Little-known 1p hack keeps pesky flies from your home for good
A nifty trick involving 1p coins is touted as the ultimate solution to banish flies from your home and garden 'for good' this summer. As Brits gear up for the sunny season, they're often greeted by an unwelcome swarm of flies. These pesky insects are not only annoying to eliminate but also pose a hygiene risk when they hover around food.
The gardening gurus at GardeningExpress.co.uk have revealed that simply placing a few coppers in a glass of water can effectively repel these winged nuisances. This clever method exploits the reflective properties of light to disorientate flies, keeping them away from dining areas and guests.
Just fill several glasses with water and pop about three 1p coins into each one. Strategically place these glasses around your barbecue and food serving zones, and you'll observe a noticeable absence of flies, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Alternatively, half-fill a plastic bag with water, toss in five to seven pennies, and hang these bags around various spots in your garden. Other tactics include deploying potent aromas like citronella, lemon, garlic, and rosemary to ward off flies outdoors.
Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, said: "There's nothing worse than when you're having a nice barbecue with friends and family and there's bugs flying about." He added that while insects can be incredibly bothersome, there are several low-cost strategies to keep them at bay.
Chris added: "These tricks are really simple and a lot of them involve using things most of us probably already have in our homes." For those looking to fortify their gardens against insect invasions, consider planting natural insect repellents.
Insect repellent plants
Plants such as Lavender and Chrysanthemum not only add a splash of colour to your garden but also help keep pesky bugs at bay. Simply position a few of these near the barbecue to deter flies and insects.
Citronella candles
Citronella candles are an affordable solution for repelling mosquitoes and other bugs. Just light a couple, and you're all set.
Lemon and garlic
Certain foods can also help keep bugs and flies away from the barbecue. Cut a few lemons in half, insert a clove of garlic into each one, and distribute them around the barbecue area to keep insects at a distance.
Brown paper bags
Wasps tend to avoid other wasp nests, so this trick is ideal for keeping them at bay. Just take a brown paper bag, stuff it with some rubbish to make it look like a wasp nest, and hang it near the serving area to keep wasps away.
Herbs
Certain herbs are known to repel insects due to their strong scent. Toss some sage and rosemary on the grill while you're barbecuing, and the bugs will steer clear.
Egg cartons
To keep mosquitoes away, simply light an empty egg carton and place it in a safe spot away from your guests. The burning smell will prevent mosquitoes from invading the barbecue area.
LED lights
As dusk falls, you might notice that garden lights are attracting bugs. Consider swapping out your lights for LEDs, as these are less likely to attract bugs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Millionaire family who blow £40k per holiday muck out sheep on Lancashire camping trip, in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday
A MILLIONAIRE couple, who have £2500 a week in disposable income were left horrified when they had to muck out alpacas as a "fun" activity on Channel 5's Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday. After giving the Leaf family a glimpse into their lives by taking them to a hotel in Malta that cost more per night than their monthly rent, the Dissont family were whisked off to rural Lancashire for a budget break. 3 The Dissont family were less than impressed by the glamping break Credit: Channel 5 3 They couldn't believe how little the Leaf's spent on their holiday Credit: Channel 5 3 Andre was not impressed when he had to muck out the sheep Credit: Channel 5 Health and Aesthetics clinic owners Sam and Andre, who earn up to £80,000 a month, blow up to £40,000 on a single break, so they were less than impressed by the Leaf's glamping holiday, with Andre describing the glamping pods as akin to a "sewage silo." "It's smaller than some of the bathrooms in the hotel's we've stayed in", said Sam, who is used to five star luxury. "I've never been on a holiday where I could touch all four walls at the same time", Andre admitted. The couple and their 14-year-old daughter were immediately unsure whether they would be able to hack the trip. "There's no holiday feel to it, it's just endurance", said Andre, after having to lug his suitcase across a muddy field. The posh family, from Cheshire, who blew £155 on a guided tour in Malta, were shocked to find that the same cost was their entire spending budget for the four-day Lancashire trip. "That is so tight", Andre fumed. "We spend that much money just on getting to the airport." The holiday doesn't get off to a great start, with Sam moaning about the cold temperatures and the fact they're "stuck in a field", with nowhere to go. The couple were horrified by the communal bathroom, and couldn't believe that they had to cook food for themselves. Inside 'real-life Love Island' where super-rich 'drop £3k a day' and kinky clubs sweep up boozy Brits booted out from Ibiza "When it comes to a holiday, I want to be catered for", Andre said. Sam completely refused to use the shared shower and decided to fast rather than eat a breakfast of eggs on toast. Activities on the trip included volunteering with alpacas and paddle boarding, which Andre described as "holiday hell." And although the family did enjoy cuddling the animals, they were less than impressed when it came to mucking them out. Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids IF you've got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here's some advice to take on board. Plan Ahead: Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities. Research kid-friendly attractions and activities. Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children's schedules. Pack Smart: Create a packing checklist to ensure you don't forget essentials. Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained. Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on. Travel Comfort: Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey. Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones. Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep. Stay Organized: Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted. Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder. Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation. Engage and Entertain: Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals. Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums. Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged. Maintain Routine: Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible. Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals. Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children's needs and moods. Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments. Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip. These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories! "I work hard anyway, I don't need to do that when I'm on holiday", Andre fumed. The Dissont's couldn't wait to get home to their huge mansion, after admitting that their perspective on budget holidays hadn't changed. However, daughter Kasia said she enjoyed the £900 Lancashire break just as much as the £16,000 Malta getaway. The rich family showed their generous side though, by offering to pay for the Bolton-based Leafs to go on holiday to Greece. "You totally deserve it", they told the "selfless" family. In floods of tears, the grateful family said the gift was "incredible".
