Most of us have our windows wide open due to the hot, humid heat the UK has been experiencing, but this can make it easier for flies to buzz into your home. Flies love hot and wet climates as it speeds up their life cycle and make them lay more eggs, so unfortunately these pests will be more active this week.

It may be convenient to simple use a spray to kill flies, but they often contain poisonous chemicals that can linger in the air and continue to irritate you throughout the day. Sprays are also not very effective for long as it will not prevent new flies from coming into your home, so your insect problem will just continue.

Instead, Richard Cale, an expert from Leaf Culture, has shared that it is better to get rid of flies 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."

It may seem strange, but certain herbs can produce essential oils that can confuse flies and even be mildly toxic to them.

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.

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 home.

Lavender

Lavender is known for its lovely sweet fragrant that smells pleasant to humans but flies will absolutely hate and go out of their way to avoid.

This beautiful plant also contains oils like linalool which will also greatly irritate flies so it can also act as a natural barrier to keep flies away.

Richard said: "Lavender plant is popular because of its vibrant purple blossoms and relaxing aroma. Beyond that, this plant is an effective insect repelling agent. The essential oils in lavender naturally prevent flies."

Lavender needs six hours of sunlight a day so you need to put it in a sunny spot in your home and be careful not to overwater it in summer.

Basil

Basil is great to have in kitchens as it also as a strong scent that not flies but mosquitos will hate as it overwhelms their senses to make it more diffcult for them to navigate.

Richard said: "Basil is known for its powerful scent and ability to repel flies and mosquitoes. Place basil in sunny areas such as kitchen windowsills or outside patios where flies are a typical problem."

Basil tends to be very easy to grow indoors but if can become leggy and begin to die if you do not take a few seconds each week to pick any flowers off it.

Mint

Mint has a cooling yet sharp scent that will stop flies, but can keep ants, spiders, and even 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 said: "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. The strong minty fragrance keeps out the insects and makes it an excellent natural pest control solution."

It should be noted that mint can quickly become overgrown if you are not cutting it back regularly so keep a eye and occasionally cut it back if it starts to seem unruly.