Flies are a common unwanted house guest, especially in the summer months when they seem to be everywhere! Not merely annoying to deal with, flies are also capable of spreading diseases and infections. Flies in the home can be frustrating, especially in the kitchen where you want to keep everything clean and hygienic. These pests often lay eggs on meat and other food items and hover over kitchen surfaces.

But how do you keep these pests at bay? Here are 5 tips to get rid of houseflies and keep them from coming back:

1. Keep houseflies away

The best way to prevent flies from being drawn into the house is to keep your home and kitchen clean and clear from items that may attract flies. Make sure surfaces and countertops are clean and clear. Dirty dishes, crumbs, and foodstuff will also attract flies to your kitchen.

Products like Handy Andy are great for cleaning surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. Wash dishes immediately after you use them and don’t leave food out on the countertop for long periods of time, always clean the kitchen thoroughly after preparing food. Bin flies can be especially persistent and very annoying. Food waste is a feast for them so make sure to bin any left-over food waste and prevent it from piling up in the bin, causing a smell. Remove all rubbish as soon as the bin is full and remember to wash your bin regularly with a good quality disinfectant bleach.

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2. Natural fly repellant

If you’re looking for a more natural fly repellant, use vinegar to repel flies. Flies are repelled by vinegar, and the smell of boiling vinegar is an especially effective deterrent. Pour some malt vinegar in a pot or pan, let it boil, and soon the flies will look for a way to escape the space. Make sure to keep a close eye on the pot as you don’t want the vinegar to burn and be careful not to spill or be splash it on yourself.

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3. Using fly traps

Another way to get rid of flies is to use fly traps. You can make your own homemade fly trap with a jar, some sugary water, and a paper cone. The sugar attracts the flies, and the jar and cone make it impossible for the flies to escape once they are trapped.

You can also purchase flypapers coated with a fragrance that attracts flies. The flies will then get caught in the sticky paper, allowing you to remove them easily. While effective, these traps can be messy if they fall down or accidentally come into contact with another surface, as the sticky substance on the paper easily transfers to surfaces.

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4. Use plants to repel flies

Another natural way to repel flies is to use house plants. Flies dislike certain plants. Mint, for example, is a fly-repelling herb, and also very handy to have around the house to cook with. A small pot of mint may be worth purchasing if you struggle with flies, place it next to a door or window or on the kitchen worktop you tend to use when cutting up vegetables and handling meat.

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5. Dealing with an infestation of flies

Unfortunately, sometimes we may have to deal with major fly infestations. If you are facing an infestation, the first thing you need to do is clean your house thoroughly with a disinfectant like bleach. Vacuum and wash all surfaces with a disinfectant spray or wipes to get rid of any fly eggs, and make sure to clean behind furniture and everywhere that might not be easily accessible at first — that’s where flies like to hide.

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