Flies and ants can be a real nuisance, and it’s crucial to keep them out of your home as they are known carriers of diseases, spread bacteria by defecating on surfaces, and can cause food poisoning by contaminating exposed food. While it might be tempting to seal all your windows shut in the sweltering heat or resort to toxic chemical-laden fly sprays, there is a more eco-friendly solution that uses potent scents to deter these pests.
Tracy, a pest control expert from Merlin Environmental, has claimed that citronella “emits a powerful odour” which repels flies and ants and keeps them at bay. She explained: “Citronella candles and citronella oil not only help to repel flies, but are also useful deterrents against ants, mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, and some other insects.” Citronella helps mask any enticing smells that attract flies and ants and is also known to be “overwhelming” for them, so they will likely steer clear of it.
It is also believed that compounds in citronella oil act as a natural insect repellent for both flies and ants, as it irritates them and they will avoid areas with this scent to protect themselves from potential harm.
Citronella candles are a popular choice for keeping these pests at bay, but they’re typically designed for outdoor use.
For indoor protection, Tracy recommends: “[A] diffuser containing citronella can be ideal for indoors, as you do not have to worry about smut building up or the risk of fire.”
She also suggested creating a homemade spray fly and ant deterrent by mixing citronella oil with water.
If you don’t have citronella oil, you can substitute it for peppermint, basil, lavender, cinnamon, clove or eucalyptus oil instead.
Going down the acidic route, Vicky Southern, the founder of EcoGreen Equestrian, claimed that it’s useful to use apple cider vinegar to repel ants and flies.
She said: “Apple cider vinegar is one of the best fly and ant spray ingredients because it is potent – its pungent odour flies detest.”
These pests are highly sensitive to certain scents and will find the smell of apple cider vinegar overwhelming, while its acidity greatly irritates them.
Aloe vera can also keep flies away as it contains aloin, a natural insect repellent which is “brilliant at helping to banish those flies”, according to Vicky.
