Pest controller swears by £1.99 purchase to banish flies and mosquitoes from your home
Are you tired of flies and mosquitoes invading your home? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place.
For many people, summer is a time when they want to relax in the sun and enjoy the warm weather. But there is nothing more annoying than having pests buzzing around and sitting in your face.
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Flies and mosquitoes are especially common during the summer months, as this is the ideal breeding temperature.
In addition, there are fewer food sources available during this season, making them more likely to enter homes in search of something to eat.
And if you don’t want these insects flying around your kitchen and landing on your dinner, don’t worry. We have just the right solution for you.
It turns out that certain houseplants can keep flies and mosquitoes at bay. And one will only cost you £1.99.
Adriana Camilleri, a pest control expert at Hoselink, says that using plants to repel flies and mosquitoes is not only effective, but also an environmentally friendly and safe way to prevent insects from entering your home.
She said: “When combating these pests it is important to understand why they stick around.
“They are not trying to bother us on purpose, they are just doing what they normally do.
“If we know which plants these insects don’t like, we can gain valuable knowledge to keep them at bay.”
Lavender
According to Adriana, many people love the smell of lavender, but for insects it’s a different story.
The pest control expert revealed that the beautiful purple flower, known for its very pleasant scent, is highly irritating to flies and mosquitoes.
Adriana explains: “Lavender has a calming effect that people have loved for centuries, but the opposite is true for insects.
“To get the most out of lavender’s potential, we recommend planting it in a very sunny spot, near your garden entrance or front door. This will reduce the number of insects that can enter.”
This beautiful plant contains the oils linalool and linalyl acetate, which disrupt the sensory perception of insects.
Common garden pests
Common garden pests are no cause for alarm. If you can identify them, you can work to remove them and prevent them from coming back.
Aphids (green aphid, black aphid)
Aphids are very common and can affect the growth of plants. They have small soft pear-shaped bodies and are usually green or black. You can find them in clusters on the stem of soft shoots – look especially under leaves – or you can find a sticky substance on your plants that betrays that aphids have been there sucking the sap.
White fly
These small white-winged insects are related to aphids, only 1 or 2 mm long, and look very similar to white moths as adults. They can be found on the underside of leaves, preferring younger, fresher leaves. They fly in clusters when disturbed. Their life cycle is only three weeks long, meaning that an infestation can occur very quickly.
Snails
An unmistakable, clumsy-looking body plus small sensory tentacles on its head. Slugs propel themselves forward on a single, muscular leg. They range in size from surprisingly small to frighteningly large; limax cinereoniger species can easily exceed 20 cm in length.
Caterpillar of the cabbage moth
The caterpillars of the cabbage moth are happy to penetrate into the heart of the vegetable. The caterpillars are recognizable by their yellow or brown-green hues and are hairless.
Mealybug
Mealybugs are small oval insects with a white, powdery wax coating. There are several species, many of which have what appear to be legs coming out of their sides and back. In their earliest stages of life, it is quite possible to mistake them for fungi and not recognize them as insects at all.
Lavender is best planted near access points such as windows or doors to keep pests away. It is also best planted near a doorway or under a window in the garden.
If you don’t have a lavender plant yet and are looking for one that isn’t too expensive, you can buy one from Dobies for just £1.99.
Marigolds
Not only does lavender work wonders, but marigolds are brightly colored flowers that are also a natural insect repellent.
These beautiful flowers contain a substance called pyrethrum. This substance affects the nervous system of flies and mosquitoes and can even be fatal if they come too close.
Adriana advised: “The marigold is easy to grow in sunny places and has a scent that repels flies.
Tips to keep pests out of your garden
- Plant plants like peppermint to repel rats.
- Place Garden Net Pest Barrierover your flower beds.
- Fill open containers with beer and place them in the ground to repel slugs.
- Spraying plants with Neem oilto repel ants, flies and spiders.
- Sprinkle your flower beds with Diatomaceous earth.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, 10 drops of peppermint oil and 4 cups of water and spray this on the flower beds.
- Place eggshells around your plants to protect them from slugs.
“Gardeners have been known to plant marigolds among crops and other foliage to deter insects from eating them, as well as because of the plant’s unique growth-enhancing properties.”
Marigolds are generally considered safe for cats and dogs, but pet owners should be aware that these flowers are mildly toxic if eaten and can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Keep them out of reach of your furry friends.
Lemongrass
And if that wasn’t enough, Adriana shared that lemongrass will also keep insects away from your home this summer.
Keep pests out all summer long
IF you want to ensure your home is pest-free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil. Spray it liberally on your patio or balcony to keep them at bay.
Moths – Acidic household vinegar is effective in repelling moths. Soak some paper towels in vinegar and leave them in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – Herbs and spices such as cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves or garlic have a deterrent effect.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil scents can help repel mosquitoes from inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
According to the pest controller, lemongrass is perfect for repelling insects because it contains a high concentration of citronella, one of the strongest substances that deter mosquitoes.
Adriana shared: “This fragrant plant contains lemongrass oilwhich is a popular ingredient in outdoor candles and most insect repellents because of its insect repelling properties.”
Citronella makes it harder for mosquitoes to detect whether they bite. The pleasant smell also keeps flies away.
It is best to plant the plant in an outdoor seating area and near a terrace, but if you keep it as a houseplant, it is advisable to keep it in an open space. next one in front of a window to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
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