As the UK braces for record-breaking June temperatures exceeding 40C, a simple hack using two common kitchen ingredients can help deter flies from your home and garden. Interior designer Keely Smith of JD Elite Interiors recommends pushing cloves into lemons to create a scent that flies cannot tolerate.
Why Lemon and Cloves Work
According to Keely Smith, flies are "incredibly sensitive to scent." She told Ideal Home: "The combination of lemon and cloves throws off their senses and makes the area smell too intense and confusing for them to stick around." This method is effective both indoors and outdoors, making it ideal for alfresco dining during the heatwave.
How to Use the Hack
Place clove-studded lemons on your table to deter flies from buzzing around food. For best results during high heat, position them directly beside serving dishes where flies are most likely to land. Keely cautioned: "You'll need to refresh the lemon often, once every few days, to keep the scent working. Once it dries out or starts to rot, you're not repelling flies anymore - you're actually inviting them in."
Window Advice for the Heatwave
Specialists also addressed whether to keep windows open or shut during the heatwave. The experts at SCI Windows advise: "Open the windows if house temperature is greater than outside temperature. Otherwise keep them closed to keep the cool air inside, as long as possible." They suggest opening windows overnight and early morning before temperatures rise. Alan Reid of Art Windows and Doors told the Manchester Evening News that homeowners should begin opening windows at 8pm as temperatures drop. John Small of Ty Eco recommends closing windows at around 9am when temperatures start rising again.
UK Heatwave Forecast
The UK is preparing for a record-breaking June heatwave, with hundreds of schools closing. Meteorologists forecast temperatures above 35C today (June 23), with Wednesday June 24 and Thursday expected to be the hottest days. The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning covering both days.
