Sasha CampbellYou may be surprised that some plants that can help keep flies away are already growing in your yard.
Plants like lavender, basil, catnip, and rosemary have natural oils that repel many pests. Flies and other insects dislike these oils and will stay away from them.
Planting fragrant herbs around outdoor gathering spots can help keep insect pests away. Read on to discover some of the best plants for controlling flies.
1. Basil
Basil is a natural fly-repellent plant. The strong scent of basil leaves deters flies and other pests. Place a few basil plants around outdoor gathering areas or near entryways to your home.
The essential oils are released as you brush by the plant, creating a pleasant aroma that repels flies and mosquitoes.
For the best results, choose a basil variety with an intense scent, such as sweet or lemon basil.
2. Garlic
Garlic is one of the most potent fly-repelling plants. Its strong smell deters flies, keeping them away.
Plant garlic cloves in your garden or containers. You can also make a garlic spray by blending a few garlic cloves with water and other ingredients.
The aroma of garlic will permeate the area, sending those pesky flies away.
3. Catnip
Growing catnip around your patio or yard will also help create a protective barrier against flies and mosquitoes.
Place several catnip plants around the perimeter of your outdoor space. The aromatic oil in catnip, nepetalactone [1], repels insects like flies.
Regularly rub the leaves to release their essential oils for the best repellent effect.
4. Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous plants, such as Venus flytraps and pitcher plants, can help cut down on pesky flies in your home and yard. Their modified leaves trap insects as food for the plants.
These fascinating plants lure flies into their jaw-like leaf traps.
Once an insect lands on the trigger hairs inside, the trap snaps shut. Digestive enzymes then break down the insect, providing nutrients to the plant.
Using carnivorous plants is an eco-friendly way to control flies naturally and sustainably.
5. Eucalyptus
The aromatic leaves of the eucalyptus plant naturally help keep flies, such as cluster flies, at bay.
Therefore, place a few eucalyptus branches in vases around entryways to your home or where flies tend to congregate. The intense fragrance will deter flies from entering the space.
You can crush the leaves to release the essential oils and rub them on your skin. This protects you from lice, mosquitoes, and other insects outdoors.
6. Tansy
The tansy plant may also repel flies in your garden with its fern-like leaves and yellow button flowers. The common tansy contains compounds that many flies hate.
It will also keep away ticks, moths, ants, and more. So, put pots of tansy near outdoor gathering spots, entryways, or compost bins where flies gather.
7. Lavender
The pleasant aroma of lavender is appealing to humans and deters many insects, including black flies. Therefore, plant lavender bushes around outdoor gathering areas, entryways, or compost bins.
Lavender’s essential oils have a pleasant scent that flies tend to avoid. Their natural insecticidal properties make them unappealing to many insects.
8. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a perennial herb with a strong lemon-mint scent. It repels gnats, flies, mosquitoes, and other biting insects.
The thick leaves and strong smell make it difficult for these insects to linger around. They don’t like it, so they move on.
You can crush a few fragrant leaves in your hands and rub them on your skin for a natural insect repellent.
9. Bay Laurel
The bay laurel bush is another fly-deterrent plant. It produces leaves that contain chemicals with insect-repelling properties.
Crush a few bay leaves in your hand to release their aromatic essential oils. Flies and bugs will avoid the area.
10. Chrysanthemums
Some chrysanthemum flowers release a natural insecticide called pyrethrin that repels insects, including flies.
Plant chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) near your home or garden entrances. They help form a natural barrier against flies. The flowers also make a lovely addition to any yard or patio.
11. Marigolds
Marigolds have a strong smell and thick leaves. They create a natural barrier against flies and pests entering your yard or garden.
Therefore, plant clumps of marigolds around the perimeter of gathering areas. You can plant them near doorways leading into your home and anywhere else flies congregate.
The pungent smell will drive flies away to find another location more suitable for their needs.
12. Mint
Place potted mint plants around the patio or deck areas where you can entertain. The aroma will discourage flies from buzzing around you and your guests.
You can also crush a few mint leaves in your hands and rub them on your skin for a natural insect repellent.
13. Pennyroyal
The potent, minty aroma of pennyroyal will also deter flies and other insects.
You can also make pennyroyal spray to protect your room from insects. However, pennyroyal essential oil and extracts can be highly toxic, even to cats and dogs, so use them carefully and properly dilute them.
14. Rosemary
Rosemary’s strong, woodsy fragrance discourages flies. It can be used in several ways, including growing plants around outdoor living areas and entryways.
You can also make homemade rosemary essential oil spray. In a spray bottle, add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to water. Mist it around doorways and windowsills.
The fragrance will make your home cozy and inviting, but not for flies. Moreover, this herb is pet-safe.
15. Sage
The aromatic oils in sage also act as a natural insecticide and repellent.
Therefore, plant sage around outdoor living areas, in your garden, or near entryways to your home. The scent will keep flies and other bugs out of the area.
Plant several sage plants together for the strongest repelling power. Their combined fragrance will have the greatest impact.
16. Wormwood
The bitter herb wormwood contains compounds that can help keep flies and other insects at bay. Growing wormwood near outdoor gathering areas, in your garden, or around your yard may help create a barrier against flies.
17. Lemongrass
Does lemongrass repel flies? Yes, flies hate it!
Lemongrass is a tropical grass with a refreshing lemon-like aroma that naturally repels flies. Its oil contains citral and geraniol, which many insects dislike.
You can plant lemongrass in your garden or in flowerpots to bring indoors. It grows best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.
Place the flowerpots around entryways to your home or where flies congregate. The lemony fragrance will waft through the air, deterring flies.
Lemongrass essential oil can also be diluted in water in a spray bottle and spritzed around the house.
18. Citronella
Citronella is high on the list of common insect-repellent plants. Its sharp, lemony scent repels flies and other insects. To use citronella, plant citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) in your yard.
The tall grass blades contain citronellal [2], the essential oil that gives citronella its distinctive smell. You can crush citronella leaves to release their essential oils and rub them on your skin.
Citronella oil and candles are natural ways to keep flies away from patios and decks. The oil can also be used to make homemade fly spray by mixing a few drops with water in a spray bottle.
Takeaway
These are more than a handful of plants that can help repel those pesky flies from buzzing around your home.
Place a few potted plants around doorways or open windows, and you may enjoy your backyard BBQ or porch hangouts peacefully. A little gardening goes a long way when outsmarting those annoying flies.
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