As Britain roasts in a scorching heatwave that could push temperatures past 40C, more people are choosing to eat outside. However, alfresco dining comes with a major drawback: flies and other bugs disrupting meals. A simple hack using two common kitchen ingredients can help deter these nuisances.
Lemon and cloves: a natural fly repellent
According to Keely Smith, interior designer at JD Elite Interiors, flies are "incredibly sensitive to scent." She recommends sticking cloves into lemons because the combination creates a smell that flies detest. Keely 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 combination works both indoors and outdoors. Placing clove-filled lemons on the table can stop flies hovering around the food. However, you may need to use more lemons to combat the heat, placing them directly next to serving dishes.
Refresh lemons regularly to maintain effectiveness
Keely added a warning: "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."
The advice comes as experts also address whether to keep windows open or closed during the heatwave. According to specialists at SCI Windows, the general rule is: open windows if the house temperature is greater than outside; otherwise keep them closed to retain cool air.
Window tips for keeping cool
They recommend opening windows at night and early morning before temperatures rise. "Letting air circulate around the house is easily the best method of keeping inside temperatures down," they said. Alan Reid, windows expert at Art Windows and Doors, told the Manchester Evening News to open windows at 8pm when outside temperature drops. UK housebuilder John Small suggests shutting windows around 9am when temperatures start rising again.
Britain is bracing for the hottest June day ever, with hundreds of schools closing. Forecasters predict temperatures above 35C today, with Wednesday and Thursday expected to be the hottest. The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for those days.
