A 55p item sold in supermarkets like Aldi, ASDA and Tesco can make sure no flies enter your home during the summer, experts say. With temperatures rising, more of us have our windows open.
As such, there has been an increase in the number of flies you'll find inside your home. It goes without saying that this can be incredibly annoying, and you might feel inclined to want to squash them with a rolled up magazine.
Now experts have issued a guide on how to keep flies out just by using natural plants. No chemicals, no coins, and nothing harmful to anyone. Flies hate this one natural plant trick.
READ MORE: Shoppers urged not to use trolleys in Aldi, ASDA, Tesco, Lidl, Morrisons and Sainsbury's
It turns out, flies don't like basil or mint, and they will be repelled by the pungent herbs, so you could try grabbing a few little plants and putting them on windowsills and near doors. You can buy a basil or mint plant for as little as 65p from Asda, 55p in Aldi and £1.30 in Tesco.
The cleaning experts at Tap Warehouse have revealed how to prevent flies from lingering around your kitchen this summer. Polly Shearer, cleaning expert explains “The UK is predicted to experience a heatwave this week, with some places expected to see temperatures reaching 34°C.
"The heat causes an increase in flies and means that house flies are more likely to multiply in hot weather! This could see tens of thousands of flies buzzing around BBQs and kitchens in the UK this week. We recommend using preventative measures to stop flies and insects breeding in your kitchen this summer."
1. Make your own natural fly deterrent spray
The smell of essential oils like mint, lemongrass and lavender are hated by flies. You can create your own natural fly deterrent spray by adding a few drops of any of these oils to water in a spray bottle. We recommend lavender so the spray will also leave your kitchen smelling fresh.
Simply spray the natural remedy around your kitchen throughout the day and it should deter flies from entering, says Yorkshire Live.
2. Store fizzy drinks in your fridge and wipe any spills immediately
Fruit flies are attracted to the carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks, so if these drinks are left out, your kitchen fruit flies may begin to gather around the area, especially if there are any spillages.
Be sure to wipe any spillages and clean the bottles to prevent fruit flies from being attracted to them. You can also store your fizzy drinks in the fridge to keep fruit flies away from them.
3. Keep your kitchen bin dry with baking soda
Whatever you put in your bin will rot, however, this process speeds up during the summer months due to warmer weather. This will attract flies, insects and maggots, so it’s important to clean and empty your bin more frequently during summer.
One great hack is to sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your bin before putting in a new bin bag. The baking soda should absorb any smells and liquids that leak out of the bag.
4. Don’t leave dirty dishes by the sink
In the busy summer months, especially the school holidays, it can be hard to find the time to wash dirty dishes. However, leaving dishes by the sink to be washed will attract flies.
We recommend washing your dishes in the summer as soon as possible in order to prevent flies from contaminating your dishes with bacteria and even laying eggs on them.
5. Keep leftovers fully sealed in storage bags and tubs
Flies like to lay eggs in places with warmer temperatures, which is why you should not leave leftovers uncovered when leaving them to cool down.
Instead, place the leftovers in a bag or tub that can be fully sealed to prevent flies from touching the food.
6. Use apple cider vinegar costing as little as 80p to deter fruit flies
Fruit flies in the summer can cause havoc in your kitchen, often resulting in food waste due to people not wanting to eat the fruit touched by flies. If your kitchen has fruit flies, you should half fill a glass with apple cider vinegar and cover it with cling film and poke small holes into the cling film.
This should attract the fruit flies to enter the glass and you can then let them free outside of your home. It’s also important to store your fruit in the fridge to prevent flies from returning.
7. Keep a basil plant in your kitchen to ward off flies
The herb basil is known to repel flies and mosquitoes, making it a great kitchen plant option. Not only will it stop flies, it's also great to use in plenty of recipes.
READ NEXT:
Photographs emerge of ITV Love Island's Tasha Ghouri with huge baby bump taken months before show
Shoppers urged not to use trolleys in Aldi, ASDA, Tesco, Lidl, Morrisons and Sainsbury's
Channel 4 Gogglebox's Tom Malone praised by fans after heartfelt lung cancer message
Channel 4 airs Deborah James' last TV appearance after she's told she has days left to live
Iceland shoppers furious after feeling 'conned' by 1p food offer
