You don't need expensive bug sprays – there's 3 ingredients already in your kitchen that'll get rid of flies this summer

The Sun

17-07-2025

IF you're sick of swatting away annoying house flies then there's good news.
One clever TikTok user has shared a game-changing kitchen hack that's gone viral and uses just three everyday ingredients you've probably already got in your cupboards.
You don't need to fork out on fancy sprays or chemical-filled traps to win the summer bug battle.
DIY queen Genevieve Levy, @genevieve.levy.creates, who's known for her simple home tips and clever life hacks, revealed her simple trick in a short clip and it couldn't be easier.
She said: 'This is probably one of the most unsexy kitchen hacks but it's a really useful one.'
And judging by the swarm of tiny corpses floating in her homemade trap, it seriously works.
All you need is a squirt of Fairy Liquid, a splash of vinegar, and a bit of sugar or honey.
Mix it all up in a small bowl, top it off with some water, then stretch cling film tightly over the top.
Grab a sharp knife and poke a few holes in the film.
The holes should be just big enough for the flies to crawl in, but not so wide they can wriggle back out.
Place your deadly potion near your fruit bowl or anywhere you've noticed the little pests partying, and wait.
Before long, those pesky flies are lured in by the sweet scent, only to meet a soapy end in the murky mix below.
'These miracle bags should be in every home,' says mum who created a cheap hack to prevent flies from entering your home
'I've got some concoctions on the go which they love,' Genevieve said, showing off the results and viewers in the comments are obsessed.
One fan said: 'This works wonders thank you."
Another wrote: 'Omg you're a lifesaver, I've been struggling for days.'
A third added: 'I do the same, it's magic.'
So instead of wasting your hard-earned cash on bug sprays that stink up the house, try this easy homemade hack using stuff you've already got in your kitchen.
It's cheap, it's effective and it means your kitchen stays fly-free all summer long.
What are house flies?
House flies got their name by being the most common household fly.
With their hairy black bodies and translucent wings, these insects can be found worldwide.
They generally live for between 15 and 25 days and can survive without food or water for two to three days.
What causes a lot of flies in the house?
House flies are highly attracted to manure, and can often be found around farms.
They generally stay within a mile or two of their birthplace, but they have been known to travel up to 20 miles.
House flies enjoy being in the sun, and will perch in sunny spots around your home.
Bright lights at night can also attract flies.
Why do flies come out in summer?
Flies are present all year round, but all of a sudden when summer comes, they are just EVERYWHERE!
The main contributing factors are the breeding cycle of flies and the soaring temperatures.
Insects are cold blooded and in summer, when their body temperature rises from the external heat, they become more active.
The hotter weather also let's them seek out cool moist spots, like inside your home, to escape from the sweltering heat and to lay their eggs.
House Fly eggs take around 20 hours to hatch, but when the temperature rises above 37 degrees, can hatch within 8 hours!
In extreme hot weather the eggs can mature from larvae to adult fly in as little as four days.
The average lifespan of a housefly is 21 days, so each female can lay up to 900 eggs during the summer months!