The five household items that will keep pesky flies out of your home – clever hack with your fan is just the start

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

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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.
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Homeowners will notice an increased number of flies in the home over summer
Credit: Getty - Contributor
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But there are easy ways to get rid of them - including a clever trick with a fan
Credit: Getty
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 housebuyers4u.co.uk, said they work wonders for the home during warmer months.
The key to keeping flies out is consistency. Use these methods together for best results, particularly during July and August
Paul Gibbens
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.
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Leaving citrus peels around the home can naturally repel the critters
Credit: Getty
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.
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Experts suggest mixing eucalyptus essential oils with water and white vinegar in a spray bottle
Credit: Getty
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!