The UK is heading towards a heatwave, and many of us will be excited for the warmer weather. And when we're not outside, opening the windows and doors in the morning can help to freshen things up, ready for the day.

While it's something to look forward to, it does also cause some issues. Flies become a really common problem in summer, so many people will be looking for ways to keep them away from your home. To help combat the issue and keep your home fly-free, Neil Mckenzie, home safety expert at Halton Stairlifts, has shared a simple way you can prevent flies from swarming your home this summer.

According to the expert, all you need to keep flies away from your home is a lemon and some cloves. Neil says this acts as a "perfect instant and short-term solution" to banish the annoying pests.

Slice a lemon in half and place 10-15 whole cloves into the flesh. If you want to prevent flies from coming into your home, place these lemon halves in egg cups dotted around key points in the home, like fruit bowls or windows.

The lemon juice mixed with the oil in the cloves is said to create a potent aroma that flies can't stand. It's a much safer alternative than other harmful chemical repellents like insecticides.

You should replace these when the lemon dries out after around three to five days.

Alternatively, if you want to eat outdoors and keep flies away from your food, you can activate this method with heat to make it more effective. Simply follow the same steps, but light the cloves until they smoulder, to create a protective field around you and your meal.

Another way to deter flies from wanting to enter your home is by using a peppermint oil and white vinegar solution.

To make this, mix one cup of water, one cup of white vinegar, a few drops of peppermint oil and a drop of dish soap in a spray bottle. Use this on door frames, window sills, outdoor tables and indoor counters or anywhere else that a fly would travel or land.

It's important to note that this solution is a repellent, not a killer, don't spray it directly on the insect. Also, be aware that peppermint oil can be toxic to dogs and cats, so it's important to avoid spraying this near them.