Record-breaking heat in June created ideal conditions for flies to breed, leading to an increase in these pests in homes. A simple two-ingredient spray made from common kitchen items could help banish them naturally.
Health Risks and Annoyance
House flies are known to spread disease and can carry illnesses such as salmonella, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, and even anthrax. They can be unbearable when they get inside your home, buzzing around your head and settling on your food, vomiting and defecating after landing on unsanitary material such as faeces and rotting produce.
The Two-Ingredient Solution
Journalist Christopher Stevens explains the method in The Mail: "Another method is to add drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil to white wine vinegar. Spray this liberally around doors and windows, as well as bins and drains."
It's important to empty your bins regularly, of course - and never put liquid in a bin. That makes any food waste rot faster, attracting more flies.
Drain Cleaning Tip
Katherine McPhillips shared her method for tackling flies after facing a "serious" infestation in her kitchen in July 2025. She tried everything from scrubbing her bin to vinegar traps, but was ultimately forced to keep her windows shut despite the intense heat.
She investigated the drain in her sink and wrote: "Flies are drawn to food waste, which is why cleaning your bin is often the first piece of advice given when they become a problem — however, sink drains are equally exposed to food debris on a daily basis." She added that flies possess remarkably sharp senses, enabling them to detect rotting matter even from outside your home.
Katherine says detecting the problem early is important, as leaving it could result in a "full-blown infestation" spanning the entire summer. Her method is simple: "Boil a full kettle and slowly pour the scalding water down the drain each evening before heading to bed."
