{"id":24771,"date":"2025-05-15T11:19:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T10:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/?p=24771"},"modified":"2025-05-15T11:20:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T10:20:19","slug":"get-rid-of-flies-and-other-pests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/garden\/get-rid-of-flies-and-other-pests\/","title":{"rendered":"Effective, eco-friendly ways to get rid of flies and garden pests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many of us spend the year waiting for summer to come, only to remember its downside- summer pests. From fruit flies overtaking the kitchen to slugs chomping your prized plants, there’s plenty to worry about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While in the past, we might have resorted to more drastic options, such as slug pellets and fly sprays, these are particularly harmful to the bee and butterfly population and are best avoided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of natural methods to deter summer pests without using harmful chemicals. These are all far better for maintaining a healthy environment for yourself and your surrounding wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These effective, eco-friendly <\/a>ways to dispose of summer pests are all relatively low-cost and will help your garden thrive. Interestingly, RHS<\/a> no longer class slugs and snails as pests, as they increasingly recognise the good they can do for gardens and ecosystems. That said, you don’t want your freshly bloomed flora and fauna being shredded. <\/p>

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These eco-friendly ways to deter summer pests, (without a grain of salt in view) should lead to a happier summer for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get rid of flies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

August is slated to be the worst summer months for fruit flies. But with the warmer weather coming as early as late April and early May, this can encourage more of the tiny, brown insects to descend on your garden and kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overripe fruit and rotten food, food scraps in the drain, and fruit scraps in the compost pile are all things that can attract fruit flies in their numbers. So, first of all, give your kitchen a deep clean, including your drains. Wash any fruit and vegetables you bring into the house. This is because they could have sticky produce left on them that will attract fruit flies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t leave out old cups of tea or coffee as fruit flies love anything fermented, like beer or wine. Make sure to thoroughly wash any alcohol bottles before they go into the recycling. <\/p>

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Make sure any kitchen compost bins you have are completely sealed, or if they’re still a problem, you can freeze your compost scraps before you put them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power of peppermint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie<\/a> recommends peppermint oil. \u201cDab a few drops around windowsills and door frames. Bugs hate the smell and will keep well away! If you don’t want to use oils, you could grow mint plants near doors and windows to help deter the flies.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fruit flies are drawn to anything moist, so consider not leaving out cleaning cloths or making sure they’re spotless and dry. If you do have food out, keep it covered. B&M (pictured) has a great range of food covers made from iron mesh and raffia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: B&M<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n