Britons warned of swarms of thunderflies – £1.50 supermarket purchase will stop them
A pest control expert has warned Britons to beware of pesky thunderflies, but there is a cheap solution to stop them for just £1.50
Summer is here, with barbecues, beach trips, and ice cream galore. But with the warmer weather comes an army of nasty pests.
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Meet the thunderbug: tiny black insects invading homes, infesting gardens and driving Britons mad.
These tiny creatures are known as thrips, thunderflies or thunder beetles. They can be as small as 1 mm, but swarm in large numbers.
Fortunately, there is an inexpensive remedy that can put an end to this: herbs.
Thunder beetles have a strong sense of smell and certain herbs can repel them.
Planting lavender, rosemary and thyme around your windows and inside your home can help deter these unwanted guests.
You can buy rosemary at Tesco for just £1.20. Other supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Asda and Aldi also sell these herbs for an affordable price, starting at £1.50.
For extra protection, you can also make a mixture of boiled milk, sugar and pepper. Place the mixture in shallow bowls around your home to attract and kill the insects.
WHAT ARE THUNDERBUGS?
Thunder beetles are small, flying insects that thrive in dry, warm weather.
According to experts, they occur most often in the summer, often before a storm.
Although they pose no danger to humans, their presence can be extremely irritating.
They are not harmful to humans, but can cause damage to your garden.
These pesky insects can destroy your garden by laying eggs in plants, causing the petals to turn brown and the entire vegetation to die.
Other effective ways to prevent an infestation are to keep your houseplants moist, vacuum regularly, and place screens on open windows and doors.
One final measure to keep them away is to avoid wearing bright colors that they are attracted to.
If you already have a problem with storm beetles, you can reduce the number of insects by treating them with a special oil, neem oil or insecticidal soap. This will make it easier to eradicate them.
Don’t let thunderstorms ruin your summer feeling. With these simple tricks, you can enjoy the sunny season without the swarms.
Tips to get rid of thunderflies
- Use herbs: Plant lavender, rosemary and thyme around your windows and inside your house to deter them. You can buy rosemary from Tesco for just £1.20.
- Avoid bright clothing: Thunder bugs like bright colours, so choose lighter shades.
- Make a trap: Mix boiled milk, sugar and pepper in shallow bowls to attract and kill thunder beetles.
- Keep plants moist: Thunder bugs like dry plants, so make sure your houseplants get enough water.
- Regular vacuuming: Regular vacuuming helps to remove any thunder flies that have worked their way inside.
- Install mesh screens: Place mesh on open windows and doors to prevent insects from entering.
- Use oils and soaps: Apply a narrow spectrum oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap to affected areas to reduce and eliminate the number of thunderbugs.
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