Five everyday essentials that keep flies at bay
A house expert has shared effective ways to keep flies out of your home this summer using items most people already have in their kitchen cupboards.
Uri “Ori” Pearl, owner of Nealon Insulation, has shared hacks using common household items to help stop the seasonal invasion of flies that peaks during warmer months.
With warmer weather now here, many Brits will be opening their windows and doors for longer, which can also make it easier for flies and other insects to get inside.
This is also the time of year when other summer pests start to appear, including flying ants. With ‘flying ant day’ on the horizon, these tips come at the perfect time for Brits hoping to keep their home pest-free. While this is not a date in the diary, ‘flying ant day’ refers to the mating season for flying ants that typically happens during July or August, when swarms of these insects emerge in the UK.
The season is triggered in the hot, humid weather of the summer, and with this year’s heatwaves, there has been speculation that swarms could be around longer than usual.
Ori Pearl commented: “The first heatwave is usually when people start noticing flies again. Windows are open for longer, food is left out more often, and warm, humid rooms create the perfect conditions for insects to gather.
“Most people assume they need chemical sprays or plug-in repellents, but a lot of the best deterrents are simple things you already have at home. It is often about making your home less attractive to flies in the first place, while also blocking the routes they use to get in.”
1. Essential oils can make a natural repellent
Pearl suggested making a simple spray using common kitchen ingredients that repels flies without harmful chemicals or an unpleasant scent.
To create this deterrent, mix equal parts water and white vinegar with 10-15 drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, or lemongrass in a spray bottle.
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.
2. Apple cider vinegar and cling film
Apple cider vinegar can be used as an effective way to attract flies, and a clever use of cling film can then stop the flies from flying freely around your home.
To do this simple hack, fill a glass with apple cider vinegar, cover it with cling film, and poke small holes in the top. Flies get drawn to the sweet, fermented scent, enter through the holes, but can't find their way out.
The expert also added that this mixture works best when placed in areas where flies gather most frequently, such as near fruit bowls or bin areas.
3. Grow fly-repelling plants
Certain plants act as natural insect repellents. Basil, mint, lavender, and rosemary not only add fresh herbs to your cooking but also actively repel flies from your home.
These plants contain natural compounds that flies find offensive, but humans find pleasant.
Pearl recommended placing these plants on windowsills and near doorways where flies typically enter homes.
4. Citrus peels
Most people throw away lemon, lime, and orange peels, but they contain d-limonene, which naturally repels flies.
Before discarding any peels, rub them along windowsills or leave them in small bowls around the house to create a barrier that flies won't cross.
This method works particularly well for house flies and bluebottle flies, which are among the most common household fly types in the UK.
5. Direct fans towards open windows
A simple hack you can do without any prep, whether you're in bed or working at your desk, is to direct your fan outside your open window instead of into the room.
In the summer heat, many keep fans on in the house in addition to opening windows. But for those concerned about flies getting inside, they can make the perfect aid for banishing these pests.
As small insects, they do not have the strength to fly against the wind created by household fans, so directing fans out of an open window will divert flies away, keeping them from getting in.
Uri “Ori” Pearl, owner of Nealon Insulation, concluded: “Once flies are in, they are annoying to get rid of, so prevention is always better than chasing them around the house.
“Use the tricks together. A trap helps catch the ones already inside, while herbs, citrus and essential oils can help stop more from coming through windows and doors.
“And do not forget the obvious things. Cover food, wipe down surfaces and empty the bin. In hot weather, even small bits of food or liquid can quickly attract flies.”
