Can Flies Eat Spicy Food?
WouterOne of the most common questions I get is “Can flies eat spicy food?” While the answer is no, there are ways to prevent insects from eating your food. For one, chili peppers are an excellent natural insect repellent. They contain capsaicin, which causes the skin to emit a strong odor that insects cannot tolerate. In fact, research has shown that capsaicin is an excellent all-natural insecticide. In addition, many foods are high in thiamine, or vitamin B1. This vitamin produces a distinctly yeast-like odor, which turns the skin into a no-biting zone for bugs.
Another common fly repellent is salt. Salt is a good repellent because it makes flies turn away from food. A small amount of salt will keep a fly away. It also helps repel the flies that are attracted to high contrast areas. Using a Bug-A-Salt device (a device that uses granular table salt or other non-toxic projectiles) will help keep flies away from food.
Fortunately, the risk of food contamination is relatively low. A single fly touching down on food is unlikely to infect an average person, and the immune system is effective in repelling most bugs. The risk of contamination depends on where you live, however. In urban areas, there are fewer flies than rural areas. This is largely due to chemicals that help keep the population of urban flies in check.
