As Britain swelters in a blistering heatwave that could see the mercury soar beyond 40C, increasing numbers of people are eager to dine outdoors. But anyone who has enjoyed a meal outside in hot weather knows all too well how quickly flies and other insects can descend and ruin the occasion. Fortunately, there is a straightforward trick that can help ward off these unwanted pests – and most households will already have the ingredients to hand.
According to Keely Smith, interior designer at JD Elite Interiors, flies are “incredibly sensitive to scent.” She suggests pushing cloves into lemons, as the pairing produces a smell that flies simply cannot stand. “The combination of lemon and cloves throws off their senses and makes the area smell too intense and confusing for them to stick around,” Smith told Ideal Home.
“As UK braces for 40C heatwave, interior designer Keely Smith advises putting cloves in lemons to repel flies.”
While this method can prove effective indoors, it can equally help keep flies at bay when entertaining outside. Simply place the clove-studded lemons on your table to deter flies from buzzing around your food. Bear in mind, however, that you may need to increase the number of lemons used to combat the heat, positioning them directly beside the main serving dishes where flies are most likely to land. Smith offered a word of caution: “You’ll need to refresh the lemon often, once every few days, to keep the scent working. Once it dries out or starts to rot, you’re not repelling flies anymore – you’re actually inviting them in.”
This comes as specialists tackled the age-old heatwave dilemma of whether windows should be kept open or shut. According to the experts, this largely depends on how the temperature outside compares to conditions inside your home. The specialists at SCI Windows say: “There is lots of advice available on the internet, but the general rule is: open the windows if house temperature is greater than outside temperature. Otherwise keep them closed to keep the cool air inside, as long as possible.” They suggest keeping windows open overnight where possible, as well as first thing in the morning before temperatures begin climbing once more. “Letting air circulate around the house is easily the best method of keeping inside temperatures down. By doing this, you should be able to create a flow of air, then cold air can be pushed through each room.”
With the hottest June day ever predicted, a few cloves and lemons might be all that stands between a peaceful al fresco meal and a swarm of flies.