Britons are reporting their homes have become overrun with flies, with many sharing videos on TikTok of themselves trying to swat the insects away.
Experts say the recent warm weather speeds up a fly's life cycle, allowing populations to explode within days. With the summer holidays in full swing, barbecues, picnics, overflowing bins and sugary drinks have made homes and gardens an irresistible feeding ground.
The problem could get worse because of a recent decline in the number of wasps across the country, which prey on flies.
"I feel like I'm going mad," one person said on TikTok. "They're so jarring. I'm trying to cook and you're swarmed by an army of them in your own home."
Another complained: "These flies are taking the p***. Why are there so many?" A third added: "I think I'm going insane at this point. We can't have the back door open without being swarmed by flies."
Expert tips to deter flies
Gardening expert James Higgins, from Grass247, says there are several simple ways to stop the pests ruining the summer.
His first tip is to use scented candles containing citronella, which helps mask the smell of food while producing an aroma flies dislike. Candles scented with lavender can also help, though Higgins said pet owners should avoid pine essential oils because they can be toxic to dogs and cats.
Another trick is to make gardens more attractive to bees. Higgins said that when people want to get rid of flies, a natural way is to attract other insects, especially ones that are not as bothersome, such as bees, because flies will avoid bees. He said planting bee-friendly plants would help a garden's ecosystem and keep flies away, naming lavender, verbena and catmint as bee-friendly flowers.
Encouraging wildlife such as spiders and frogs can also help, since they feed on flies and other garden pests.
Traps and cleanliness
For a more immediate solution, Higgins recommends hanging sticky fly traps near areas where the insects are most active. Flies often land to rest before searching for food, making the traps particularly effective if replaced regularly.
Flies are attracted to exposed food, overflowing bins, pet waste and standing water, so keeping outdoor bins tightly sealed and clearing away leftover food can make homes and gardens much less appealing to them. Experts also recommend regularly cleaning barbecues and outdoor dining areas to remove food residues.
While flies are mostly a nuisance, they can carry bacteria picked up from waste and transfer it onto food and surfaces, spreading diseases including food poisoning and salmonella.
How to keep flies out of your home and garden
- Light a citronella candle to mask food smells with a scent flies dislike
- Plant bee-friendly flowers such as lavender, verbena and catmint, which attract bees that flies tend to avoid
- Encourage natural predators such as spiders, frogs and some birds, which feed on flies
- Hang sticky fly tape or traps away from seating areas
- Keep bins tightly closed, since the smell of rubbish is a major attraction in hot weather
- Clear away barbecue leftovers, fruit or sugary drinks quickly
- Clean barbecues to remove grease and food residue
- Get rid of standing water in bird baths, buckets and clogged gutters
- Pick up pet waste, a major breeding and feeding site for flies
- Use mesh screens on doors and windows to stop insects following you inside
