flies

[paulz]

With all this lovely hot weather, we seem to get loads of flies in the house. I'm sure there was a herb, that if grown indoors would deter the flies - any ideas? Thanks

[chijiki]

There are a number of plants that will deter flies. These are best grown around exterior doorways. Good examples are basil, tansy, rue, mint, elder, lavender and pennyroyal. You will not stop all flies entering your house so it is wise to remember that light attracts them. If you have lights on and open windows then the flies will enter. Flies do not like smoke so you could burn incense sticks or candles containing citronella. There are also carnivorous plants like nepenthes, also known as the pitcher plant or monkey-cup, which are ideal for a greenhouse or conservatory.

[woofgang]

We have put up flyscreen panels from lakeland plastics this year which has solved the problem nicely

[answerbok]

Fly Agaric mushroom; [shame you can't get it til autumn]; http://www.witchery.ca/botany/flyagaric.htm