HOW TO KEEP FLYING INSECTS OUT OF YOUR HOME
No one likes having flying insects in their home, but when the warm weather arrives, so do the bugs. While you can’t get rid of them altogether, you can limit their access to your house and put things in place to repel them.
Below, pest control expert Jonathan Nicholls at HomeHow.co.uk explains everything you need to know about keeping flying insects out of the home…
Insect screens
The most effective way to prevent flying insects from getting into your home is to put up physical barriers. If you want to keep your windows and doors open in good weather, there are many different insect screens available for various openings.
These range from stick-on screens that you can do yourself to professionally fitted models. Obviously, the amount you’re prepared to spend and how effective you want the insect screen to be will influence your choice.
You’ll need to decide if the effectiveness of the fly screen is more important than the aesthetics as well as how temporary or permanent you want it to be. Some insect screens allow you and animals to move through the open doors, while others won’t, so bear this in mind if you still want instant access to your outside space.
Keep windows and doors closed
Of course, the alternative to fly screens is to just keep your windows and doors closed. However, this isn’t particularly practical or healthy. Even in cooler weather conditions, it’s best to have good airflow throughout your home. This helps to keep moisture levels down as well as to exchange stale for fresh air every day.
In warmer weather, there is even more incentive to keep windows and doors open, as people like to enjoy the higher temperatures and increased sunshine. If you want to let fresh air in, a small fanlight open on a minimum setting will introduce a surprising amount of fresh air. With some tight mesh curtains, this should prevent any insects from getting through.
Maintain clean surfaces
Most flying insects such as houseflies are attracted to food that has been left out in the open. Keeping all your surfaces, particularly in the kitchen, clean will help to reduce the number of flies that are attracted to your home.
Make sure to wash up plates soon after use or put them in the dishwasher immediately. Throw away any uneaten food and make sure you have a bin with a lid to contain odours and stop access to insects.
Wipe up any spills, even water, as in hot weather, flying insects will seek out moisture. Pay particular attention to wiping up sweet drinks or alcohol.
Use food storage containers
Avoid leaving uneaten food out. Instead, use food containers with lids for leftovers and store them in the fridge.
Regularly check your fruit bowl, as ripening fruit attracts insects. To deal with this problem, put an inch of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing-up liquid in a bowl or glass nearby.
The flies are attracted to the vinegar because it smells like overly ripe fruit. The washing-up liquid breaks the liquid surface and prevents the flies from standing on it and they drown. Keeping fruit in the fridge rather than in an exposed fruit bowl is a much better idea.
Move outdoor bins away from the house
If your outdoor bins are close to the house or near windows or doors that you want to keep open, move them further away, if possible. Where space is limited, consider a bin storage area that will provide an extra layer of protection from insects.
The odours coming from the bins can attract flies and other insects from quite a distance, sometimes miles away. Even if they can’t access the bins, they can enter your home through any nearby open windows. It’s also advisable to regularly wash out your bins, particularly if a bin bag has spilt its contents inside.
Clean up after pets
Of course, any fouling by your pets in the garden will attract flies. Make sure to clean up pet waste regularly or better still, as soon as it happens. This is not always possible but cleaning up after your dogs daily will prevent a build-up of waste in your outside space and attract fewer flies. Faeces are the ideal environment for flies to multiply, another very good reason to keep the amount of fouling in your garden under control.
Dogs and cats are not always tidy eaters. If pet food gets on the floor, make sure to clean it up immediately, as it will attract insects.
Limit light when it gets to dusk
Insects are attracted to light, so as it gets dark and we automatically turn on interior lights, the insects will be attracted inside. If you want to keep your windows or doors open and you haven’t fitted insect screens, try dimming the lights.
Hanging fine mesh curtains or blinds on your windows can help prevent insects from entering. Alternatively, close your doors and windows as it gets dark.
Use citronella
Another line of defence against insects coming into your home is citronella. This substance is sold in a myriad of forms as an insect repellent, including essential oils, diffusers, candles and scent coils, mostly for use outside in the garden.
The compounds that are in citronella oil are able to mask smells such as lactic acid and carbon dioxide, which attract flies, mosquitos and other insects to their hosts. It also disrupts their ability to smell food and so deters them.
Plants
You can plant various plants around your doors or in pots and containers on your windowsills to help repel flying insects. Try lavender, marigolds and nasturtiums, as well as herbs like basil, rosemary, sage and lemon balm, which naturally contains citronella.
Not only will you have an attractive insect repellent around your house but your home will have a very pleasant fragrance. You’ll also have fresh herbs for your kitchen.
No one method will keep all flying insects out of your home, so try a combination to see what works best for you.
