LifestyleLife hacksFlies can be a real nuisance in the summer, but there's one simple trick that could help to get rid of them from your home in just 15 minutes - and it makes your house smell amazing14:54, 26 Jun 2026Flies can be a genuine menace at this time of year. The pesky insects are drawn to virtually every type of food, from freshly cooked meat cooling on the kitchen counter to rotting scraps festering in your bins. Flies aren't fussy, and with the UK recently sweltering in scorching temperatures, most of us have thrown our windows and doors wide open to get some relief - inadvertently rolling out the welcome mat for the little blighters.‌Once a few flies are buzzing around your kitchen, shifting them can feel like a losing battle. They seem utterly incapable of finding their way back out of the window they came in through, instead careering around your entire home in search of an exit. Before long, you're charging after them armed with a can of bug spray, desperately trying to either finish them off or herd them towards an open window before they completely take over.‌However, according to one home expert on social media, you can drive flies out of your home in just 15 minutes using a simple kitchen hack that they apparently "can't stand".‌A video posted on Instagram by home renovations account The Hitchcock House revealed that all you need to do is pop some coffee grounds in the oven for 15 minutes.Flies are repelled by the smell of coffee, so by heating it up and releasing the aroma throughout your home, it'll send them packing — with the added bonus of leaving your home smelling absolutely wonderful to us humans.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌The account revealed: "How to remove the flies from your house this summer. Burn coffee in the oven for 15 mins (can be leftover coffee from your machine). Smells amazing, and the flies hate it."Viewers were left gobsmacked by the trick, with many admitting they had no idea something so straightforward could ward off flies so rapidly. That said, a handful of commenters said the smell of coffee wasn't for them, and wouldn't be giving it a go.One person said: "Definitely trying this today."‌Another added: "Well, I know what I'll be doing tomorrow."A third wrote: "In Kefalonia, they burn espresso pucks at restaurants to repel wasps and flies. And that smells wonderful too."How to keep flies out of your homeIf coffee isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other natural solutions you can turn to in order to keep flies at bay. Certain natural fragrances are well known for being repellent to flies and other insects, so dotting them around your home can prove highly effective.Article continues belowBasil and mint: Flies hate the smell of herbs like basil and mint. The best way to use basil in your own home is to buy a basil or mint plant and keep it by your windowsill. Not only will this deter flies, but you'll have your own supply of fresh herbs to use in cooking.Lavender and marigold: If flies are a problem in your garden, plants like lavender and marigold can help deter them. You can also place these plants near windows and doors to keep them from entering your home.Cinnamon: Another scent flies hate is cinnamon, so placing cinnamon sticks by your windows can help keep flies - as well as many other insects - away from your home.Keeping your living space clean and tidy can also go a long way in discouraging flies. Always ensure food is covered on kitchen surfaces, and use a tightly sealed food waste bin to dispose of scraps safely.If you don't own a food waste bin, biodegradable food waste bags are a great alternative — simply seal the bag and pop it in your general household waste.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Life hacksCleaningFoodViral