Plant instantly stops moths and flies entering your home on hot summer nights

A silk moth cocoon light fixture made with real cocoons and moths and a silver metallic pearlescent paint mural designed to evoke the idea of silk moth threads decorate a sitting room designed by Thaddeus Warren of Lushart at this year's Decorator Showca
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The recent heatwave has left many of us tossing and turning in the sweltering night temperatures. However, opening a window for some relief often results in an unwelcome invasion of moths, daddy long legs, mosquitoes and other nocturnal creatures.

Moths are particularly prevalent during the summer months, especially for those living near gardens, grasslands or parks. While they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, serving as food for birds, their presence can be less than welcome when they're fluttering around your light bulbs or munching on your clothes.

Fortunately, there's a simple and cost-effective solution to keep both moths and flies at bay - lavender. This plant, which can be purchased for as little as £2, is loathed by these insects.

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Placing it on your windowsill or just outside your house can deter them from entering. Not only does lavender repel moths, but it's also disliked by flies and beetles, providing a double benefit. Importantly, lavender doesn't harm these creatures; they simply can't stand its scent, reports the Express.

And that means that you can also probably get away with dried scented lavender bags as well, dotted along windowsills during summer, to help keep your insect problem at bay.

There are a few alternatives you can try, too. Moths don't like cedar either, while bay leaves, cloves, rosemary and thyme are all herbs you can buy to help keep the night butterflies at bay as they don't love the smell of any of those either, but cedar and lavender are the best options.

And as we know, flies don't like basil or mint, so if you aren't bothered about moths but still want to keep flies out, basil and mint are the best way to go.