Pest expert reveals the simple £1 trick to keep houseflies away this summer and stop them coming back
WE all love when the sun begins the shine, but the warmer weather also means houseflies are more likely to find their way into your home.
There are loads of hacks out there to keep pesky flies at bay, but some of them can be quite pricey to keep on top of.
Luckily, one expert has shared the cheap and cheerful trick that loads of people swear by, and it will leave your home smelling great too.
Tracy, a pest control expert from Merlin Environmental, noted that that citronella scents can help repel flies from homes and gardens.
This “powerful odour” is perfect for homes during the summer months, especially when doors and windows are open for long periods of time.
“Citronella candles and citronella oil not only help to repel flies, but are also useful deterrents against mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, and some other insects,” she told Express.co.uk.
The strong citronella scent is said to conceal other odours that could draw in flies and other insects, but since they don’t like the citronella scent they will avoid it.
There are many products with the citronella scent you can use, from oils to candles.
In fact, you can bag a citronella for as little as £1 in bargain shops like B&M and Home Bargains, as well as Amazon and other online retailors.
These candles can be used inside, however most are designed to be kept in the garden.
The expert instead suggested using a diffuser in homes to keep the pesky flies away.
“[A] diffuser containing citronella can be ideal for indoors, as you do not have to worry about smut building up or the risk of fire,” she explained.
“You can also make your own spray from citronella by mixing a few drops of citronella oil into water.
“If you don’t have citronella oil, you can substitute for peppermint, basil, lavender, cinnamon, clove or eucalyptus oil instead.”
What are house flies?
House flies got their name by being the most common household fly.
With their hairy black bodies and translucent wings, these insects can be found worldwide.
They generally live between 15 and 25 days and can survive without food or water for two to three days.
What causes a lot of flies in the house?
House flies are highly attracted to manure, and can often be found around farms.
They generally stay within a mile or two of their birthplace, but they have been known to travel up to 20 miles.
House flies enjoy being in the sun, and will perch in sunny spots around your home.
Bright lights at night can also attract flies.
Keep pests out all summer
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mossies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.