Nothing is more annoying than having a fly buzzing around when you are trying to enjoy a meal. There are plenty of bugs that cause minor annoyances, but the most unhygienic of all is the common fly. Not only do the land everywhere you don’t want it to be, but they also spread germs prolifically.
Did you know that flies even defecate every time they land? Yuck! No matter where you are, what season it happens to be, or where in the world you live, flies are a serious problem that most people would love to eliminate. There are a few ways to get rid of flies from the immediate area such as burning a candle or spraying an insecticide.
Traditional methods are mildly effective, but they are not healthy over long periods.
Instead, consider using a natural cure that will banish flies in addition to other flying insects at the same time. You can be free of flies, mosquitoes, and other buzzing bugs with a few well-chosen plants and a few preventative measures.
Of course, keeping your home and garden clean is a great way to start, but even then, planting some of the greenery on our list will banish pesky flying insects for good.
Can You Really Repel Pest & Flies With Plants?
Contrary to popular belief, you actually can control pests through natural methods such as plants. There are not that many specifically able to repel flies, but there are a few.
Some of the plants on our list may surprise you, and a couple may already be in your yard. Others will make attractive additions to your home, yard, or garden while also helping to cut down on flies.
Plants are able to repel certain pests either through aromas or through their oils. We will give you several suggestions that cover both options, so you can enjoy your home and garden without having to deal with pesky flies.
Sweet Basil Plants
The smell of basil has the ability to chase away flies. Fresh basil, cut basil, and even dry basil has sufficient aroma to keep your home free from these flying pest. Most often basil is grown in pots that live on the patio or in the kitchen, it is easy to incorporate this natural remedy.
Consider adding a bit of basil to your flower arrangements, near your doors, and close by any open windows. This will discourage flies from coming inside your home anytime they get a whiff. If you grow root vegetables, tomatoes or squash, you can help keep flies at bay by planting a few tufts of basil in the rows. You can also plant them near your roses bushes to help ward off flies during the spring blooming season.
Another bonus is that you can cook with basil and add it to teas as well. It does tend to flower, but simply pinch off the buds before they bloom. This will ensure that the leaves retain their pungent aroma. You can buy a new plant every year, but in warmer climates, it will re-seed itself.
Mint Plants
Mint plants are some of the go-to options for pest control. These highly aromatic plants are the bane of insects, rodents, snakes, and other pests. The tangy aroma repels pests long before they ever make it to your home.
If you are looking for a fresh way to banish flies, plant mint in pots or around the edges of your home or garden. You can also extract the oil and make a spray that can be used both indoors and outdoors for on the spot fly control.
Mint is safe for consumption and safe for the skin. You can spray or rub the oil on your skin to keep flies and other pests away when you are hiking, camping, or even enjoying a day at the park. The more sun the plant receives the better the concentration of aromatics it will produce, so keep that in mind when choosing where to plant your mint.
Pitcher Plants
Pitcher plants are a great way to get rid of flies that happen to make it through your other defenses. These plants feast on flies, mosquitoes, and even small vermin. The pitcher plant has an attractive look that will create charm and character in any garden.
They mostly need occasional watering since they feed themselves on insects and pests that are courageous enough to wander into your garden. The plant attracts pests with a unique aroma and an attractive U shaped pitcher full of nectar.
When a fly or pest lands or otherwise try to get a meal, it turns into food for the pitcher plant instead. You can plant it outdoors or indoors in a pot, but just make sure it receives a generous amount of sun and moderate watering.
Bay Leaves Plants
Bay leaves have been used in cooking for centuries and they have also been used as pest control for an equal amount of time. In the past, bay laurel leaves were placed in closets, cabinets, drawers, and other places to keep pests at bay.
Mice, weevils, spiders, and even flies hate the smell of bay leaves. You can collect dried or fresh leaves and make sachets to hang near your doors and windows to keep flies from coming inside. The bay laurel plant is evergreen and grows to be quite large. If you have a large yard, planting a tree will make an aesthetically pleasing addition to your property.
You can also keep a young bay tree in a large pot on your porch or in your garden until it is large enough to be planted in the ground. Even live bay trees are able to repel flies and other insects all year long. Just avoid exposing this plant to very cold temperatures or frost.
Venus Flytrap Plant
If you want to do more than ward off pesky flies, consider adding the Venus flytrap to your home garden. This plant loves acidic soil that drains well. You will need to ensure that it gets a moderate amount of sunlight, but avoid fertilizing the plant.
It eats flies, mosquitoes, and basically any insect that is small enough to fit in its trap. It will even eat spiders if they are brave enough to tempt fate. When the fly lands inside of the plant, the leaves snap shut trapping the bug where it will get digested and turned into nutrients for the flytrap plant.
You may need a few of these since they will not open until whatever they trapped has been digested. This process can take as long as a week, but can also finish as early as three days.
Lavender Plants
If you are looking for an attractive way to get rid of pesky flies and add some color to your home or garden, lavender is a great option. Lavender plants are extremely aromatic and offer a host of benefits.
The smell is attractive for humans and can even create a calming effect with its gentle aroma. The same scent is a natural repellent for flies, spiders, mosquitoes, and other pests. They grow well in hot climates and need well-draining soil in order to thrive.
You can plant lavender outdoors in your garden, around your property, or even in pots inside of your house. Dried lavender and lavender oils are also effective in keeping insects at bay.
Rosemary Plants
Rosemary plants are evergreen in nature which makes them an attractive choice for both pest control and home decoration. Mature plants can grow as high as four feet tall so keep that in mind when planting or potting.
They will live a long time so long as it gets plenty of sun and is potted in well-draining soil. Rosemary has a very strong scent that is pleasing to human senses but very irritating to flies and other insects.
You can rub the leaves or even dry them and place them around your home to keep insects out of important areas. You can also plant rosemary bushes in your garden to keep out unwanted insects and pests from your garden.
Pennyroyal
The last plant on our list is the most potent. The Pennyroyal plant is very beautiful and often chosen as much for its aesthetic appeal as its repellant properties. It is strong enough to banish almost every type of biting or flying insect in the vicinity. It is also a strong repellant for mice.
It is toxic for both animals and humans. Some cultures ingest the pennyroyal plant as part of various herbal treatments, but it is critical that this only be done under the care of a doctor.
In addition to the plant, you can cut leaves or stems and rub the seeping oils on clothing. These aromatic oils can keep insects away for as long as 48 hours as long as the fabric is not washed. You can hang cuttings in sachets in various areas of your home or even in your garden.
When planted in the garden, not only will it keep flies away, it will also repel most plant-eating bugs and pests as well. It grows slowly and gets along well with other plants making it a perfect protective companion for any yard.
