How to get rid of flies in the house?
House flies can be extremely annoying  not to mention unhygienic (Picture: Getty Images/EyeEm)  With the weather going from roasting to downpours every day right now, you might have noticed an uptick in bugs in your home. The reason youve probably been plagued by flies as we come into summer is dependent on a number of factors. Firstly, once temperatures rise, fly eggs can hatch in less than half the time it takes normally. Plus, because flies are cold-blooded, if it gets hotter outside theyre inclined to look for shady and moist spots  like your humble abode  to lay their eggs. What that results in is a house full of flies, and as one female can lay up to 900 eggs over a single summer, youll need a way to prevent being overrun. Here are some tips to ensure your home is fly-free (or as close as it can be) this summer. Keep on top of hygiene  While flies in the house arent necessarily a sign of a dirty home, ensuring good hygiene is key to stopping their breeding efforts. Flies typically lay their eggs on moist substances, which means dirty dishes, open bin bags, or any other exposed foodstuffs. Ensure bin bags are tightly tied, and that all food is sealed. Assess where theyre congregating  Because flies thrive on moisture, youll probably find that theyre buzzing around in certain spots where this accumulates. It could be a window that gets a lot of condensation, or a puddle left by a leaky tap. Either way, if you take away their moisture source theyre less likely to set up shop in your house. Use a vinegar solution  If youre anti killing flies, please look away now. This is a tip to trap the insects. Youll need vinegar (apple cider if possible), sugar, and a fruit-scented washing up liquid. Fill a shallow dish with an inch of vinegar, adding in a tablespoon of sugar and dish soap. You can leave this uncovered or cover with cling film and poke holes in the wrap. They should fly into the bowl  attracted by the scent  and be unable to get out. Buy an electric trap  Rather than swatting bugs all day, an electric trap is the best shop-bought method to stop flies in their tracks. Indoor zappers can be bought from most hardware stores. Just ensure you keep them at between four to six feet high and away from windows. This gives you the best chance of catching them. Get advice on pesticides  There are plenty of fly sprays and solutions out there but  particularly if you have pets or kids in the home  its not a great idea to spray them about willy nilly. This is partly because they can be toxic without adequate ventilation or if ingested, and also because there are a number of different types of fly. Some species of fly can become resistant to pesticides, while others may be more susceptible to certain types. If in doubt, speak to a pest control specialist. They will be able to identify the specific issue youre having, and how to do deal with it. For the most part, flies are unhygienic and annoying, but not a severe issue if they buzz in and out. Call in the professionals if you notice swarms of them, though, as it could indicate a bigger pest issue. Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk. MORE : New mum left homeless after B&M wax burner exploded and destroyed flat  MORE : You can now get drunk on ice cream thanks to machine that turns beer into soft scoop