It's claimed all you need to get rid of flies is a cucumber– myth or fact? We've put it to the test to find out

Composite of sliced cucumber and a house fly on a leaf.

Once the weather starts to pick up, one of the many little pleasures in life is being able to welcome the fresh air in by opening your windows. However, that small joy is usually swiftly crushed by the sudden swarm of flies that also flows into your home.

If you're anything like me, you'll be working overtime to get rid of flies in your home the second the warm weather hits. More often than not, my conservatory becomes a haven for large house flies and gnats then days later, my windowsills resemble something of an insect graveyard.