't get the high-powered wind of other fans. The closer you are to the fan, the better; however, it doesn't feel that cool more than around a metre away - even on the top setting. I do find it quieter - especially when on night mode, as this automatically turns it down and dims the display. For the hottest temperatures - say the odd 30-degree day, you will likely need to call in reinforcements. But for traditional British summertime, when you are looking for a light, comfortable breeze, it works wonders.
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Families urged to take action if they see crows in garden this summer
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has confirmed that the number of carrion crows in the UK has dropped year on year, by as much as 4.8% across the UK British families are being encouraged to keep an eye out for crows this summer, as the RSPB reveals a worrying 4.8 per cent decline in the UK's carrion crow population. The society highlighted that these birds, known for their intelligence, have been dwindling in numbers alongside other species such as starlings and sparrows. In its latest findings, the RSPB has noted that the all-black carrion crow, which can be found nationwide, is one of the most adaptable and clever garden birds. The RSPB explains: "The all-black Carrion Crow is one of the cleverest, most adaptable of our birds. It's often quite fearless, although it can be wary of humans. READ MORE: Kickers' 'durable' Back to School shoe range that 'last all year' "They're fairly solitary, usually found alone or in pairs, although they may sometimes form flocks. The closely related Hooded Crow has recently been split as a separate species." It adds: "Carrion Crows will come to gardens for food and although often cautious initially, they soon learn when it's safe, and will return repeatedly to snack on whatever's on offer." Moreover, the RSPB describes how these opportunistic feeders have a varied diet, from urban scraps to natural offerings, and are known to frequent garden feeders for a quick bite, reports the Express. Bird populations in the UK are struggling for a multitude of reasons, prompting an urgent call from a charity for people to spring into action. During the last weekend of January, an impressive turnout of nearly 600,000 individuals participated in their annual bird-counting endeavour, dedicating an hour to monitor our feathered friends within their gardens or local parks, aiding conservationists in assessing the state of British aviary life. The charity expressed concern, stating: "The problems faced by birds are many and varied, which means we need to take action in all sorts of areas. From gardening for wildlife to the way we farm and manage our rivers, it all impacts on nature." They then added: "That's why we work tirelessly to save, protect and fight for nature. And when we come together for nature, it works. Birds that were almost lost from the UK have been brought back." In a bid to bolster at-risk species like the starlings, the charity is encouraging householders to adopt simple practices such as eschewing pesticides and maintaining natural lawns that support the foraging needs of birds, providing them access to insects like crane fly larvae, also known as leatherjackets.
