UK households are being advised to place 1p coins in their fruit bowls during the ongoing heatwave, as a simple and cost-free method to deter fruit flies. Temperatures are expected to soar above 30°C this week, with some areas reaching 36°C, marking the third heatwave of the year.
Why fruit flies become a problem in hot weather
The warm weather creates ideal conditions for fruit flies, which are attracted to ripe fruit. They can quickly become a nuisance, appearing suddenly in kitchens, especially when bananas or other ripe fruits are left out in bowls.
While many people turn to traps or sprays, an expert has recommended a traditional hack: placing a clean 1p coin in the fruit bowl. The copper content is believed to help repel the flies, although the effect is not guaranteed.
Expert advice on the 1p coin trick
DIY expert Glen Peskett from Saxton Blades explained: “Fruit flies love ripe fruit, so if you've got bananas, apples or anything sitting out on the counter, they're going to take an interest pretty quickly. The idea behind the 1p trick is that the copper might help put them off a little, although it is not something that is guaranteed to work every time. Still, it is a simple one to try if you've got a few of them hanging around.”
The trick takes only seconds to implement and costs nothing if you already have a spare coin. Simply place a clean 1p coin in the fruit bowl alongside the fruit. However, it is not a magic fix and works best when combined with good kitchen hygiene.
Additional tips to keep fruit flies away
To maximize effectiveness, households should also address the root causes of fruit fly infestations. Peskett added: “A lot of the time, fruit flies are only there because they've found an easy food source. You can try different tricks, but if you've got overripe fruit sitting out or food waste building up, they'll keep coming back. Keeping things clean and getting rid of anything that's attracting them will make the biggest difference.”
Key steps include removing overripe fruit promptly, wiping up sugary spills, emptying food bins regularly, and keeping kitchen surfaces clean. These measures help make the home less inviting to fruit flies, reducing the likelihood of an infestation.
