House flies are an unfortunate side effect of British summer and can quickly infest a living space.
While the pests may not seem like a serious problem, house flies can spread pathogens and transmit several diseases to humans.
Furthermore, getting rid of an unwanted infestation could set you back up to £150, according to Checkatrade.
With this in mind, Chris Hutton, a storage expert and owner of Adams Selfstore, explained how to deal with a house fly infestation.
Identify breeding sites
One of the best ways to eradicate a house fly infestation is to identify where they are breeding.
Flies tend to breed in damp, organic material such as decaying food, rubbish, or animal waste.
Overwatered houseplants can also be good breeding sites for house flies so it’s worth checking your plants.
Fly traps
Sticky fly traps are one of the most effective ways to get rid of house flies. They can be found online and in most local supermarkets.
Simply place the trap in an area where flies linger around. DIY traps can be made using a jar with a mixture of sugar water and washing-up liquid.
Natural repellents
Adam said “natural repellents” such as essential oils can also be used alongside fly traps.
He said: “Eucalyptus, lavender, or peppermint work well when it comes to fending off flies, and all you need to do is soak cotton balls in these oils and place them strategically around your house.”
Vinegar
Adam said: “One of the more obscure methods you can use to get rid of an unwanted fly infestation is to fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar and cover it with cling film.
“Then, you simply need to poke small holes in the film, and the flies will be attracted to the vinegar and get trapped inside.”
Apple cider vinegar can be bought from most local supermarkets for as little as £2.
Keep drains clean
Drains should be cleaned regularly to stop flies from breeding in them.
Clean and disinfect drains regularly to deter flies from laying eggs there.
