Pouring boiling water down the sink drain every morning takes just 10 seconds and keeps flies out of the kitchen, according to Katherine McPhillips, a reporter for Spare Time who tested the method after battling an influx of flies all summer.
McPhillips initially thought keeping windows closed at night would stop the pests, but they still found their way into her kitchen. The real culprit was the sink drain, which offers flies warmth, moisture, and food scraps.
Boiling water kills larvae and removes odours
The boiling water kills any flies or larvae hidden in the drain and breaks down grease deposits that attract them. Flies have a highly acute sense of smell and are drawn to decomposing food, so clean drains remove those odours entirely.
McPhillips avoids insect sprays indoors due to concerns about inhaling toxic fumes and chemical residue on kitchen counters. She said: "However, since I spend 10 seconds each morning cleaning my drain, I have not dealt with any flies, and I can now keep my windows open without any fear of these really annoying insects."
Additional methods to keep flies away
Occasionally, McPhillips also tips soda crystals down the drain before running water through it, as this dissolves grease and helps prevent blockages. She pours boiling water down the drain before bed to ensure no flies enter overnight and keeps the sink free of grease and food debris.
She also places a simple apple vinegar trap beside the fruit bowl and on the windowsill, which works particularly well when the window is open. She has temporarily moved all fruit to the fridge and replaces the bin bag daily.
McPhillips said: "It has now been over a week, roughly 10 days, since I spotted a fly buzzing around my kitchen. Now, I can enjoy having my windows open without worrying about pesky flies annoying me this summer."
