
The 89p hack to keep flies out of your house during the hot weather – and you probably already have it in the fridge
FLIES are a common pest found in the summer months and they tend to constantly try and sneak into our homes.
While they may not be harmful, they certainly are annoying, but there's a simple way to get rid of them for good.
2
Pesky flies often come into the house seeking shelter from the heat.
Fortunately, pest control experts have shared a simple and effective solution to this problem and you can get it in the supermarket for under £1.
Ideal Home said it is important to take preventative measures now so they don't get enticed to come to your home and ruin your evenings.
And according to the experts, all you need to deter flies is a cucumber, which you can buy from Tesco for 89p.
That's because house flies hate the smell of the vegetable, the experts add: "House flies are repelled by the scent of cucumbers, especially the more bitter varieties."
The exact reason is not fully understood, but it's believed that the natural compounds in cucumber skin, such as cucurbitacins, 'emit a smell that flies find unpleasant and instinctively avoid,' explains Glen Peskett, DIY expert at Saxton Blades.
Fruit flies are also known to avoid cucumbers, as they prefer to go for sweeter fruits.
By simply placing cucumber slices near entrances such as doors and windows, or in areas where flies congregate, like your kitchen bin or food waste container, you can get rid of them.
Most of us have cucumber lying around in the fridge so for many the hack will be free.
But experts say you need to be careful not to let the food rot, as this will attract flies, reports the Express.
2
Top Hacks to Keep Foxes Out of Your Garden
Georgios Likopoulos, an insect specialist at Fantastic Pest Control, stated: "Using cucumbers as a fly deterrent is simple and natural. It works best for light fly activity.
"When combined with good hygiene and exclusion tactics, it can contribute to broader, integrated pest management approaches.
"It might not get rid of all flies, but it can significantly reduce their numbers."
Glen also agrees, describing the method as 'surprisingly effective'.
However, he also emphasises that it won't eliminate all flies, so maintaining good house hygiene practices, such as keeping windows closed or blinds drawn, is essential.
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
43 minutes ago
- BBC News
Cotham School's green space not to be shared, court says
A highly-contested 23-acre green space leased to a school to use as a playing field does not have to be shared with the local community, a judge has School in Bristol has been in dispute with residents living close to land it leases at Stoke Lodge since 2019 when it erected a 6ft (2m) high fence around City Council, which leased the land to the school, voted to give the site town green status in June 2023, but this status has now been revoked following a High Court Paul Matthews ruled that the fact local residents had ignored signs warning against trespass did not mean they had use of it "as of right" and Bristol City Council was wrong to change it status. The Redland school, which said it was "thrilled" with the legal ruling, was granted an 125-year lease on the land in 2011 due to lack of space on its inner city site three miles said it was forced to fence the site for safeguarding purposes and due to issues caused by out-of-control dogs and dog fouling on the sports pitches. The school argued that signs put up in the mid 1980s by the now-defunct Avon County Council warning against trespass showed the public never had the right to access the siteCampaign group We Love Stoke Lodge argued few people were aware of the signs and locals used the land "as of right", meaning they did not need permission to use it for recreation. In an 110-page judgment, Judge Matthews found that in addition to the two earlier signs, Bristol City Council had erected a similar one by the car park in noted that originally there had been six signs installed by Avon County Council, three of which disappeared after 2002, and that Cotham School had installed some when it took on the lease."I am satisfied that the various owners of the land in erecting the signs had done sufficient to make clear, during the relevant 20-year period, that unrestricted access to the land by the public was contested," he judge added that by granting Cotham School the lease, Bristol City Council had "transferred its right to possession, and to sue for trespass, to the claimant". 'Justice has prevailed' "Thereafter it was a matter for the claimant, rather than the City Council, as to whether or not to give permission for others to use the land," he ruled that the land should never have been registered as a town or village green, and ordered that the entry relating to the site must be deleted from the registry of such 2014 and 2019, when the fencing was installed, the school did not use the site at all following a risk concluded that a single teacher handling 30 pupils on a site away from the school could not manage the risks of open access to the land, dogs and of pupils absconding. In a statement following the judgment, the school said: "We're absolutely thrilled that justice has prevailed!"The rights and opportunities of our 1,700 students will finally be restored." The We Love Stoke Lodge group said it was "incredibly disappointed" with the decision."Green space is a finite and highly valued shared resource and many thousands of school children enjoy learning to exercise on public land today, both within and outside school time," it said it was considering its grounds for appeal.


