List of 3 plants will banish flies, spiders and mice from your home – it smells great but pests hate it

The Sun

25-06-2025

IF you're fed up with flies, ants and spiders inviting themselves into your home, fear not, we've got you covered.
There's nothing more irritating than trying to eat your dinner, only to have bugs constantly flying at you, or scurrying across your plate.
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And if you've heard a mouse in your house and aren't sure what to do, here's where to start.
While it may be convenient to use sprays to banish pests, they often contain poisonous chemicals that can linger in the air and irritate you throughout the day.
But now, luckily for you, a pest pro has shared the 'powerful' buys that will banish flies, ants, spiders and even mice from your home in an instant.
And if your wallet is feeling the pinch, don't worry, as these handy buys are super affordable.
In fact, you can pick up one from Asda for just £1.08 - yes, you heard that correctly.
Richard Cale, an expert from Leaf Culture, claimed that where houseflies are concerned, it is better to get rid of them naturally with plants that can stop them coming near your windows.
He said: 'If you're exhausted of annoying flies entering your home, consider adding some natural protections like houseplants.
'Certain plants can improve your living area and also serve as powerful fly repellents.'
While it may seem strange to some, it turns out that certain herbs can produce essential oils that can confuse flies and even be mildly toxic to them.
Additionally, plants mask the smell of fruit or any other food scents that attract flies to homes which will make your home less appealing to them.
Top 3 Hacks to Get Rid of Moths
As a result, having plants on your windowsills makes it more difficult for flies to hunt for food and can easily overwhelm a fly's sensory organ to keep them away from your pad.
Not only can lavender work to banish flies and bugs from your home, but according to Richard, mint and basil will also do the trick too.
Mint
Homeowners struggling with houseflies should know that mint has a cooling yet sharp scent that will stop flies, but can even keep ants, spiders and mice out of homes.
It is a fast-growing plant that contains menthol and other pungent oils which can unsettle animals and discourage them from going near your home.
Richard explained: 'Mint is a plant well known for its fantastic aroma and cooking use. Not only this, it is a perfect barrier for flies and ants.
Why do flies come out in summer?
Flies are present all year round, but all of a sudden when summer comes, they are just EVERYWHERE!
The main contributing factors are the breeding cycle of flies and the soaring temperatures.
Insects are cold blooded and in summer, when their body temperature rises from the external heat, they become more active.
The hotter weather also let's them seek out cool moist spots, like inside your home, to escape from the sweltering heat and to lay their eggs.
House Fly eggs take around 20 hours to hatch, but when the temperature rises above 37 degrees, can hatch within 8 hours!
In extreme hot weather the eggs can mature from larvae to adult fly in as little as four days.
The average lifespan of a housefly is 21 days, so each female can lay up to 900 eggs during the summer months!
'The strong minty fragrance keeps out the insects and makes it an excellent natural pest control solution.'
If you want to say goodbye to pests for summer, you'll be pleased to know that you can now nab yourself a Cool & Refreshing Growing Mint Garden from Asda for only £1.08, making this hack perfect for those on a budget.
Basil
Not only this, but basil is also great to have in kitchens as it has a strong scent that flies and even mosquitos hate.
Basil works to overwhelm the senses of pests, making it difficult for them to navigate.
Richard shared: 'Basil is known for its powerful scent and ability to repel flies and mosquitoes.'
As a result, he advised: 'Place basil in sunny areas such as kitchen windowsills or outside patios where flies are a typical problem.'
You can nab basil plants from the majority of supermarkets and while it'll only cost you £1.50 for a Fresh Living Basil Pot from Sainsbury's, you'll also find a Cooks' Ingredients Medium Basil Pot from Waitrose for just £1.36 thanks to a recent offer - so if you've not got a lot of cash to splash, this affordable trick is one you'll need to try.
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.