As Brits begin to enjoy the warm weather, it often comes with an influx of flies. However, an expert has shared a little-known trick to keep them away
A nifty trick involving 1p coins is touted as the ultimate solution to banish flies from your home and garden ‘for good’ this summer. As Brits gear up for the sunny season, they’re often greeted by an unwelcome swarm of flies. These pesky insects are not only annoying to eliminate but also pose a hygiene risk when they hover around food.
The gardening gurus at GardeningExpress.co.uk have revealed that simply placing a few coppers in a glass of water can effectively repel these winged nuisances. This clever method exploits the reflective properties of light to disorientate flies, keeping them away from dining areas and guests.
Just fill several glasses with water and pop about three 1p coins into each one. Strategically place these glasses around your barbecue and food serving zones, and you’ll observe a noticeable absence of flies, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Alternatively, half-fill a plastic bag with water, toss in five to seven pennies, and hang these bags around various spots in your garden. Other tactics include deploying potent aromas like citronella, lemon, garlic, and rosemary to ward off flies outdoors.
Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, said: “There’s nothing worse than when you’re having a nice barbecue with friends and family and there’s bugs flying about.” He added that while insects can be incredibly bothersome, there are several low-cost strategies to keep them at bay.
Chris added: “These tricks are really simple and a lot of them involve using things most of us probably already have in our homes.” For those looking to fortify their gardens against insect invasions, consider planting natural insect repellents.
Insect repellent plants
Plants such as Lavender and Chrysanthemum not only add a splash of colour to your garden but also help keep pesky bugs at bay. Simply position a few of these near the barbecue to deter flies and insects.
Citronella candles
Citronella candles are an affordable solution for repelling mosquitoes and other bugs. Just light a couple, and you’re all set.
Lemon and garlic
Certain foods can also help keep bugs and flies away from the barbecue. Cut a few lemons in half, insert a clove of garlic into each one, and distribute them around the barbecue area to keep insects at a distance.
Brown paper bags
Wasps tend to avoid other wasp nests, so this trick is ideal for keeping them at bay. Just take a brown paper bag, stuff it with some rubbish to make it look like a wasp nest, and hang it near the serving area to keep wasps away.
Herbs
Certain herbs are known to repel insects due to their strong scent. Toss some sage and rosemary on the grill while you’re barbecuing, and the bugs will steer clear.
Egg cartons
To keep mosquitoes away, simply light an empty egg carton and place it in a safe spot away from your guests. The burning smell will prevent mosquitoes from invading the barbecue area.
LED lights
As dusk falls, you might notice that garden lights are attracting bugs. Consider swapping out your lights for LEDs, as these are less likely to attract bugs.