Basil as a Housefly Repellent

History & Lore of Basil

• Basil is the king of the herbs. The word "basil" itself comes from the Greek "basilikon," which means royal. Roman legends claim that basil cures the venom of the mythical basilisk. Among Hindus, people bury their dead with a basil leaf as it acts as a passport into the afterlife.

  In India, people so admired this plant that they swore oaths by it. In Italy, basil represents love, and in Mexican folklore carrying a basil leaf in one's pocket acts as a wish for eternal devotion. This particular custom appeared in Romania too.

  In the 1600s, it was very common to find basil in English homes. Throughout the United Kingdom, a man presenting basil to a woman acted as a request to court her seriously. People also trusted this herb as a pest repellent, including keeping houseflies away, along with any supernatural pests such as mischievous or malevolent spirits. For this purpose, it was customary to hang fresh basil in doorways.

Basil Tincture

• Make a basil tincture and spray it in areas to keep the fly population minimized. Begin with 2 ounces of fresh basil. Add this to a pint of cider vinegar. Put both into an airtight container for two weeks. Strain the tincture thoroughly, making sure no small pieces of basil leaf remains. Transfer the liquid into a spray bottle and use as desired. For longevity, store the spray in the refrigerator.

Growing Basil

• Grow basil around your porch or other areas where people gather to keep flies away. Basil prefers well-drained soil. Plant it in a sunny spot in your garden after the chance of frost passes. Pinch back flowers as they appear to put more of the plant's energy into growing fragrant leaves. Lightly apply a complete fertilizer with a 5-10-5 balance. Harvest leaves as desired for cooking or repelling insects.

  Basil makes an ideal companion plant for tomatoes too.

Basil Flytrap

• You can create a simple, effective housefly trap using a plastic bag, water, basil and a hanger. Just fill the bag about two-thirds of the way with fresh water. Harvest fresh basil leaves and gently crush them to release the oils within. Drop them into the bag. Attach the bag carefully to the hanger and leave it in a doorway or window. If you use this near the kitchen sink, it will also trap fruit flies.