With the UK facing a heatwave, open windows invite flies indoors. A cleaning expert has shared a 37p fruit hack to deter them. Chantel Mila, in a TikTok video, recommends cutting a lemon in half and pushing dried cloves into the flesh. The citrus and clove scents repel flies, and placing the fruit on a windowsill or in the kitchen helps keep them out.
Why This Hack Works
Interior designer Keely Smith explains that flies are "incredibly sensitive to scent." Lemons release limonene, a citrus compound that interferes with flies' ability to find food. Cloves add eugenol, a sharp, spicy scent that flies dislike even more. "The combination of lemon and cloves throws off their senses and makes the area smell too intense and confusing for them to stick around," Smith said.
Additional Tips to Repel Flies
Keep Things Clean
- Remove food scraps, spills, and garbage quickly.
- Clean pet food bowls and litter boxes regularly.
- Take out rubbish frequently and use bins with tight-fitting lids.
Use Natural Repellents
- Essential oils: Mix eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, citronella, or lemongrass with water and spray around doors and windows.
- Vinegar and dish soap trap: Fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. Flies are attracted but trapped by the soap.
- Cloves and citrus: Stick whole cloves into a cut lemon or orange and place it on a table or windowsill.
Outdoor Tips
- Remove standing water and decaying organic matter.
- Mow lawns and trim vegetation regularly.
Plants That Repel Flies
- Basil, mint, marigold, and bay leaf deter flies. Place pots near entryways or windows.
Chantel Mila also suggests boiling water with cloves, lemon slices, and vanilla extract to make the home smell amazing while repelling flies. Another hack involves filling a cloth bag with dried rice and lemon oil to keep mould and moisture at bay in wardrobes.
This cost-effective method, using a lemon costing around 37p, offers a natural alternative to chemical repellents, making your home smell fresh while keeping pests away.
