As the weather get hotter, flies become a more common sight - especially around our bins. No matter how thoroughly you clean, the insects always seem to congregate around rubbish.
There are a lot of products available to help get rid of these bothersome pests - but most of them are full of harsh chemicals, and don't smell great either. Thankfully, there's actually a cheap and easy way to keep flies away from your bins using two items you've probably already got in your kitchen cupboards. The trick was revealed by experts at Cleaning Minds United.
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They explained flies are naturally attracted to rubbish due to its strong smell. "The warmer temperatures and increased humidity of summer turn your trash can into a hotspot for flies," they said.
"As garbage ferments, odours become stronger, acting like a beacon to all sorts of unwanted insects. Even if your bin has a tight lid, flies are ingenious at finding their way inside.
"The solution is to make your trash can less appealing without using sprays or traps packed with chemicals. Flies rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food and breeding sites.
"By masking or irritating their nose sensors, you can keep them at bay."
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And that's where two common spices come into play. Cinnamon and cayenne pepper don't smell too strongly to people - but are unbearable to flies.
According to the experts at CMU, cinnamon has a sweet, warm aroma, which is overwhelming to flies. It also has antifungal traits, helping to fight mould and yeast growth that might attract insects.
Meanwhile, cayenne pepper irritates flies' legs, antennae, and mouths. The experts said: "Each time you change your trash bag, sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon and cayenne pepper along the bottom of the bin over a dry surface.
"You can even dust the edges or the lid for extra protection. Just remember, a little goes a long way."
Both spices can be bought from most supermarkets and corner shops for as cheap as 85p - much cheaper than chemical-laden sprays.
Other tips recommended by the experts at CMU include adding a bay leaf or cotton ball soaked in white vinegar to a bin, taking out rubbish more frequently, and wiping it down as often as possible.
They also said particularly strong-smelling scraps like fish or meat should be wrapped in newspaper or a sealed container before being put in the bin.
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