My Secret to Keeping Bugs Away Is Hiding in Your Wallet

There’s always a moment in summer when I hit my limit with flies. You know the one — when you just can’t get rid of them and they stop being an occasional nuisance and start acting like they pay rent. For me, it usually happens when I attempt to enjoy a quiet moment on the patio, only to be bombarded by a chorus of buzzing wings and a few bold ones that dive-bomb my forehead the second I open the door.

After cycling through citronella candles, sticky traps, and even those zapping bug lights (no thanks), I wanted a fix that was simple, budget-friendly, and ideally not full of harmful chemicals. That’s what led me to the fly-fighting trick I now swear by.

And the secret weapon? Pennies.

The penny trick involves hanging clear plastic bags filled with water and pennies near doors, windows, or outdoor gathering areas as a low-effort, zero-dollar DIY fly repellent.

Like any person in dire need of a solution, I turned to the internet. One Reddit thread talked about hanging bags of water near doors and windows to repel flies. The theory? Light refracts through the water and confuses their compound eyes. Then I remembered reading about using disco balls to reflect light and ward off pests, and I had a light bulb moment: What if I combined the two?

I didn’t have a disco ball (though it’s now on my patio wish list), but I did have a few pennies. According to what I found online, anything that reflects or refracts light — like copper or water — can disorient the flies. As odd as it sounded, I was willing to give it a shot if it meant reclaiming my patio and kitchen. 

I didn’t need much to try this hack — just a clear sandwich-size plastic bag, some tap water, and a handful of pennies. If the coins looked dull, I gave them a quick shine with a little vinegar and salt. Then I sealed the bag tightly and hung it using a clothespin in the spots where flies always seemed to gather. I put one by the front door, one on the balcony railing, another above the small table where I eat dinner outside, and one near the kitchen window. It was quick, easy, and surprisingly satisfying to hang them all up.

Did it banish every fly forever? No. But it dramatically cut down the chaos, and the usual buzzing and flailing that accompanied my evening routine was gone — without chemicals, zapping, or any ongoing expense.

Some people swear by it; others don’t buy it. But for me, it’s become my go-to summer trick. It’s easy, nontoxic, and honestly, kind of fun. People constantly ask, “What’s in that bag?” and I get to launch into my penny spiel. Now, whenever I visit a friend’s backyard or go on a picnic, I toss a few polished pennies into my bag just in case.

So next time you’re swatting away flies mid-salad, check your wallet. You might be carrying the easiest summer hack you’ll ever try.