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Disability drives innovation' - 7 things we use daily that were made for disabled people
Content creator, '@chronicallyjenni' is creating a wave of positive praise and awareness for the community after sharing a video highlighting the everyday tools first invented for disabled people In light of the disability cuts made by Labour's Welfare Bill on July 1, disability organisations, allies and content creators have come together online to educate the Brits on the ways disabled people have contributed to everyday life. Achieving over 428,000 likes on Instagram, Influencer Chronically Jenni 's reel shows viewers the everyday parts of life derived from the needs of the disabled community. Her activism is one of a chorus of voices paving the way for disability awareness and rights in the UK. "Disability drives innovation. Accessibility helps everyone. So next time you use one of these, remember where it came from. Be sure to share this so more people realise the impact disability has on their lives," Jenni said in her viral video. Ramps Perhaps the most obvious, ramps were first built for wheelchair access, tackling the obstacle of stairs. Now, they're the easiest route for parents with prams, cyclists on bikes and travellers with suitcases. The caption of her post says: "You know the little ramp at the end of a pavement? That's called a curb cut; made for wheelchair users. But now used by parents with buggies, cyclists, people with suitcases and more". Coining it "the curb cut effect," Jenni went on to show how "access for disabled people ends up helping everyone". Velcro The Velcro on trainers and school bags that makes every life easier was initially used by those in disability care. Jenni shares that this was "long before" the product became the replacement for shoelaces, and kids' best friend. The electric toothbrush An estimated 34 million Brits use an electric toothbrush for dental hygiene, according to Dental Health - and they may be surprised to find out that their 'swear-by' toothbrushes were or "originally designed for people with limited grip or coordination". Text-to-speech and voice aids Used in corporate, universities and a majority of Smart technologies, dictation tools used to help type and read-aloud texts were first made for the blind and visually impaired. "What first began as a literary and verbal aid is now how most smartphone users place calls, make notes and even set timers as they cook," suggests Jenni. Audiobooks Another aid for blind and visually impaired readers, the ever-popular audiobook is increasingly used by fans of #BookTok and commuters alike. The tool has also been made available on Spotify, Audible and Apple, and is now a Gen-Z favourite for entertainment on-the-go. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Touchless and automatic doors Saving the general public significant time pushing heavy doors open for queues, the now staple of modern supermarkets, stores, airports and hospitals is the automatic door. Whilst this may not be as shocking as the electric toothbrush, it is important to realise how inclusive architecture helps all - especially those in fast-paced environments. Subtitles and captions Created for those experiencing deafness, the infamous 'subs' are a "on or off" debate between film and TV fans worldwide. This handy tool is a blessing on long flights, busy train rides and for those of us who often forget their headphones.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'It's too hot to sleep so I made my own DIY air con for £1 - it cools me down in seconds'
With heatwaves plaguing the UK more often, people are desperately looking for ways to stay cool - without adding to their energy bills - and this life hack is worth a try If you are finding you can't sleep in sweltering temperatures, this life hack is well worth a try. The UK is experiencing heatwaves with increasing regularity, but most of our homes are not designed for hot weather - and few people have air conditioning units in their homes. Given that most of the year Brits are enduring cold, rainy, and grey days, it makes a lot of sense that people often don't want to spend too much money on keeping their houses cool. This does mean, however, that when we experience scorching temperatures, it can be pretty unbearable, particularly when trying to nod off and get some much-needed rest. Experts share vital ways to revive your tired and dried-out grass during hot weather Weather maps reveal date summer will return with blazing sunshine and 27C highs There are some do-it-yourself options that you can consider when trying to keep your bedroom cool - that will assure you a better night's sleep, and won't break the bank. This life hack was posted by Iceland supermarket on its official TikTok account, and all you will need for it is a fan and a cheap and cheerful bag of ice cubes to create your own version of an air con, keeping you cool as you head off to sleep. First up, you need to grab a bowl - ideally not a small one. Then fill it with ice and place it directly in front of where your fan is positioned. Fans don't actually cool down the temperature of your rooms, but they can make you feel cooler, and this nifty trick will mean that the air blown through the fan is being lowered in temperature by the ice in front of it, making your bedroom a much more pleasant place to sleep. A 2kg bag of ice will only set you back £1 from Iceland, £1.30 from Tesco and Sainsburys, or 85p from Lidl. Whilst you will need to top up your bowl of ice as it melts, this cost combined with the amount it will set you back to run a fan throughout the night - or at least the couple of hours as you're settling down to sleep, is a fraction of what an air conditioning unit would be. There are some other simple adaptations you can make to try and get a proper amount of rest when the temperatures rise. Firstly, if your bedroom windows get a lot of sunshine, make sure that in the hours light would be pouring in, you keep them firmly closed, as well as the blind or curtain - this will help keep the room cooler overall, and you can always crack the windows open once the temperatures have dropped in the evening. Opt for a lukewarm shower an hour before you go to bed, this will help you feel refreshed, but also relaxed - cold and hot showers should be avoided during high temperatures. Finally, consider what material your bedding is made from, and perhaps ditch the duvet altogether. Linen sheets are best in a heatwave, because the fabric is breathable and can absorb a decent amount of moisture before feeling wet or damp - which is perfect for a sweaty night. If you don't have linen bedding, then go for cotton, but try and avoid polyester when the mercury starts to rise.
