Flies tend to invade homes during the late summer and early autumn months, drawn by the scent of food, rubbish, and warmth as the weather cools. Besides being a nuisance, these pests can carry harmful bacteria and spread illness.
While maintaining a clean home and promptly removing food sources is essential in keeping flies away, sometimes a little extra help is needed. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend much to effectively repel these pests.
Online content creator Jemma recently shared a simple fly deterrent she discovered from her sister. The tip involves using half a lemon studded with cloves—a natural combination that flies find unpleasant. She posted on her @jemma..w account: “I saw this online as a fly deterrent—lemon and cloves. There were four flies buzzing around the dog bowls, and as soon as I put this down, they all left! You can even use a lemon you’ve already squeezed because flies don’t like citrus or cloves.”
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To test the hack, Jemma sliced half a lemon, stuck cloves into it, and placed it outside near her cat’s feeding area—a usual hotspot for flies. She observed that while a fly approached, it did not land and instead flew away every time it neared the lemon and cloves.
Jemma’s experience was echoed by others who have tried the trick and reported success. For just around £1.30—lemons cost approximately 30p and cloves about £1 at supermarkets like Tesco—you can create this natural fly repellent yourself.
The method works best when the lemon is fresh, as the citrus scent fades once it dries out. Replacing the lemon regularly will maintain its effectiveness.
Lifestyle gardener Nancy Birtwhistle shared her experience on the show This Morning, noting, “Flies hate the smell of citrus and cloves.” She added, “My husband didn’t believe it until he saw a fly come in, see this, turn around, and fly out.”
Interior designer Keely Smith explained to Ideal Home that flies are highly sensitive to smell. Lemons emit limonene, a strong citrus compound that disrupts how flies locate food. Cloves contain eugenol, a sharp, spicy scent that flies strongly dislike.
Other natural fly deterrents include herbs like basil, mint, and lavender, which can be placed in pots near doors and windows. Essential oils such as eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass can also help repel flies.
To maximize fly prevention, keep your home clean by removing crumbs, covering bins, and storing ripe fruit in the fridge.