Flies are a nightmare to deal with – especially when you’re trying to enjoy a summer BBQ. But one gardening expert claims that his trick will help to shoo them off – and it’s very easy to do
There’s nothing worse than countless flies swarming around you, while you’re trying to enjoy a summer BBQ.
If their constant buzzing wasn’t already enough to put you off dinner, these pesky insects aim to land on your food and vomit on it, with the liquid breaking it down into something they can actually consume themselves.
But fear not, Chris Bonnett – the boss at Gardening Express – claims to have a quick trick up his sleeve that will keep these blue bottles at bay – and it involves a couple of surprising objects. “The sun is finally coming out for a few days so it’s no surprise that everyone will want to make the most of it,” he said.
“Those that love a good BBQ will know how annoying it can be when you’re having to ward off flies and bugs away from your food and guests. One of my favourite ways to keep bugs away at a BBQ is by using pennies and water.”
Filling up a few glasses with water will do the trick for this, according to Chris, who then suggests dropping a couple of copper coins into each. These should be placed around the BBQ area or anywhere that you are eating food outside.
Bizarrely, Chris claims that the sun’s light will be reflected on the pennies and water. In turn, this will work to confuse the bugs – with the pennies thought to resemble another insect’s eyes – scaring them away from the area with food.
He added: “Of course you can use bug spray but let’s be honest, no one wants that near their food either… I find this works best if you dot a few glasses across the table where you’ll be eating as well as near the BBQ where you’re cooking.”
Burning citronella candles is another trick that Chris also recommends to shoo flies away. The oil of citronella is the product of distilling two types of grass, and works as a natural repellent for mosquitoes and gnats too.
Wasps certainly hate the smell as well, and will also be deterred by vinegar, coffee grounds and even sliced cucumber – so, remember to whip these out when the stingers are getting on your nerves.
Chris added: “Bugs hate citronella so go ahead and light a couple of citronella candles around your seating area and the flies will definitely stay away This is especially effective in deterring mosquitoes making it a really good solution for when you’re relaxing in the garden as the sun goes down.”
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