Flies can be a nuisance in summer, swarming around our alfresco suppers, food preparation areas, and compost bins. But a clever 1p trick promises to keep your garden buzz-free using household essentials.
According to the experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk, placing a penny in a glass of water can deter flies as they get confused by the light reflection. When flies see the water, it will disrupt their sense of direction and cause them to avoid the area – which is great news for your next garden party.
Another similar hack to keep flies away is to fill half a plastic bag with water and a handful of pennies, then hang the bag in your garden. Much like the glass trick, the water bag reflects light and will confuse the flies.
‘There’s nothing worse than when you’re having a nice barbecue with friends and family and there’s bugs flying about,’ says Chris Bonnet, founder of Gardening Express.
‘They can be a real pain, but there are a few inexpensive ways to keep them away. This trick is really simple and a lot of them involve using things most of us probably already have in our homes.’
Oxford Scientific – Getty Images
If you’re still battling a fly problem, other tricks you may want to try include planting insect-repellant plants like lavender and chrysanthemums, lighting citronella candles during an evening meal, or slicing lemons in half and placing a clove of garlic inside — flies won’t like the scent.
‘Preventing flies from entering and breeding in your home requires a proactive and consistent approach. Flies are primarily attracted to environments with food waste, moisture, and warmth, conditions often found in kitchens and outdoor areas during the warmer months,’ says an expert from Rentokil Pest Control.
‘Rubbish and compost bins should always be kept securely closed and placed away from the home where possible. Open or overflowing bins provide an ideal breeding ground for flies, especially in warm weather.’
With Google searches for ‘flies’ increasing by 47 per cent year on year, now is the perfect time to give these simple hacks a go.
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