As the weather heats up, cracking open doors and windows is an ideal way to keep our homes cool. However, this summertime practice does more than just reduce the heat – it also welcomes flies and other insects into your living space.
As the temperature rises, opening doors and windows is a perfect way to keep our homes cool. However, this summer habit does more than just lower the temperature – it also invites flies and other insects into your living space.
If you’re eager to keep flies at bay, the experts at Express Bi-Folding Doors have shared some top tips for getting rid of these pesky pests. They’re affordable, simple, and some can even improve the scent of your home.
The first tip is to use the peels from your oranges or citrus fruits. Instead of binning them, arrange the leftover peels in small containers around your doorways and window sills.
Flies are put off by the smell of citrus fruits, so this will dissuade them from coming into your home. It’s also a cost-effective method to fend off insects, as oranges can be purchased for as little as 30p each in supermarkets.
If you’re eating oranges anyway, then this tip is essentially free.
If you don’t like oranges, flies are also repelled by the scent of cloves. Cut a lemon in half and insert a few cloves into the fruit’s flesh, then place them near windows or doors, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The combined scents will discourage flies from entering, whilst also making your home smell pleasant.
Cloves can be bought from the herb and spice sections of most major supermarkets.
For those who’d rather not have fruit peels scattered about their homes, essential oils serve as an effective alternative – flies detest the strong aroma of oils such as peppermint, lemongrass and eucalyptus.
To use this trick, simply cut some strips of kitchen roll or fabric, dab a bit of your chosen essential oil onto them, and hang these strips around your windows and doors to keep flies at bay.
Other life hacks, like growing lavender or catnip in or near your home, can also ward off flies. If you don’t have the space to grow flowers, then consider planting aromatic herbs like basil, which are known to be successful in repelling flies.