Lots of us have been enjoying the warm weather recently, but with the sunshine comes some annoyances - including pesky flies.
Whether the flies buzz around food or around your face, getting rid of them can be difficult. But there may be a simple way to do so - and it is not expensive either. Pest expert Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control explains that all you need is some cotton balls and a scent that the insects dislike.
The bugs are not keen on the smell of various essential oils including peppermint and lavender. Citronella is also a scent known to repel flies with vinegar also an option if you do not have any of these oils at hand.
Speaking to The Express, Jordan said: "The strong scent of essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella repels flies. Using these oils in diffusers, sprays, or soaking cotton balls and placing them in areas where flies are a nuisance will help eliminate them.
"Using vinegar as a repellent for flies can be effective. Spraying a mixture of water and white vinegar around the house or using it to clean surfaces will discourage flies from lingering.
"Some herbs and spices, including basil, mint, rosemary, and cloves, repel flies with their strong aromas."
The oils are budget friendly if you do need to make a purchase, with peppermint oil and lavender oil available for as little as £2.25 on Amazon.
Eucalyptus oil is slightly pricier, costing around £2.78. However, there is also a variety available on eBay for just £1.79.
Citronella, a known bug repellent, can be bough in sprays as well as within scented candles. You can also purchase it in oil form, with a 10ml bottle available for £1.45 from the Online Pound Shop, and a larger spray bottle coming in at £11.79 from Amazon.
If you are looking for a permanent solution, you could try planting some lavender in your garden instead. Doing this will replace the need to use oils as the plant itself can deter flies as well as bringing a pretty pop of colour to your garden.
Jordan added: "Certain plants can deter flies with their natural fragrances. Flies are repelled by the sweet scent of lavender. By planting lavender bushes or placing dried lavender sachets near windows and doors, flies can be discouraged from entering.
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"Flies tend to avoid mint because of its strong scent, particularly spearmint and peppermint. Marigolds have a characteristic smell that makes flies avoid them. Marigolds can be planted in garden beds and used in pots near entrances to deter flies.
"A rosemary plant's aromatic scent can repel flies. In pots or as part of your landscaping, rosemary plants can serve as natural insect deterrents."
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