Flies and maggots can be a real problem in the summer, but there is a simple trick to help deter them from your wheelie bins - and it doesn't involve vinegar or baking soda11:21, 05 Jul 2026Updated 11:26, 05 Jul 2026While many of us enjoy summertime for the lovely weather and long days, there are some drawbacks. For one, it can feel like pesky insects are always around ruining our fun.‌Hot weather and humid conditions create the perfect breeding ground for all manner of creepy crawlies, from ants to mosquitoes. While some insects, such as bees and butterflies, are a welcome presence in our gardens and ought to be encouraged, others are an absolute menace and can make our lives a misery - flies in particular.‌Flies are drawn to rotting food and other waste, which is commonly found lurking in our wheelie bins. It only takes a couple of flies landing and breeding on your rubbish for your bin to become overrun with maggots that will eventually develop into yet more flies, leaving you with a stomach-turning problem on your hands.‌However, according to one life hacks expert on social media, there is a straightforward solution to keep flies, and therefore maggots, away from your bins once and for all this summer.The man, who runs an Instagram account sharing life hacks and household tips under the name "dad hacks", recently posted a video claiming that placing two everyday kitchen items in your bin could ensure you "never deal with flies or maggots again".Content cannot be displayed without consent‌He said: "Most people forget about their trash cans until they're infested with bugs, but you can stop this from happening before temperatures get hotter. Grab cayenne pepper and cinnamon from your spice cabinet."Simply dust both the cayenne pepper and cinnamon into the bottom of your wheelie bin, kitchen bin, food waste caddy, or any other spot that tends to attract flies. Then, place your bin liner in as usual, and refresh with new spices each time you swap out the liner.The housework whiz continued: "The capsaicin in the cayenne pepper irritates the fly's senses and drives them away. The cinnamon stops them from laying eggs altogether."‌Capsaicin is the fiery chemical compound found in chilli peppers that gives them their spicy taste, and its powerful odour overwhelms a fly's sense of smell. Landing on cayenne pepper can also sting a fly's tiny feet, sending them fleeing and keeping them well away from the area.Cinnamon works similarly, overpowering a fly's senses through the potent natural oils it contains. These compounds are also naturally toxic to insects and can disrupt their nervous systems.How to keep flies out of your homeThere are plenty of 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 these herbs. The best way to use basil at home is to buy a basil or mint plant and keep it by your windowsill. Not only will this deter flies, but you'll also have your own supply of fresh herbs for 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.Coffee: If you have flies buzzing around your kitchen, then you can use coffee grounds to get rid of them. Roasting coffee grounds in the oven for 15 minutes can release an aroma that's pleasant to most humans but repels flies.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 your council hasn't implemented food waste bins yet and you don't have your own, biodegradable food waste bags are a great alternative - simply seal the bag and pop it in your general household waste.