Houseflies are a common problem in summer, but there’s a simple home remedy that could help keep them out of your kitchen.
With summer upon us, most people are gearing up for their holidays or looking forward to lazy days spent soaking up the sun. However, now is actually the perfect time to give your home some attention.
One major problem that crops up during this time of year is houseflies, and last year our Lifestyle reporter, Katherine McPhillips, uncovered a straightforward trick to banish them from your home for good.
She revealed: “In July 2025, I started to have a really bad fly problem in my kitchen, and nothing I did seemed to get rid of the annoying pests. I thoroughly cleaned my bin.
“I did not have any fruit sitting on my countertop, and I even set out vinegar fly traps, which helped a little, but the pesky insects kept appearing.
“I was getting really frustrated as I was having to keep my windows shut despite how hot it was, but I did not realise that it was my sink drain that was encouraging them to come into my home.”
Why check your sink drain in summer?
Flies are drawn to food waste, which is why cleaning your bin is usually the first piece of advice given when they become a nuisance – but sink drains are equally prone to food debris on a daily basis.
Many households don’t realise just how much food residue goes down the drain during washing up, and flies have incredibly sharp senses, enabling them to detect decomposing matter even from outside your home.
If your sink drain hasn’t been properly cleaned recently, flies might be particularly attracted to it during warmer weather. The warm, damp environment offers an abundant food source for them to thrive.
Addressing a fly issue promptly is vital, as neglecting it can lead to eggs being laid and a full infestation continuing throughout the summer.
Fortunately, there’s no need to dedicate substantial time to clearing drains or spending money on specialist products – simply tipping boiling water down the drain has shown itself to be a remarkably effective solution.
How to keep flies out of your home in summer
The technique itself is incredibly simple: boil a full kettle and cautiously pour the hot water down the drain each night before going to bed.
Carried out daily throughout July and August, this 30-second habit proved exceptionally effective, removing fly issues completely and enabling windows to remain open during the day.
The boiling water eliminates any food debris hiding in the drain, removing the smells that draw flies, while also destroying any insects already lurking in the kitchen.
Additional steps included setting up apple cider vinegar traps around the property, replacing bin bags daily, and placing herb plants near windows – flies are known to detest their fragrance.
Having a dog at home meant Katherine was wary of using chemical insect repellent sprays, making this straightforward, natural remedy all the more attractive as a reliable method to keep flies away throughout the summer months.
