Growing basil is a simple way to help keep your home free of houseflies.
Having flies inside your home is not only extremely annoying, but it is also unhealthy. Flies can pass pathogens on to the food that they land on, making it unsafe for you or your family to consume. Rather than spray in and around your home with harmful chemicals, you can get rid of the houseflies with some basil. With a little care, your basil plants will send away the flies, and also leave you with some fresh herbs with which you can cook. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Using Basil Against Flies
1. Place a basil plant next to any doors. Flies are repulsed by the smell of basil and are far less likely to enter your home if they catch a whiff of your basil plants.
2. Set a basil plant on your kitchen counter. Flies are notorious for buzzing around kitchens looking for food. Having basil in the kitchen drives the flies away from your food and keeps it safe from contamination.
3. Crush up some dried basil leaves. Mix the crushed basil with the soil of the rest of your houseplants. The scent of the basil in the soil repels flies from those plants and areas as well. Mix the basil leaves with soil in your outdoor plants, too, to help keep flies from congregating around your patio or deck.
Basil Care
4. Make sure your basil plants get at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If the plant is not close to a window, you can use a fluorescent light. Situate the light 6 inches from the plant, and keep it on 14 hours per day to simulate six hours of sunlight.
5. Water the plants until the soil is completely saturated. Allow the top inch of soil to dry completely before watering again.
6. Fill a spray bottle with water. Mist the basil leaves every other day to help maintain the proper humidity level.
7. Keep the room temperature between 60 degrees and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
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