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Shoppers rushing to get their hands on this coveted Denby dinner set that looks way more expensive than it is - and it's still in stock for now
Dinnerware that both looks beautiful and is super functional is a rarity, but Denby Pottery is here to make that myth a reality. Their bowls, plates, and cutlery are all meticulously designed, and built to last — boasting a 10-year guarantee. One of our current favorites? The Halo Speckle 4 Pc Set, which is currently on sale for 30 percent off, bringing its price down to $108.50. Halo Speckle 4 Pc Set Made with Derbyshire clay, this durable dinnerware is both microwave and dishwasher safe. Each piece is handcrafted and unique, and you'll get a dinner plate, a medium plate, a cereal bowl, and a mug with this set. Shop now for 30 percent off. $108.50 Shop Each Denby Pottery product is handcrafted in England, and each is extremely unique. No two glazes look alike, and that's why you're buying a one-of-a-kind product with Denby. You'll get a dinner plate, a medium plate, a cereal bowl, and a mug with this set, all made with Derbyshire clay which makes them durable and resistant to the occasional nick and bruise. Their design is what makes them truly unique, with specks of light and dark matte grey catching your eye at every angle. The brand even says each set is touched by almost 20 pairs of hands before it's ready to be sold. The best part? All four items in the Halo se t are dishwasher, freezer, microwave, and oven safe. Whether you're storing leftovers or reheating last night's pasta, this dinnerware can handle it all. You'll also get free shipping with your order, saving you from experiencing any surprise fees at checkout. Plus, the strong stoneware will be safe from any cracks during travel because of its sturdy design. Whether you're looking for dinnerware to entertain, or just need to stock up on new bowls and plates, Denby is your one-stop solution for it all. Their well-crafted dinnerware is built to last, and will have your guests asking, "Where did you buy this from?" Shop the Halo Speckle 4 Pc Set now for 30 percent off while stocks last, and give your kitchenware a much-needed upgrade.


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Schools cash boost is 'not enough', North Yorkshire Council warns
More than £7m of government cash for improvements to schools in North Yorkshire is not enough to cover a backlog of repairs, a council has Department for Education (DfE) has awarded North Yorkshire Council £7.03m from its School Condition Allocation grant for maintenance and building councillor Annabel Wilkinson said while she welcomed the "crucial support", the funding was "nowhere near enough for what we actually require". A council spokesperson said more than £80m was needed. The DfE has been contacted for comment. Wilkinson, the council's executive member for education, learning and skills, said the money would be used to "enhance the school buildings' energy efficiency, reducing their carbon footprint and energy bills".She said the council was "committed to ensuring schools were upgraded to provide modern, safe, warm and well-equipped facilities".The funding - which is an increase from last year's allocation of £5.8m - would also go towards roofing, heating and window replacements across nurseries, family centres and primary and secondary schools, the council Fielding, assistant director for inclusion, said the authority would "continue to lobby the government for more money towards school maintenance and improvements".She said: "By improving the fabric of our school buildings and installing energy efficiency measures, we are also keeping classrooms warm and over time it should reduce energy bills for our schools too."A council spokesperson said schools in the county were already facing a maintenance backlog of more than £20m, with a further £62.3m estimated to be needed to address the condition of classrooms within five of North Yorkshire Council's executive are due to meet on 17 June to discuss the funding. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.