The two- ingredient solution I swear by to keep pesky flies and bugs out of my house – I also NEVER wear yellow
WHO doesn’t love cracking open their windows on a nice summer’s day?
Unfortunately, that refreshing breeze often comes with some pesky flies.
Commenting on a Reddit post, user Vegaisbetter revealed the DIY hack she uses to keep insects from her home.
She explained that certain scents are particularly unappealing to flies and other bugs.
“Citronella and peppermint help as far as property goes,” the poster wrote.
The National Pesticide Information Center broke down the role of citronella in repelling insects.
“Oil of citronella repels target pests rather than killing them,” the experts explained.
“It works by masking scents that are attractive to insects [so they] find it difficult to locate their target to feed.”
Pestco Professional Services explained that the ingredients in peppermint oil overwhelm the receptors of insects and rodents.
“For decades, peppermint oil has served as a potent insect repellent and research has confirmed this fact,” the pesticide specialists wrote.
“When used around entry points in the home and applied via sachets near doors and windows or diffuser or spray, it can help repel ticks, spiders, roaches, moths, flies, fleas, beetles and ants.”
The Redditor also recommended avoiding certain colors of clothing during the summer.
“Avoid wearing bright colors that [insects] might mistake for a giant flower,” she advised.
The poster explained that she “found that bright yellow really attracts carpenter bees.”
According to the experts at Science Oxford, bees are extremely perceptive to different colors.
They revealed that yellows, blues, and UV shades attract bees hoping to pollinate flowers.
The Reddit user listed some other options you can take to deter bugs from your home.
More pest control tips
- Place cloves inside a wedge of lemon and leave it out in your home.
- Spray yourself with a mixture of cinnamon, rubbing alcohol, dish detergent, and water.
- Plant lavender, marigolds, and rosemary in your garden.
- Leave out a bowl of mint in your home.
- Place dryer sheets in your pockets before spending time outdoors.
She recommended keeping your lawn well-trimmed and free of weeds.
The poster also explained why certain drinks may attract more insects than others.
“Avoid carrying sugary drinks outside or clear water bottles,” she wrote.
“They are highly attracted to sugar and if they see water they’ll come to it.”
While insects have been confirmed to be fans of food and drink with high sugar content, they are known to be attracted to smelly water rather than clear drinking water, reports the Honey Bee Suite.