SOAKING up the sunshine is one of the best parts of summer, but with the hot weather comes a whole host of pests to deal with.
One of the more common pests households deal with are flies, which can take over gardens and homes.
flies are easier to banish than you might think[/caption]
Flies have certain scents so they’re perfect to deter them from your home[/caption]
Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune on gadgets to try and get rid of them, this simple trick will work wonders.
It was shared by This Morning pro, Nancy Birtwhistle, and at just 20p you can’t go wrong.
Her hack is perfect for keeping bugs at bay, and better yet, it’s an eco-friendly option that won’t harm the environment.
First, Nancy warned to keep food away from areas flies might gather, including waste in bins, which can be covered with a lid.
“They [flies] hate the smell of citrus and they hate the smell of cloves,” she said, explaining how easy it is to keep them at bay.
With this in mind, she suggested creating a DIY method to deter the pesky insects.
All you need to do is cut a few lemons in half and then stick the cloves into the juicy part.
Although the fresh scent is lovely for us humans, the flies can’t stand it and will find somewhere else to go.
“They just hate it,” the pro said as she explained how she keeps a just one in her conservatory, and in other rooms around her house.
“My husband just didn’t believe this until he saw a fly come in, see this, turn around and fly out,” she added.
After around a week, the lemon scent will begin to fade, so you can take the cloves out and reuse them with fresh lemons, to keep your home smelling fresh and keep the flies out.
And since a bag of lemons from Asda will set you back just 99p, as will a bag of cloves, this back works out at just pennies.
If, like most people, you like to leave windows and doors open during the warm summer months, you could also stick one of the clove lemons there too, to deter them from coming inside.
“But two easy solutions can be to regularly pour hot water down your drain (every three-five days) which will effectively clean the drains and kill the eggs, larvae and any adult flies.”
What are house flies?
House flies got their name by being the most common household fly.
With their hairy black bodies and translucent wings, these insects can be found worldwide.
They generally live for between 15 and 25 days and can survive without food or water for two to three days.
What causes a lot of flies in the house?
House flies are highly attracted to manure, and can often be found around farms.
They generally stay within a mile or two of their birthplace, but they have been known to travel up to 20 miles.
House flies enjoy being in the sun, and will perch in sunny spots around your home.
Bright lights at night can also attract flies.
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
