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six ways to prevent house flies from entering your home this summer

Jul 05, 2023
House Flies
As the weather warms up and we open our windows and doors to let the fresh air in, house flies, and fruit flies are more likely to enter our homes.
These flies are attracted to over-ripe fruit and rotten food, so you’ll typically notice them lingering by your kitchen bin or fruit bowl.

Key Takeaways

  • Seal Cracks: Identify and seal cracks in window and door frames.
  • Manage Rubbish: Promptly dispose of decayed food and wipe down surfaces.
  • Natural Deterrents: Use basil plants or essential oils (e.g., lemon grass, peppermint).
  • Proper Food Storage: Cover food after cooking to avoid fly breeding.
  • Pet Hygiene: Clean up pet waste promptly.
  • Remove Dead Flies: Regular cleaning discourages other insects.
While we don’t want to swat them, we do need to prevent flies from making their way in, and it seems Brits are desperate to find out how, as in the past 30 days, there has been a 350% increase in Google searches for ‘how to stop flies coming into my house’. To help you out, Barratt Homes  gives these five tips for preventing flies from entering your home this summer. 
 

1. Identify cracks in your home and seal them. 

Firstly, identify the cracks in your home and then seal them. These cracks are mainly found in window and door frames. Flies find ways through cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and vent pipes. Clean the damages before you fill them, and ensure you have the appropriate high-quality sealant. Use a mesh screen to add a second layer of protection. 


2. Keep on top of the rubbish. 

Flies love decayed food that has rotted and over-ripened, creating the perfect breeding ground. If a rubbish bag is left, flies will lay eggs and populate. If you remove rubbish, you prevent the fly population. Wipe down any surfaces with spillages, which will also attract the flies. Remove spoiled fruit from fruit bowls as soon as possible and watch for any food that has dropped on the floor within the kitchen. 

 

3. Consider natural detergents 

Flies hate basil, so consider popping a basil plant in your kitchen to help deter them. Flies also hate the smell of essential oils like lemon grass, peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus – try putting a few drops in a spray bottle and using them around the house daily to keep them away.  For an alternative technique, you can also replicate a method with vodka - as flies aren’t too fond of this either. 

 

4. Store your food correctly. 

If food isn’t stored correctly and left out for long periods, it can lead to contamination, making you sick.  If you’ve had a BBQ, ensure food is covered immediately after cooking and not left outside, as this can quickly become a breeding ground for flies. 

 

5. Clean up after your pets. 

Your pet going to the toilet in the garden is normal but remove any trace of faeces from the area where they did their business as soon as you notice it. Removing the waste will prevent house flies from being in your garden or within the home and stop them from feeding and breeding on the faeces. 

 

6. Remove any dead flies currently in the home. 

Removing current dead flies within the home will prevent an unsanitised environment. If you have deceased flies around the house, this will attract more insects to feed and breed. Ensure that dusting and cleaning occur weekly to prevent other insects from providing from the flies. 
 
The best way to get rid of flies within the home is to prevent them in the first place, but it’s just as important not to harm them. From practising good food hygiene to cleaning up a spillage as soon as it’s made will deter flies from entering your home. 
 

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