Summer in the UK is a welcome relief after months of grey skies and chilly weather.
But along with barbecues, garden parties, and open windows comes an all-too-familiar nuisance -flies.
Whether they’re buzzing around your bin, landing on your food, or sneaking into your home through the tiniest gap, flies can quickly ruin the relaxing atmosphere of a sunny day.
Fortunately, there are several simple and effective ways to keep them at bay. Here’s how to stop flies from taking over your summer.
1. Keep Food Covered
Flies are drawn to food – particularly anything sugary, greasy or starting to spoil.
When eating outdoors, always keep food and drink covered with mesh food nets or cling film. Inside, avoid leaving fruit bowls, snacks or dirty dishes out for too long.
Leftovers should be stored in sealed containers and put away promptly.
2. Manage Your Bins
Bins are a magnet for flies, especially in hot weather.
Make sure your indoor and outdoor bins have tightly fitting lids and are emptied regularly.
Clean your bins with disinfectant to remove any residue or spills that could attract flies. You can also sprinkle bicarbonate of soda in the bottom of your bin to help neutralise odours.
3. Close Entry Points
Flies can easily enter your home through open doors, windows and even vents.
Where possible, fit fly screens to windows and doors you like to keep open.
You can also hang magnetic fly curtains over doors to stop flies coming in while still letting fresh air flow through.
Keep external doors closed when not in use, especially near the kitchen.
4. Use Natural Repellents
Certain scents are known to repel flies. Herbs such as basil, mint, lavender and bay leaves not only smell pleasant but can help keep flies away.
Place pots of these herbs on windowsills, doorways or patios.
You can also make a DIY repellent spray using water, white vinegar and a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus or citronella.
5. Eliminate Breeding Grounds
Flies breed in decaying matter such as rotting food, compost and animal waste.
Regularly clean up pet waste from the garden, keep compost heaps covered, and don’t let grass clippings or damp leaves pile up.
Keeping your home and garden clean and dry makes it far less inviting to flies.
6. Consider Traps and Deterrents
If flies persist, there are a number of traps and deterrents available.
Sticky fly strips can be hung in problem areas, though they’re more suited to discreet locations. UV light traps attract and kill flies quietly and efficiently.
For a low-cost option, try a homemade trap using a jar filled with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing-up liquid.
7. Act Quickly
The sooner you deal with a fly problem, the easier it is to control. Letting a few flies linger can lead to a much bigger infestation, especially in warm weather.
By following these simple steps, you can keep flies firmly in their place and enjoy a cleaner, calmer, and more comfortable summer, both indoors and out.
