Patio cleaning warning as popular hack can be dangerous, say experts

Imagine this: the sun is shining, the barbecue sizzles away, and your favourite beverage is ice-cold in hand, but there’s a buzzkill – swarms of flies are gatecrashing the party. While the internet is awash with tricks to fend off these winged pests, one viral tip has raised red flags among experts for its potential hazards.

The method, which has taken TikTok by storm, suggests dousing your patio with Pine-Sol and giving it a thorough scrub. Known for its grease-busting and stain-removing prowess, Pine-Sol is a go-to for tough household cleaning jobs.

Its pine scent is key to repelling flies, who can’t stand the aroma. Yet, despite the plethora of videos singing the cleaner’s praises, caution is advised by professionals.

“By using Pine-Sol the exposure to vapour or mist may irritate the respiratory tract and cause serious eye irritation. So you should be cautious of your body being directly in contact with Pine-Sol,” warns Hotsy Equipment Company, a cleaning expert.

For those wary of chemical solutions, alternative fly repellents abound, reports the Mirror.

One such option involves mixing about 30 drops of essential oils with water in your pressure washer’s detergent compartment, then proceeding with your usual clean-up. Essential oils like orange, eucalyptus, citronella, mint, rosemary, or lavender are natural fly foes. Just remember to use this mix sparingly to prevent your washer from becoming slick with oil.

Food is the main culprit for attracting flies to our gardens, so it’s crucial to keep rubbish and compost bins covered. After enjoying a meal outdoors or if your furry friend has been up to mischief, make sure to clean up immediately.

Don’t forget to eliminate any stagnant water, which can collect in empty pots after rainfall.

For those who find these tasks daunting, why not let nature lend a hand? Plant fly-deterring shrubs like basil, marigold, and mint to keep these pests at bay. Alternatively, opt for citronella candles or torches, offering a natural and chemical-free solution to keep flies from crashing your garden party.

However, not everyone is sold on traditional remedies like Pine-Sol. One sceptic commented: “We must have a different breed of flies than we have here, bc the flies don’t care if you scrub your soul with pinesol. they ain’t going nowhere.”

Another person shared their experience: “I scrubbed my house down with pinesol when the flies were bad once. I don’t know that it did anything to deter the flies, but I wanted to leave.”