The Best Fly Screens for Doors: Insect Screens For Homes

Fed up with having flies and insects in your home? A persistent fly that won’t leave your kitchen or living room can be incredibly irritating, especially when you’re trying to wind down in the evening.

With the weather and temperature becoming more varied throughout the year in the UK, flies are now a yearly problem.

We’ve put together our top tips and practical advice to help you banish insects and flies from coming into the house, even in the warmer summer months when you want your doors and windows open. From fly screens to repellents, read on to find out what you can do to keep your home free of flies.

Seal gaps in window frames and around doors

Flies and small insects can enter the home through even the smallest of gaps. So if insects are repeatedly entering your home, it’s worthwhile to check the seal around your doors and windows.

This is true for both older properties and new builds; flies can enter through ventilation holes in newer uPVC windows as well as cracks or gaps in caulk and sealant for windows.

We recommend checking for any gaps in the caulk and seals of your windows and doors, where any insects may enter. This can help to form a first-line defence from flies, mosquitoes, and small bugs from entering your house while your doors and windows are closed.

Keep your home tidy

Flies and insects are drawn to many scents so bins, general spills, fruit and open food is something to keep an eye on.

Ensuring your home is clean and tidy, and paying attention to what attracts flies to begin with, can help reduce the chances of something attracting them into your home.

What attracts flies to your home:

Food waste, rotting produce, and sweet liquids: Food waste and organic debris/rubbish provide flies and insects with food and ideal environments for breeding, making them key attractions for insects in your home.
People: Flies are attracted to carbon dioxide, scented products, body heat, moisture, and sweat.
Pet waste: Ensure all pet waste in and around your home is promptly cleaned.
Other attractions for flies and insects: General rubbish, dirty drains, and other flies.

Use fly repellents

Just as keeping your home clean and tidy can help to reduce the attraction for flies and insects, there are repellents you can use to help keep insects further away.

Repellents can come in the form of mechanical options with plug-in fly, mosquito, and insect repellents being extremely popular. If you’re worried about them releasing overpowering smells, odourless options are available. They are safe to use in homes and can help to repel and eliminate flies and insects.

If you prefer a more natural approach, some plants are effective as fly repellents. Lavender, basil, mint, lemon balm, marigolds, and rosemary all emit strong, pleasant scents that can ward off insects whilst also creating a relaxing, fresh scent in your home.

Basil in particular works well in windowsills and in kitchens as it repels houseflies and fruit flies that can prove a nuisance, particularly in summer months when you want to open your windows to let in a cooling breeze.

Fit fly screens to your windows and doors

If you want to enjoy a fresh breeze through your windows or open doors, without letting flies into your home, fly screens are the best choice for you.

Fly screens are a porous, mesh barrier that allows air to pass through, but prevents flies, wasps, bees, mosquitoes, and other small insects from entering your house.

Fitting quality fly screens is more popular than ever in the UK, with many homeowners now resorting to permanent fly screen additions to their homes. Modern fly screens can be fitted to doors and windows and opened and closed as needed.

If you’re looking to stop insects and flies from coming into your home, here are some of the best options you may wish to consider:

Pleated fly screens

Pleated fly screens function in a similar fashion to pleated blinds. They feature durable, pleated mesh barriers that prevent insects from passing through when opened, but close neatly and practically.

Pleated fly screens are available up to 4m in width with our single screens, and up to 6m with our double screens. They can be fully or partially opened and closed to provide quick and convenient access. This makes them a perfect choice for large doors and openings, including patio doors, conservatory doors, and double doors.

If you love the idea of unwinding in the summer months in your extension or conservatory with the doors open to enjoy a cool breeze and watch the sun setting, but dread the influx of flies and mosquitoes entering your home, pleated fly screens are a perfect choice for you.

At The Shutter Studio, we create made-to-measure pleated fly screens to fit the exact dimensions of your home. See what fly screens are best for your doors.

Distinction Screens - Pleated screen for oversized doors and openings up to 4m wide

Fly screen shutters

Fly screen shutters combine the timeless, chic style of window shutters with the practicality of fly screens, allowing you to enjoy your home in comfort and class.

Fitting discreetly into the shutter frame, fly screen shutters allow you to open and close the fly screens as you see fit, providing unobstructed access to your windows and ultimate convenience during warmer weather, when you want cool air in and insects out.

Find out more about fly screen shutters for your home

The Shutter Studio – Creating comfortable spaces with quality window dressings

At The Shutter Studio, we specialise in crafting high-quality, made-to-measure blinds, shutters, fly screens, and awnings for homes and properties throughout the South East.

Our family-run business has built a reputation for delivering the highest standard of quality and customer service. We help homeowners create their dream spaces that are private, comfortable, and stylish, letting you unwind in peace.

If you’re looking to stop flies and insects from entering your home, we’re here to help. We offer free consultations and measuring services, helping to pair you with the perfect solution for your home.

Speak to our friendly experts today to get started.