UK households are being urged to sprinkle baking soda in their bins this summer to deter flies from entering their home.

While the warmer weather is always a welcome change after months of cold temperatures and rain, it does come with its downsides – one of them being nuisance flies. Opening the windows to allow some fresh air in during the summer months may seem like a good idea, but it does invite house and fruit flies to venture inside. Not only are the big, buzzy intruders incredibly annoying as they flit about, they are also very unhygienic. House flies carry more than 100 different pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, and are known to transmit around 65 diseases. They can also contribute to food poisoning by spreading bacteria, so keeping them out in the summer is key. 

Flies come out of hibernation in the summer in search of warmth, food and a place to lay their eggs, and unfortunately our homes can provide the ideal environment. But there is a natural method you can use to help keep them at bay and that’s where baking soda comes in.

Flies are drawn in by both smell and light, with bins being a particular attraction as they contain food waste which provides a readily available food source and a place for them to breed. Plus, bins can provide a warm and sheltered environment for flies during the summer when temperatures are hotter.

As such, it’s important to ensure you take your bins out regularly as flies are attracted to the food but addressing the smell coming out of your bin is what will help keep flies out in the first place.

Experts say sprinkling baking soda inside the bottom of your bin will help to neutralise unpleasant odours from food waste, making your rubbish much less attractive.

Baking soda also absorbs any excess moisture from any spillages leaking into your bin, helping to keep it dry so it’s less of a breeding ground for flies.

Sloane and Sons Tub Chairs says: “An obvious way to prevent flies from coming into your house is to eliminate attractive scents, particularly from your kitchen bin where decaying food waste can easily provide the perfect fly feast.

“Regularly sprinkle a layer of baking soda at the bottom of your bin before inserting a new bin liner. The baking soda neutralises odours and absorbs any excess moisture, making your bin less appealing to flies.

“For additional repellence, soak cotton wool balls in essential oils such as peppermint or lavender and place them near the bin area. The strong scents serve as natural deterrents, keeping flies away while also freshening up your kitchen space.”

And if you’re keen to strengthen your defences, you can also try turning off exterior lights and closing your blinds or curtains at night to help keep flies at bay.