I’m A Pest Control Expert And Here’s A 90p Trick To Keep Flies Out Of Your House

After the hottest day of the year on Saturday and with temperatures approaching 30 degrees Celsius today in some parts of the UK, the June heat wave has only just begun.

That’s all well and good for touching up the color, but what about the pesky houseflies that swarm in the kitchen – and elsewhere – during the warmer summer months?

Well, as annoying as houseflies can be, there is no longer any need to waste time or energy chasing them away thanks to a very quick and easy hack available from ASDA – for 90p.

Mint is high on the list of smells that flies hate and it turns out that a simple mint plant on the windowsill is all it takes to keep them away.

Other herbs that are also cheap to buy and work just as well are basil and rosemary.

Jordan Foster of Fantastic Pest Control, based in London, took a slightly different tack, saying that fighting off these pesky bugs is easy with some strong essential oils.

Speak against Express.nlrecommended the pro peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender and citronella as the best options.

He added that a quick and economical trick is to soak cotton balls in the oil and place them where you want to keep the bugs away.

“Using vinegar as a fly repellent can be effective,” Jordan told the outlet.

“Spraying a mixture of water and white vinegar around the house or using it to clean surfaces discourages flies from sticking around.”

Other repellents include strong-smelling herbs and spices such as basil, mint, rosemary, and cloves.

One of the cheapest peppermint oil options on Amazon retails for just £2.23, and cotton balls at Wilko go for 90p.

A mint plant, available from ASDA for 90 pence, can be placed on the windowsill or by the door to keep flies away during the current heat wave

Meanwhile, a bottle of distilled vinegar from Tesco costs just 29 cents.

Speaking to Country Living, Rentokil, a pest control company, said common houseflies are attracted to “rotten” stuff, while fruit flies seek sweet treats like overripe fruit or alcohol.

“Seeing some flies buzzing around doesn’t mean you have a serious fly problem,” an expert told the outlet.

“Although you should start paying more attention to other tell-tale signs, such as small dark clusters of spots in light areas and the presence of maggots.”

Spilled food, sticky surfaces, feces from the drain, alcohol, and pet feces are all things that can attract houseflies to your home.

Spilled food, garbage cans near windows and standing water (such as in watering cans) are also all common culprits, pest control experts told Homes and Gardens.

Speaking to the outlet, Nancy Troyano of Ehrlich Pest Control also warned that some species will only multiply if the problem persists.

“Fruit flies breed on damp, decaying organic matter, such as fruit or spilled drinks,” she said.

“If there’s a place for these insects to breed, they’ll keep coming back.”

Common houseflies will also remain a persistent problem until the source of the problem, especially any environment in which they can reproduce, such as indoor garages, is removed.

“Houseflies don’t bite, but they are capable of transmitting more than 100 different pathogens, including salmonellosis, typhoid and tuberculosis,” says Pestworld.org.

“Houseflies infest food surfaces by spreading pathogens that are picked up on their feet and mouths as they feed on detritus, feces and other decaying matter.

“Plus, they’re constantly pooping.”