Few things are as irritating as spotting a fly buzzing around your home, especially when you’ve just opened the windows to let some fresh air in. While a couple of flies might not seem like a big deal, they can quickly become a nuisance, especially during the warmer months when they seem to rapidly multiply.
And it’s not always obvious what’s attracting them either. From food left out on the kitchen counter to overflowing bins and even certain areas you might not think to check, there are plenty of potential reasons why flies are making themselves at home.
Thankfully, getting rid of them doesn’t necessarily mean reaching for the strongest, most foul-smelling insect spray you can find. There are simple steps you can take to make your home less appealing to flies and prevent them from coming back. Here’s what a pest expert told me about how to keep flies away.
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What attracts flies to come indoors?
There’s usually a reason behind a sudden influx of flies, and it often comes down to what they can find to eat. According to Matt Lenton, an expert in pest control at Insect and Flyscreens, uncovered food, overripe fruit, overflowing bins, pet food, crumbs and even small spills can all attract flies into your home.
“Flies are mainly attracted by food and waste,” Lenton explains. This means that even small sources of food can make your home appealing to them, so keeping surfaces clean and food properly covered can help reduce the chances of an infestation.
Best cleaning products
Spruce multi-purpose cleaner + 6 refills
Our best overall eco-friendly cleaning product is the Spruce multi-purpose cleaner, ideal for keeping your kitchen counters clean. Reviewer Lois Borny found the multi-purpose cleaner came in handy for “quick clean-ups and freshening up surfaces.”
“Suitable for most sealed surfaces, including wood, it removed a coffee stain from a wooden table, and it didn’t leave residue or streaks on kitchen counters,” she added. “It doesn’t have a heady chemical smell, but rather a floral scent, thanks to the organic geranium essential oil.”
Miniml anti-bac surface cleaner
The Miniml anti-bac surface cleaner has a pleasant lavender scent and is ideal “for a deep clean without chemical antibacterials,” wrote Lois. In her testing she found “it removed grease, spills and general messes from the kitchen counter”.
She liked also that “the spray is a targeted stream rather than a mist, so it’s easy to be precise.”
What’s the best way to get rid of flies once they’re already inside?
Once flies have made their way indoors, start by removing anything that could be attracting them. Empty your bins, clean food preparation areas, wash any dirty dishes and check your drains for build-up, advises Lenton.
For a small number of flies, fly swatters or traps can help. But if you’re dealing with a persistent or larger infestation, he says there is more to it than simply getting rid of the flies you can see.
“To completely get rid of them,” Lenton explains, “you need to find the source.” That could mean tracking down food waste, a build-up in your drains or another area where flies are feeding or breeding. Tackling the source means you’re addressing the cause of the infestation, rather than repeatedly dealing with individual adult flies.
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How to stop flies from coming back
Keeping on top of household hygiene can go a long way towards stopping flies from returning, Lenton explains. Make sure food is covered, empty bins regularly, clean up spills as soon as they happen and avoid leaving pet food out for long periods.
But Lenton says prevention should start before flies even make it indoors. One simple way to do this is by fitting fly screens to your windows. These allow you to keep your windows open and get some fresh air, without giving flies such easy access to your home.
Why do flies suddenly appear in our homes, particularly during summer?
It can sometimes feel like flies suddenly appear out of nowhere during the warmer months, but there are a couple of reasons why you’re likely to notice more of them. According to Lenton, it’s often :a combination of increased insect activity and easier access” that’s behind the summer influx. So, seeing more flies around your home doesn’t necessarily mean there’s been a change in your cleanliness.
Best drain unblocker
Sainsbury’s sink and plughole unblocker
A build-up in your drains can be the reason why you’ve had an influx of flies. If this is the case, we’d recommend trying our best tried and tested drain unblocker from Sainsbury’s to clear them. “My bathroom sink had been draining painfully slowly, so I poured this thick gel down the plughole,” said tester Zoe Griffin. “The thick gel texture is designed to stick to blockages, helping to break down stubborn grime effectively. I found it cuts through kitchen sink grease just as well as it does through hair clogs in bathroom pipes.”
Best kitchen bin
Brabantia bo touch bin
Keeping your bin emptied regularly and clean is one way to keep flies at bay, and during testing the Brabantia bo touch bin was named the best design overall, and noted for being easy to clean. Reviewer Rachael Penn wrote in her guide to the best kitchen bins: “The bo touch is one of those bins that manages to effortlessly blend style and substance. It has two separate inner buckets – one is 23l, the other 11l – and both have a generous capacity. It’s ideal if you don’t want multiple bins for your household and recycling waste.”
She added: “Another thing I loved was its click-on legs, which give it some height off the floor. Not only does that mean it’s easy to clean around and under the bin, but you don’t have to bend down to use it.”
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