Tired of flies, ants or mice invading your home? A very simple hack, which won’t break the bank and will continue to be very low maintenance, will help you keep your house smelling great while keeping the pests and flies away
Minus the scorching heat, summer is the time when flies will happily crash-land on your dinner or into your cup of tea. It’s the season for spiders suddenly popping out of nowhere, like long-lost relatives.
And you’re not alone if you’ve heard the tiny mouse feet scurrying across the floorboards – so instead of being terrified, it’s time to take action.
Bug sprays might seem like the obvious thing to reach for, but they often contain chemicals that hang in the air long after you’ve sprayed, and if you have a sensitive condition, these may not be ideal. Also, most bug sprays smell awful, which is certainly not ideal.
Luckily, there’s a budget-friendly solution, and it’ll set you back just £1.08 from Asda. For those of you who are squeamish or like to be pacifist in your approach to removing unwanted wildlife from your home, this is just the thing. It doesn’t involve traps, poison, or pest control visits, just the use of herbs and houseplants, The Sun reports.
Richard Cale, an expert from Leaf Culture, claimed that where houseflies are concerned, it is better to get rid of them naturally with plants that can stop them coming near your windows.
He said: “If you’re exhausted of annoying flies entering your home, consider adding some natural protections like houseplants. Adding: “Certain plants can improve your living area and also serve as powerful fly repellents.”
While it may seem strange to some, it turns out that certain herbs can produce essential oils that can confuse flies and even be mildly toxic to them. Plants also mask the smell of fruit or any other food scents that attract flies. Having plants on your windowsills makes it more difficult for flies to hunt for food and can easily overwhelm a fly’s sensory organ to keep them away from your pad. Richard says mint and basil will help keep pests and flies away from your home.
Mint
Mint is a fast-growing plant that contains menthol and other pungent oils which can unsettle animals and discourage them from going near your home. Richard explained: “Mint is a plant well known for its fantastic aroma and cooking use. Not only this, it is a perfect barrier for flies and ants. The strong minty fragrance keeps out the insects and makes it an excellent natural pest control solution.”
And you will be happy to know you won’t have to break your bank to find a minty solution. You can now nab yourself a Cool & Refreshing Growing Mint Garden from Asda for only £1.08, making this hack perfect for those on a budget.
Basil
Basil is also great to have in kitchens as it has a strong scent that flies and even mosquitos hate. Basil works to overwhelm the senses of pests, making it difficult for them to navigate.
You can grab basil plants from the majority of supermarkets and while it’ll only cost you £1.50 for a Fresh Living Basil Pot from Sainsbury’s, or Cooks’ Ingredients Medium Basil Pot from Waitrose for just £1.36 any supermarket will have similar plants and pricing with a few penny difference which doesn’t even matter if it keeps the flies away.