Flies are starting to die off in September, but the weather is still warm enough that they are still coming into homes so you may seem some crawling about. However, if you are completely fed up with these nuisance insects, then there is a simple way to keep them away without spraying harmful chemicals.
Autumn is when most of us want to be cosy, and one expert from Natran, a eco-friendly pest control company, has shared lighting certain candles is one of the best ways to stop flies. They said: “Burning citronella candles on your patio will help you prevent flies from making their way into your yard. You can also grow citronella plants and rub the leaves between your hands to release their scent and send a message to flies to buzz away.”
Citronella is a natural essential oil that comes from a type of lemon grass, and has a strong citrus scent that smells wonderful in your home.
The strong smell of citronella might smell lovely to humans, but it can be too overpowering for flies so it acts as simple repellent.
It will also mask the scents flies are attracted to, like fruit or damp odours from drains, which stops them coming into homes as they will not be able to find any food.
What is fantastic about citronella candles is that they not only keep flies away, but are powerful enough to keep mosquitoes, gnats and other flying insects away, so you can ensure your home is insect-free.
Place a citronella candle near the kitchen window but keep it away from anything flammable like curtains, and flies should stay out of your home until they completely die off.
However, if you are nervous about lighting a candle in your home, then you can buy citronella sprays for your home or even rub fresh citronella leaves on areas flies are attracted to.
It can also help to use a combination of scents flies are known to hate. They absolutely hate lemongrass, and adding a few drops to a mop bucket before you clean your floor is also known to keep them away.
If you love plants then lavender if one of the best houseplants known to keep pests away since it has such a powerful fragrance. Simply place a plant or a bowl of fried lavender bunches near a window to keep flies away.
Many of us associate the smell of cinnamon with autumn, and it is also known to be effective at overwhelming flies. Simply light a cinnamon-scented candle or place some cinnamon sticks near a window and it should do the trick.
Flies are unlikely to be a problem for long as the weather gets colder, but using a few natural scents is the most effective and cosy way to banish these pesky insects until they die off and return next year.