The Herb You'll Want To Keep In Your Kitchen To Keep Flies At Bay

As you're sitting down to dinner, the last thing you want is to be battling flies. Not only is it annoying when they land on your food, but flies are full of germs and spread bacteria every place they go. It makes it worse to think about how their real attraction is rotting meats and trash, and you likely have no clue where they've been. Luckily, there are numerous brilliant hacks to keep insects out of the house. One way to deter flies from your kitchen is to grab a basil plant. While basil is a delicious-smelling herb that livens up dishes, it's also a popular repellent for flies.

You can select several common kitchen ingredients for DIY pest control, a good idea for those who prefer to steer clear of chemical solutions. Flies have an extremely strong sense of smell that lets them detect odors from long distances, which is helpful in their search for food. When it comes to their specific tastes, they detest the pungent, earthy aroma of basil's oils. The smell doesn't actually harm them but instead keeps them from wanting to go anywhere near the source.

There are plenty of ways to get rid of flies, including taking out stinky trash, washing containers, and securing your outside bins. In addition, pick up a basil plant to be kept in your kitchen, or grow it yourself. You'll be able to enjoy its fragrance while it secretly does work to repel these annoying insects. Basil is a low-maintenance herb that loves its sunshine. Place your pot on a kitchen windowsill where it can get about 6 hours of sun, making sure you turn it every few days so that it grows nice and even. Water the plant on a regular basis to keep the soil reliably moist, but avoid making it soggy so it doesn't attract gnats. You can occasionally give its leaves a mist using a spray bottle to maintain the humidity these plants prefer.

Many herbs are known for deterring pests with their powerful scent, including mint, rosemary, and lavender. Basil has been used for a long time, and a lot of people swear by the effects. It's also an inexpensive, non-toxic solution that's safe to have around cats and dogs. If you have a major issue with flies in your kitchen, contacting professionals might be best to get it resolved. Yet, it doesn't hurt to try a basil plant or even a basil-scented candle infused with organic essential oil to keep the flies from inviting themselves to dinner. In the very least, your house will smell amazing.