By Roisin Chapman
OPENING every window in your house can be a handy way to cool it down in the hot weather.
However, this can result in another annoying summertime problem: flies.
These pesky insects seem to find their way into your home as soon as you open a door or a window.
From fly zappers to repellent sprays, there are a variety products available for pest control.
But you don’t need to spend a fortune deterring these bugs from your home.
A property expert has revealed a DIY hack that banishes flies from your space.
Paul Gibbons, who works at housebuyers4u.co.uk, broke down the effective method.
And it likely won’t cost you anything as the two items you need are probably already in your kitchen cupboard.
Fly invasion
According to the pro, there’s no better time to tackle the seasonal invasion of flies in your home.
After all, “flying ant day” is on the horizon, which refers to the mating season for flying ants that typically happens during July or August.
This time of year will see swarms of insects emerge in the UK as they are triggered by the hot, humid weather.
And with this year’s heatwaves, there has been speculation that swarms could be around longer than usual.
“The summer heat creates perfect conditions for flies to multiply rapidly,” Paul explained.
“What most homeowners don’t know is that simple items already in their homes can help deter flies better than expensive products.”
This includes the apple cider vinegar and cling film method, which proves to be an effective way to bait flies.
You can pick up 500 millilitre bottle of apple cider vinegar for just £2.10 from Sainsbury’s.
This ingredient plays the role of attracting the flies to your DIY trap.
You can then use cling film, which you can grab for just £1 from Dunelm, to seal the deal.
To carry out this simple hack, simply fill a glass with apple cider vinegar, cover it with cling film, and poke small holes in the top.
Flies will be drawn to the sweet fermented scent and enter through the holes.
However, they won’t be able to find their way out again.
According to the expert, this mixture works best when placed in areas where flies gather most frequently, such as near fruit bowls or bin areas.
“The key to keeping flies out is consistency,” Paul reiterated.
“Use these methods together for best results, particularly during July and August when fly populations reach their peak in British homes.”
He also recommended keeping food covered, cleaning up spills immediately, and emptying your bins regularly.
“These simple habits make your home much less attractive to flies in the first place,” he concluded.
Other pest control hacks
And an 89p Asda buy can also help to repel flies from your home this summer.
Plus a £1 buy from B&M banishes flies from your space in the hot weather.
A 49p plant will keep wasps away from your garden all summer long.