House flies can be a pest at this time of year, but there is a natural way to repel them – and you may already have the solution growing in your garden
House flies can be a right bother, especially during this season. They have a knack for slipping in through open windows or kitchen doors, buzzing around food and landing where they’re least wanted. Once they’ve invaded your home, getting rid of them can seem like an uphill battle. No one has the time to chase them with a kitchen towel or wave their arms about in vain.
Luckily, there are natural ways to keep them at bay, and one such remedy can be found right in your garden. According to Prevention.com, certain herbs with strong scents can help deter flies and other common pests.
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Basil, lavender and mint are among the most effective, all of which are easy to grow at home and offer additional benefits, reports Leicestershire Live. Basil not only adds flavour to pastas, salads, and homemade sauces, but it also gives off a smell that flies find off-putting.
It’s easy to grow in pots or directly in the soil and thrives in sunny spots. Keeping a small pot of basil on a kitchen windowsill or near doorways can stop flies from entering your home.
Lavender is another herb known for its soothing scent, but it seems that flies find it repugnant. Planting lavender near entrances or along garden borders could create a natural barrier against airborne pests.
Moreover, it attracts bees and other pollinators, making it a beneficial plant for those wishing to support local wildlife. Lastly, we have mint, a herb known for its rapid growth and potent, refreshing scent.
While it’s recommended to grow mint in pots to prevent it from taking over the garden, it’s a useful plant to have near doorways or outdoor seating areas.
It’s particularly effective at deterring flies and other insects, and its leaves can be used in drinks or desserts.
Whilst these herbs might not completely eliminate all flies, they can certainly help reduce the number that gather around your home, and they provide a more pleasant scent than chemical sprays or plug-in repellents.
Adding a few pots or integrating these herbs into your garden borders could make a noticeable difference, especially during the summer months when flies are most active.
Furthermore, they’re easy to maintain, affordable, and offer the added bonus of being handy in the kitchen too.