I’m a Pest Control Expert – 4 Plants to Keep Flies and Mosquitoes Out of Your Home

A pest control expert has revealed five inexpensive plants that will keep flies and mosquitoes at bay during warm weather.

Britain is enjoying soaring temperatures this week, with many of us keen to get outside and enjoy the long-awaited heat.

5

However, the warm weather is an ideal breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes, meaning your home could be plagued by these pesky critters.

Instead of spraying harsh chemicals in your home to get rid of pests, Adriana Camilleri recommends investing in houseplants that insects hate.

Lavender

5

Adriana recommended buying a lavender plant for your home, as flies and mosquitoes are irritated by the strong smell.

She said: “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 sunny spot, near the entrance to your garden or front door. This will reduce the number of insects that can enter.”

Lavender also contains the oils linalool and linalyl acetate, which disrupt insect sensory perception, making it harder for mosquitoes to find people to bite.

For £4 you can buy a lavender plant at B&Q.

Marigolds

5

Marigolds contain a substance called pyrethrum. This substance affects the nervous system of flies and mosquitoes and can even kill them.

Adriana said: “The marigold is easy to grow in sunny spots and has a scent that repels flies.

“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.”

At Sainsbury’s you can buy a pack of 10 Marigolds for £3.

Polei

5

Pennyroyal has a strong mint scent that repels flies and mosquitoes.

They also contain the chemical pulegone, which overloads the insects’ sensory receptors, preventing them from navigating their environment.

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.

Adriana said: “This plant is an extremely effective insect repellent due to its very powerful, self-releasing oils.

“By planting this low-growing plant under or around other plants and crops in your garden, you provide a naturally acting insecticide that keeps pests at bay.”

You can buy Polei plants for £3.99 on eBay.

Lemongrass

5

Lemongrass contains a high concentration of citronella, which repels mosquitoes.

Adriana said: “This fragrant plant contains citronella oil, a popular ingredient in outdoor candles and most insect repellents for its insect repelling properties.”

You can buy Lemon grass for £11.99 from Amazon.

Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Simply email fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and put EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.