There’s a simple two minute task everyone can do to keep house flies at bay this summer (Image: Jenny Dettrick via Getty Images)
Summer is undoubtedly the worst season for flies, yet it turns out there is a straightforward technique to stop them from getting into your home so you can keep windows open without them buzzing about. Flies become such a menace during summer because their eggs hatch at a significantly faster rate in warmer temperatures, and they not only need to hunt for food but also for a safe place to reproduce.
Most people are unaware that flies regularly make their way into the darker corners of a kitchen, and once inside, it can be extremely difficult to get rid of them as their eggs hatch in fewer than 24 hours. It might seem obvious to simply treat them with an insect repellent, but these products commonly contain harmful chemicals that can linger on surfaces, which is far from ideal if you have children or pets.
Flies not only come into kitchen to look for food but to find somewhere safe to lay eggs (Image: Getty)
Fortunately, you needn’t wait for the cooler autumn temperatures to rid yourself of flies, as William from Pest Buddy has revealed that it is far more efficient to simply check your sink drain on a regular basis.
William explained: “Flies, and drain flies in particular, breed in the moist, organic film that builds up inside drains and plugholes. Clean and disinfect drains regularly to remove a hidden breeding site and food source that’s easy to overlook.”
Flies initially enter homes because they can detect food from a great distance, which is precisely why keeping your kitchen spotlessly clean remains the single most effective way to keep them away.
Many households are already well aware that they should cover fruit bowls and regularly dispose of rubbish during summer, as decomposing food swiftly attracts these bothersome pests, reports LiverpoolEcho.
Flies will also be attracted to the smell of food coming from your sink drain (Image: Getty)
However, sinks frequently receive a considerable amount of leftovers, crumbs and vegetable peelings down the plughole each day, which gradually form a greasy residue that clings to pipework.
Flies will not only be able to detect any food waste lingering in a sink, but the drain is also warm and concealed, making it the perfect spot for them to lay their eggs.
If you’re serious about keeping flies at bay this summer, ditch the toxic sprays and ineffective natural remedies and instead tackle neglected areas of your kitchen, particularly the sink drain.
How to keep flies away for good in summer
Keeping a sink drain clean is relatively simple, as you merely need to pour boiling water down the plughole, since the heat will break down any food residue and also destroy any flies already present.
It can further help to pour washing-up liquid or soda crystals down the sink, as these are especially efficient at cutting through grease compared to other cleaning products.
Make sure you clean your sink on a weekly basis throughout summer, or even daily should you suspect a fly problem, to prevent the build-up of odours that can lure flies in.
That said, it will also make a considerable difference to wipe down kitchen worktops, sweep the floor and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink, as even the tiniest crumb can be enough to entice flies.
Keeping your kitchen free of flies doesn’t require buying any additional products or gadgets; simply spending a few minutes clearing away food debris is enough to keep them at bay for the rest of the summer.