How to Rid Houses of Flies With Basil

Summer months mean warm days and the inevitable pesky fly in your house. If your house has more flies than normal but you don't want to use any insecticides in the home, grow basil indoors instead. Flies don't like the smell of basil and are actually repelled by the scent; if you grow basil in the house, the flies will naturally leave. Not only does the basil repel flies, but it also gives you a fresh herb to use in your recipes. Growing basil is simple, although it grows best in the summer months when it receives adequate amounts of light and heat.

Potting mix
Sand
Pot
Water
Basil seeds
Liquid fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Mix 2 parts traditional potting mix with 1 part sand to achieve a well-draining mix preferred by basil plants. Ensure that your pot has adequate drainage.
- 2
  Cover the basil seeds lightly with soil.
- 3
  Water the seeds thoroughly, until the top inch of soil is wet. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- 4
  Place the pot on the windowsill of a south-facing window that receives six hours of direct sunlight each day. Turn the plant to promote even growth and to allow the entire plant to receive direct sun.
- 5
  Keep the area around the basil moist. Mist the leaves with room-temperature water or place the plant on a tray of wet pebbles.
- 6
  Place basil near windows you suspect flies use to enter your home.
- 7
  Fertilize the soil every two weeks with a liquid high-nitrogen fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
- 8
  Harvest the leaves for your recipes once the plant has at least two to four sets of leaves.

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