The warmer months act as a multiplier for fly populations, allowing them to breed and live free of cold, thus resulting in increasing numbers of flies across the UK.

Now that we’ve entered spring, you can expect to find them in your home.

There are practical measures you can take to deter house flies, such as thorough cleaning, which can get rid of breeding spots, and removing potential areas for flies to lay eggs, as they can reproduce very quickly.

Colette Toman, Interior Stylist at Make My Blinds has revealed 7 clever hacks to keep flies out of your home: 

How to stop flies coming in:

1 – Keep your windows and doors closed. The most obvious way for pesky insects and bugs to enter your home is through open windows and doors.

Keep these shut for a foolproof way to keep flies at bay. If you do need to open them, consider investing in fly screens to keep flies out. 

2 – Limit light. Insects are attracted to light, so if you do have your windows open, make sure your lights are turned off while it’s darker outside.

If this isn’t possible, make sure all blinds and curtains are closed to prevent moths and other flies from entering your home. 

3 – Keep your home clean. This may seem like common sense, but don’t forget to keep on top of cleaning and make sure to clean up any spills and crumbs immediately.

Flies are also attracted to moisture, so it’s also important to wipe up any spillages, even if it’s just water, and fix any leaks. 

4 – Avoid leaving dirty dishes out overnight. 

Flies are attracted to the smell of food, so make sure to wash your dishes right after you use them or pop them straight into the dishwasher. 

Recommended reading:

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5 – Keep food packets sealed. You might have forgotten about the open packet of cornflakes in the back of your kitchen cupboard – but the flies haven’t.

Flies can easily get into open packets and containers, so make sure to seal them tightly with lids or storage clips.

6 – Use essential oils. Some essential oils, such as peppermint oil and lemongrass oil, have a strong scent that can repel flies.

You can diffuse these oils in your home or apply them directly to surfaces.

7 – Keep blinds and curtains drawn.

On hotter days when we need inside air flow, blinds and curtains can help to keep flies out of your home by blocking their access to windows and doors.

They can also help to trap flies that are already inside your home. When choosing blinds or curtains, look for ones that are tightly woven and have a small mesh size. You can also add a fly screen to your blinds or curtains for added protection.

As tensions in the Middle East continue, the Head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said we are heading for “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.”

It stems from the pinch-off of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with Associated Press, he warned that flight cancellations could begin “soon” if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war.

Now, Rhys Jones, a travel insurance expert at Go.Compare travel, has issued his own warning.

He explained: “The suggestion that jet fuel supplies could tighten in the coming weeks highlights how quickly travel plans can be disrupted by global events.

“Having suitable insurance in place as soon as you book can make a significant difference if circumstances change. 

“So, if you’re worried about your summer holiday being affected by the conflict, it’s not too late to get a policy in place and give you peace of mind.” 

Travel insurance provides far broader protection than just medical cover and lost belongings.

If you need to cancel a trip due to bereavement, a deterioration in health or similar circumstances, it can help mitigate the financial impact. 

And if external factors lead to cancellations or disruption to your holiday, it may help you recover some of the associated costs. 

For those with annual policies, Rhys also suggests checking that your policy covers your destination: “It’s easy to assume an annual policy covers every trip and country, but insurers typically group countries into regions, and higher-cost areas may require an upgraded level of cover. 

“Because of higher and more complex healthcare costs, some policies exclude destinations such as the USA, Canada or parts of the Caribbean unless additional cover is purchased.

“Taking the time to check could prevent costly surprises.”   

Other travel checks you should make:

• Length-of-stay limits, as many policies restrict individual trips to 30 or 45 days
• Whether winter sports or specialist activities are included, as these are often optional extras
• Cruise cover, which is usually required for sea-based holidays
• Policy details before departure, to avoid unexpected gaps in protection

And if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened, Birol said that for Europe: “I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of a lack of jet fuel.

Where is going to be affected?

Birol said that for Europe: “I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of a lack of jet fuel.

“The countries that will suffer the most will not be those whose voices are heard a lot.

“It will be mainly the developing countries. Poorer countries in Asia, in Africa and in Latin America,” said the Turkish economist and energy expert who has led the IEA since 2015.

Are you worried about going on holiday? Let us know in the comments

The figures, released by Oxford waste collection experts BusinessWaste.co.uk, highlight the scale of illegal waste dumping in the region, raising concerns about public health and environmental impact.

A total of 109,015 fly-tipping incidents were recorded in the South East in 2024/25.

Of these, 1,923 involved hazardous materials like asbestos, chemicals, oil, or clinical waste, posing significant risks to the environment and public safety.

Mark Hall, an Oxford-based waste collection expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “All illegal waste dumping is damaging to the environment and local community, but hazardous waste is particularly concerning as it contains toxic, persistent, or reactive materials.

“Substances such as asbestos, oils, chemicals, and fuel are not only more toxic but also often require specialist handling and disposal.

“When dumped illegally, they can contaminate soil and water, release harmful particles into the air, and create safety risks for both the public and council workers.”

The South East ranks fourth nationally for hazardous fly-tipping.

The most-affected area was Spelthorne, recording 104 hazardous waste incidents.

In contrast, Adur and Folkestone and Hythe recorded no such incidents.

Mr Hall said: “If you come across any kind of fly-tipping, keep your distance, don’t disturb it, and immediately report it to the council.”