With the warmer weather finally arriving, many of us are doing our bit for the environment by regularly using our food waste caddies. However, rising temperatures can sometimes bring some unwanted visitors to the kitchen: fruit flies.
The good news is that with a few simple, everyday habits, you can keep your caddy perfectly fresh and entirely fly-free. Here are our top tips for a clean kitchen this summer:
- Wash fruit straight away - microscopic eggs can sometimes hitch a ride home from the shop on fruit skins. Giving your fresh produce a quick wash as soon as you unpack your shopping helps stop them in their tracks.
- Utilise the fridge - during the hottest months, keeping high-risk treats like bananas and melons in the fridge prevents eggs from developing.
- Keep it dry - moisture is a fly’s best friend. Line the bottom of your caddy with a piece of old newspaper or cardboard to absorb any excess liquids.
- Sprinkle some bicarb - bicarbonate of soda is a natural wonder. A quick sprinkle at the bottom of the bin will neutralise acidic odours before they can attract pests.
- Try the freezer trick - for particularly wet or smelly food scraps, pop them into a container in the freezer and only transfer them to your caddy on collection day.
- Scent away the pests - flies absolutely detest the smell of peppermint. Dab a few drops of peppermint essential oil around the rim of your caddy to act as a brilliant, fresh-smelling deterrent.
By making these quick tips part of your kitchen routine, you can keep recycling your food waste confidently and comfortably all summer long!
