Flies can be banished from your home with one simple food item. In a recent appearance on This Morning, pest control expert Vicki Hall revealed that roasting some coffee beans in the oven will deter flies from your home thanks to the strong smell – one that is typically more pleasant for humans.
She explained: “You put coffee beans on a baking tray and spread them out. Then you put them in the oven for about ten to 15 minutes. The aroma of the coffee will stop flies from coming in, so if anyone out there has been to a coffee shop and not seen any flies, then this could be the reason why.”
And this wasn’t the only hack shared by Vicki. Another uses apple cider vinegar and washing up liquid – more items that you likely already have at home.
For this, you simply just pour a little apple cider vinegar into a bowl or mug and add a few drops of washing-up liquid. Flies are attracted to the apple cider vinegar, while the soap breaks the surface tension, meaning they will sink. Similarly, Vicki also suggests creating a bottle fly trap, using a recycled 2-litre plastic bottle, sugar and a simple DIY funnel.
All you have to do is remove the bottle cap and cut the top off the bottle, around two or three inches from the neck. Add some apple cider vinegar and water to the bottle.
Then turn the top section upside down and place it inside the bottom half of the bottle to create a funnel. The flies will be able to get into the bottle but then won’t be able to get back out.
Vicki’s final tip is to use custom-fit magnetic fly screens on open windows, which will allow you to open your windows during hot weather, but also prevent flies from entering.
She says: “I use mesh screens all the time – I live next to a woodland so I am surrounded by insects all the time! And I’m living proof these are golden!”