How to keep flying insects out of your home this summer according to pest control expert
A pest control expert has shared the best tips for keeping your home free from flying insects this summer - and they wont take up much time or effort.
No one enjoys the presence of flying insects in their home, but with the arrival of warm weather, bugs will naturally try and find their way in doors - and the problem will only get worse as the season continues.
While it's impossible to completely eliminate them, you can restrict their access to your house and implement measures to deter them.
Pest control expert Jonathan Nicholls at HomeHow.co.uk explains everything you need to know and provides a guide on how to keep flying insects out of your home....
Insect screens
The most effective method to prevent flying insects from entering your home is to install physical barriers. If you prefer to keep your windows and doors open during pleasant weather, there are numerous insect screens available for various openings.
These vary from stick-on screens that you can install yourself to professionally fitted models. Naturally, your budget and the effectiveness you desire from the insect screen will help you choose which option is best fit for yourself.
You'll need to determine whether the efficiency of the fly screen outweighs its aesthetic appeal, as well as how temporary or permanent you want it to be.
Some insect screens permit you and pets to pass through the open doors while others do not, so consider this if you still want immediate access to your outdoor area.
Keeping windows and doors shut
Naturally, one could simply keep their windows and doors closed as an alternative to fly screens. However, this isn't particularly practical or healthy.
Even in cooler weather conditions, it's best to maintain good air flow throughout your home. This aids in reducing moisture levels as well as swapping stale for fresh air daily.
Household tips and hacks
In warmer weather, the desire to keep windows and doors open increases as people enjoy the higher temperatures and increased sunshine. If you wish 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 cleanliness of surfaces
Most flying insects such as house flies are attracted to food that has been left out in the open. Keeping all your surfaces, especially in the kitchen, clean will help to reduce the number of flies that are attracted to your home.
Ensure to wash up plates soon after use or put them in the dishwasher immediately. Dispose of any uneaten food and make sure you have a bin with a lid to contain odours and stop access to insects.
Clean up any spills, even water, as in hot weather, flying insects will seek out moisture. Pay particular attention to cleaning up sweet drinks or alcohol.
Utilise food storage containers
Avoid leaving uneaten food out. Instead, use food containers with lids for leftovers and store them in the fridge.
Regularly inspect your fruit bowl as maturing fruit can draw in insects. To tackle this issue, place an inch of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing up liquid in a nearby bowl or glass.
The flies are lured to the vinegar because it smells like overly ripe fruit. The washing up liquid disrupts the liquid surface and stops the flies from standing on it, causing them to drown.
Storing fruit in the fridge rather than in an open fruit bowl is a much better option.
Relocate outdoor bins away from the house
If your outdoor bins are near the house or close to windows or doors that you want to keep open, move them further away if possible. If space is limited, consider creating a bin storage area for added protection against insects.
The smells emanating from the bins can attract flies and other insects from quite a distance, sometimes even miles away. Even if they can't access the bins, they can enter your home through any nearby open windows.
It's also recommended to regularly clean out your bins, especially if a bin bag has leaked its contents inside.
Ensure you clean up after your pets
Any pet waste left in the garden can attract flies, so it's important to clean it up regularly or ideally, as soon as it happens.
This may not always be possible, but daily cleaning will prevent a build-up of waste and fewer flies. Pet faeces provide an ideal environment for flies to multiply, giving you another good reason to keep your garden clean.
Pets like dogs and cats aren't always the neatest eaters. If pet food spills onto the floor, ensure you clean it up immediately to avoid attracting insects.
As it gets dark, try to limit light
Insects are drawn to light, so when it gets dark and we instinctively turn on our interior lights, insects are lured inside. If you wish to keep your windows or doors open and don't have insect screens installed, consider dimming the lights.
Installing fine mesh curtains or blinds on your windows can help keep insects out. Alternatively, close your doors and windows as it gets dark.
Use citronella
Citronella can also be used as a defence against insects entering your home. Available in various forms such as essential oils, diffusers, candles and scent coils, citronella is sold as an insect repellent, primarily for outdoor use in the garden.
The compounds found in citronella oil are capable of masking 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 window sills to help repel flying insects. Consider 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.
One method might not work to keep all flying insects out of your home, so try a combination to see what works best for you.