Pest control expert Stephen Wales from Bespoke Pest Control has shared a simple, chemical-free method to remove flying ants from homes. The advice comes as a heatwave drives people to open windows, inadvertently inviting insects inside.
Step-by-Step Method to Evict Flying Ants
Wales recommends turning off all lights inside the house, as flying ants are attracted to light like many insects. Then, open windows and doors to allow the ants to exit on their own. He explains, "They want to be outside." After the ants have left, any that die indoors can be vacuumed up, and the vacuum bag should be disposed of in an outdoor bin.
Wales emphasizes that if the nest is not destroyed, it can persist for many years. Nests are often found in safe, undisturbed areas such as flower pots, under patios, beneath decking, under turf, or in piles of debris. He notes that flying ants swarm primarily to mate and breed, and the swarming typically lasts only a few hours.
Additional Natural Pest Deterrents
Another tip for repelling flies involves a 37p fruit. TikTok user Chantel Mila suggests cutting a lemon in half, inserting dried cloves into the flesh, and placing it on a windowsill. The citrus and clove scent deters flies. Interior designer Keely Smith from JD Elite Interiors explains that flies are highly sensitive to scent: lemons release limonene, a citrus compound that interferes with flies' ability to locate food, while cloves add eugenol, a sharp scent flies dislike. The combination creates an intense aroma that confuses and repels flies.
