Summer here. Flies there. Unwelcome.
In the UK, we fight house flies, fruit flies, and drain flies. Not just because they’re annoying. They spread germs. Nuisance aside, health is at stake.
I test fly hacks for a living. Recently, my kitchen has been buzzing. So I tried burning coffee grounds.
The method? Simple. Burn leftover grounds in the oven for fifteen minutes. Leave the smoke. Done.
Source: @thehitchcockhouse.
Flies hate the scent. Like humans, they read smoke as danger. Burnt coffee should force them out. Theory.
I tested it. My morning brew. Oven on. Fifteen minutes. Result? A smoking pile. Smelled like a proper café.
Placed it on the worktop. Minutes later. The flies left. Through an open window, I had left just for them.
Three hours. Fly-free zone. Even with the breeze coming through my Victorian terrace windows. Nice.
Then the magic faded. Flies returned.
James Copley of Copley Pest Solutions said it wouldn’t last.
‘Flies rely on smell. Smoke deters. It is not permanent. Remove the attraction, not just the bug.’
He’s right.
Coffee grounds? Short-term fix. Reusing grounds is nice. Getting rid of flies forever? Different story.
The real fix starts with waste.
‘Clean the bins. Don’t just empty them. Flies love scraps. Overripe fruit. Pet waste. Standing water.’
So scrub the kitchen. Store food in sealed jars. Dry the sink. No standing water in bathrooms or kitchens.
Need a physical barrier right now? Try fans. Jenny, our Senior Digital Editor, loves the Zero In Fly Go fan. USB rechargeable. Cheap (£11.90 at Amazon). Blows them away.
Screens work too.
Jason Peterkin of 247 Blalls says retractable fly screens are key.
‘Simple. Physical barrier. Lets air and light in. Keeps insects out. Perfect for kitchens and living rooms where windows stay open.’
Old tricks exist. Citronella candles. Lemon halves with cloves stuck in them. Throw off their senses. Force them out.
Does it matter which trick you pick?
Maybe. But prevention beats cure. Every time.
The coffee smells great though. ☕
