Pouring boiling water down the drain for just 10 seconds each morning can banish flies for good, according to journalist Katherine McPhillips, who successfully eliminated a fly infestation in her kitchen without using toxic insect sprays.
How a Simple Sink Clean Solved the Fly Problem
Flies can be a huge nuisance during summer, rapidly swarming homes. McPhillips had been keeping her windows shut at night, but flies still found their way into her kitchen. While keeping fruit bowls and rubbish bins clean is obvious, she discovered that the sink drain was the overlooked culprit. Sink drains provide an ideal environment for flies—warm, moist, and occasionally containing food debris. They are hidden from view, making it easy for an infestation to go undetected. If unnoticed, flies start depositing eggs, making elimination much harder.
McPhillips spotted her fly infestation within the first day and found an incredibly straightforward solution: taking a few moments to pour boiling water down the drain. Boiling water destroys any flies or larvae lurking in the drain while also shifting grease that attracts pests. Flies have an exceptionally keen sense of smell and are lured by rotting food odors; maintaining clean drains removes these scents and prevents flies from entering the home.
Avoiding Toxic Sprays
McPhillips strongly dislikes using insect sprays indoors due to breathing in toxic fumes and concerns about harmful chemicals lingering on floors and worktops. Since dedicating just 10 seconds each morning to cleaning her drain, flies have become a thing of the past, and she can now leave windows open without worry.
Additional Tips for Fly Prevention
McPhillips also occasionally pours soda crystals down the drain followed by water, which naturally breaks down grease and prevents blockages. On one occasion, she poured boiling water down the drain last thing at night to ensure no flies crept into the kitchen overnight. She also made sure no grease, food debris, or anything else was left in the sink overnight.
Placing a simple apple vinegar trap beside the fruit bowl and on the windowsill proved remarkably effective at keeping flies at bay. The apple vinegar trap works best when the window is open, while pouring boiling water down the drain daily is more suitable when windows are shut. Since flies frequently enter kitchens due to the irresistible smell of food, McPhillips has been temporarily storing all fruit in the fridge and replacing the bin bag every day.
Results
July is peak season for flies, but since adopting the boiling water method, vinegar trap, and ensuring all food is properly stored away, McPhillips hasn't had a single insect inside her home. She can now enjoy keeping windows open throughout the summer without the nuisance of unwanted flies.
