Best houseplants to banish flies this summer - and without a chemical in sight

With summer now officially just around the corner, more and more of us will be heading out into the great outdoors to relax and unwind while making the most of the improved weather. Yet while beach days, lawn picnics and long sun-soaked strolls are likely to become the highlight of our days, the season also brings with it an influx of flies and other flying insects as they seek to invade our homes.

The pesky critters can be an infuriating annoyance at best and a painful pest at worse, but before you go reaching for a traditional insecticide to eradicate them once and for all, you may want to consider one of nature’s very own pest control solutions, as plenty of easy to grow plants can quickly rid you of flies in no time at all.

From the carnivorous venus fly trap through to household herb basil, there’s no shortage of options to help keep your home bug free.

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Here, we take a closer look at some of the most commonly used plants to repel flies from your home…

Basil

One versatile all rounder that many homeowners may want to consider, is the humble herb basil. Often better known for making a tasty addition to meals, it actually boasts a unique property of being able to deter both flies and spiders due to its strong aroma and oil.

Lavender

Another good option to consider is lavender, which has long been regarded as an effective bug repellant on everything from flies to beetles and even fleas! The purple flowered plant is also hugely aesthetic too and can easily be worked into several decor styles for a touch of country cottage chic.

Lemon Balm

When it comes to kitchen staples, another popular choice for elevating a dish is the citrusy flavour of lemon balm, but did you know it also doubles a highly effective insect repellant too? The plant’s potency comes from its high levels of Citronella, a compound that’s naturally present in the oil the plant produces. Known to ward off everything from spiders to flies and even mosquitoes, a well placed plant in the home could help to keep your entire house bug free this Summer.

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Rosemary

Another common herb that doubles as a natural bug repellant is the unassuming rosemary plant. Often known for its flavour rather than its scent, Rosemary is only mildly scented to the human nose, but has a far more potent aroma for insects making it the perfect plant to ward off spiders, flies and irritating gnats.

Marigold

One popular choice that is frequently a staple of allotments everywhere, is the common marigold, which was traditionally planted by keen gardeners to protect their plants after it was discovered that it boasts several pest control properties. Well known for its vivid orange and yellow flowers, the scent of a marigold while pleasant to humans, can actually deter flies, gnats, mosquitoes, flies and even spiders!

Venus Fly Trap

One of the most brutal of plants to clear your home of flies, is the aptly titled venus fly trap, which sits patiently with its head open waiting for unsuspecting flies to land within its ‘jaws’ which promptly clamp shut. After luring the flies to their doom with a sweet dose of nectar, the plant then begins to release an enzyme which digests the fly.

Although it sounds a little morbid, the plants can actually prove to be a highly effective solution to tackling flies in the home, as the easy to grow venus fly trap is capable of surviving up to 20 years when properly cared for, meaning a constant fly catcher is likely to be on hand for many years to come.