The battle against pesky flies entering your home when you’re simply trying to enjoy some fresh air can be infuriating, but fear not, as there’s a straightforward and natural solution to this common problem. Ditching commercial fly sprays with their harmful chemicals is advisable, as they can contaminate your living space and pose health risks.
Instead, Andre Kazimierski, a cleaning guru from Sophia’s Cleaning, recommends a homemade remedy using cayenne pepper from your kitchen cupboard. He advised: “Mix cayenne pepper with a cup of water to make a simple spray that repels common fruit flies. To be exact, mix one tablespoon of cayenne pepper in two cups of hot water.”
Flies have a keen sense of smell which they use to locate food and navigate, but the potent aroma and spiciness of cayenne pepper, thanks to its capsaicin content, can seriously disrupt their senses.
This not only causes discomfort to the flies but also deters them from sticking around as it obscures the enticing scent of food that usually draws them into our homes.
How to keep flies out of your home this summer.
All you need to do is boil 475ml of water in a kettle, then the water into a bowl. Add one or two tablespoons of cayenne pepper to the bowl and give it a good stir.
To prepare this fly-repelling concoction, allow the mixture to cool completely before transferring it to an empty spray bottle. These bottles are readily available in the cleaning aisles of most supermarkets, but you can also find them at pound shops, garden centres, and hardware stores.
Spritz the solution around windows, doorways, the kitchen and any other areas where flies are known to congregate.
The pungent aroma of the spice will naturally deter flies, helping to keep your home insect-free throughout the summer months.
However, it’s important to note that the spices in cayenne pepper can become airborne after spraying and potentially irritate pets’ eyes, so it’s generally not recommended for use if you have a cat or dog.
But don’t fret, as you can substitute cayenne pepper with apple cider vinegar or even cucumbers as a pet-friendly alternative to permanently banish pesky flies from your home.
