6.16.2023

Houseplants from Aldi, Asda and others can keep flies away | Herald Scotland

With temperatures rising across the UK and the prospect of better weather in the summer months, there is a strong urge to open the window for some fresh air.

While a cool breeze is welcome for many, annoying flies in your home are not.

How do you keep flies away from the house?

HeraldScotland: Put basil and mint on your windowsill to keep flies away. ( Getty Images) Put basil and mint on your windowsill to keep flies away. (Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

There's a little-known trick that can help you solve the problem and save you the trouble of trying to get flies out of your house all summer long.

Tap Warehouse cleaning experts recommend using fragrant houseplants to ward off pesky flies.

Flies hate the strong smell of basil and mint. So place a pot with one of these plants on your windowsill to ward off unwanted visitors.

You can buy a jar of basil for 75p from Aldi , while you can buy a jar of mint for 90p from Asda.

Polly Shearer, cleaning expert, said: "The heat causes an increase in flies and means houseflies are more likely to breed in hot weather!"

"This summer there could be tens of thousands of flies buzzing around BBQ areas and kitchens.

"We recommend that you take preventive measures to prevent flies and insects from breeding in your kitchen this summer."

More tips to keep flies away from your home

There are several other easy and inexpensive home remedies you can try to keep pesky flies away in the summer.

Use citrus oils, candles and incense.

Other natural solutions to keeping flies away include placing citronella candles and incense near open doors and windows.

Putting dried cloves, mint, lavender, or cinnamon in jars or bowls near open windows should also work, as flies don't like strong smells.

You can also try diffusing essential oils around your home, especially strong scents like lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, and peppermint.

HeraldScotland: Dried mint, lavender and cloves should also work in warding away flies. ( Getty Images) Dried mint, lavender and cloves are also said to repel flies. (Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

Create a flytrap with apple cider vinegar

If you don't have any essential oils or herbs on hand, another easy solution is to use apple cider vinegar to make a flytrap.

Mix the vinegar with dish soap and place in a container near the windows and doors of your home.

The aroma attracts flies into the preparation, but the dishwasher lowers the liquid's surface tension, submerging and trapping them in the solution.

Alternatively, you can fill a container with apple cider vinegar, seal it with plastic wrap, and poke a few holes in the top of the plastic wrap.

The vinegar attracts flies into the mixture, but once they venture inside, they can't escape the plastic seal.

Put coins in the water near the window.

A popular trick shared by the Facebook group Mrs. Hinch's Cleaning Tips recommends hanging a zippered plastic bag filled with water and coins in an open window or over a door.

The flies are thought to be deterred from entering by the light reflected off the coins, which confuses and overwhelms them, causing them to quickly fly away.

HeraldScotland: Make sure any dirty dishes are washed and put away instead of being left by the sink, as this could attract flies. ( Getty Images) Be sure to wash and store dirty dishes rather than leaving them by the sink as this could attract flies. (Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

Store fizzy drinks in the refrigerator and wipe up spilled drinks.

Fruit flies are attracted to the carbon dioxide in soft drinks. Therefore, if these drinks are omitted, fruit flies may congregate in the area.

Be sure to wipe up spills immediately, rinse any empty bottles to prevent them from attracting flies, and refrigerate any opened soda.

wash dirty dishes

Be sure to wash and store dirty dishes rather than leaving them by the sink as this could attract flies.

Washing dishes as quickly as possible prevents flies from contaminating dishes with bacteria and even laying eggs on them.

Use baking soda to keep your kitchen trash can dry

During the summer, food in your container will rot much faster due to the hot weather, which can attract flies, bugs, and worms.

Put baking soda in your trash can to absorb odors and spills. But also make sure you empty it often.

Store leftovers in airtight containers

Flies are attracted to exposed bits of food. So be sure to place the food in a sealed container or bag to keep it out.

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