Keeping flies away

[winofairy]

Do any of you have any idea what flowers or plants that will keep flies away? Last year I had a huge potted assortment on my door step and the flies loved it. So every time we opened the front door flies would come into the house.

I really want to keep the pot where it's located but I do not have any idea how to keep the flies away. Any suggestions?

[dmfan]

Have you tried companion planting? There are a couple of herbs that when planted with flowers will repel insects. here's a link to a few common ones. Bonus: homegrown herbs! yummy. GL! If that doesn't work you can try sprinkling DE [Diatomaceous Earth] in the soil to see if that helps. It should be flower friendly but I'm not *positive*. We use it in our chicken coop to keep the flies away and it is safe for the chickens.

tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/herbs-deter-flies-naturally.htm

[winofairy]

May 15, 2012 12:27:26 GMT -5 dmfan said:

Have you tried companion planting? There are a couple of herbs that when planted with flowers will repel insects. here's a link to a few common ones. Bonus: homegrown herbs! yummy. GL! If that doesn't work you can try sprinkling DE [Diatomaceous Earth] in the soil to see if that helps. It should be flower friendly but I'm not *positive*. We use it in our chicken coop to keep the flies away and it is safe for the chickens.

tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/herbs-deter-flies-naturally.htm

Awesome! Thanks so much!

[NitaX]

In this link it says you can plant Mint around your house.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT PLANT MINT IN YOUR GARDEN!!!

It is EXTREMELY invasive.

[kaylie]

May 15, 2012 12:40:07 GMT -5 NitaX said:

In this link it says you can plant Mint around your house.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT PLANT MINT IN YOUR GARDEN!!!

It is EXTREMELY invasive.

I was reading the article and had the same thought! NO, NOT MINT!!!!

[winofairy]

Thanks for the mint tip!

[dirtyred]

Maybe that should be a sticky at the top of the board:

MINT ONLY IN POTS!

[kaylie]

I've had it move into pots that were close to it. I'm just buying mine at the grocery store from now on. That stuff is dangerous.

[winofairy]

What about basil? I read basil repels flies? Can it be put in pots with other flowers or should it be in a pot all by itself?

[kaylie]

Basil is pretty harmless and you can plant it with other stuff. I have a large pot that I put three or four different herbs in. If you're going to use it in food, keep an eye on it because eventually it will flower and you'll want to pull those off.

Most herbs are relatively safe. Mint happens to be a monster and if you plant it without knowing its tendency to take over it's a nightmare to get rid of.

[winofairy]

Thanks Kaylie!

I also msg you back on the mod board

[ringstrue]

also citronella plants are supposed to work? They are perennials too.