IF you want to ensure your home is free from flies this summer, you’ve come to the right place.
There’s nothing more annoying than trying to relax and watch TV on the sofa, only to have uninvited flies buzzing around you.
If you’ve noticed flies invading your home, you’ve come to the right place[/caption]
Here’s a simple hack you’ll need to try – and it won’t cost you a penny[/caption]
Not only will it banish gnats, but it’ll keep your houseplants alive too[/caption]
According to an expert, the key is to reduce the amount of water you are giving your plants[/caption]
But now, luckily for you, a pest pro has shared the super simple hack to stop the pesky bugs invading your pad.
It’s perfect if you’ve got a home full of houseplants – and it will even ensure your flowers stay alive during warm weather too.
And don’t worry if your purse is feeling tighter than ever before, as this hack won’t cost you a penny – yes, you heard that correctly.
It turns out that while houseplants give us stunning flowers and pretty greenery, they also attract fungus gnats, a type of fly that breeds in soil.
These flies can seemingly multiply everywhere, but now, Jordan Trainer, owner of independent plant shop Plantique, has shared his advice for those looking to fight the war on insects this summer.
Thankfully, Jordan revealed exactly how to get rid of fungus gnats, plus his advice to prevent them from returning.
He explained that while fungus gnats aren’t actually bad for plants, they can be very annoying, as he told The Express: “Although not detrimental to your plants health, fungus gnats can cause many issues and spread very quickly.”
As a result, he shared his top tip to battling a plague of fungus gnats – and all you’ll need to do is let your plants dry out.
Jordan advised: “The best way to treat this issue if you have them in your home is to allow the soil to partially dry out and reduce the amount of water you are giving your plants.”
He acknowledged that doing so will help to stop the cycle as fungus gnats lay their eggs in damp soil.
Jordan also advised gardening fans to “remove the top one to two inches of soil from the pot to get rid of any un-hatched eggs.”
Meanwhile, Jordan stressed that if you’ve got a major infestation on your hands, it could be worthwhile getting to the root of the problem.
Why do flies come out in summer?
Flies are present all year round, but all of a sudden when summer comes, they are just EVERYWHERE!
The main contributing factors are the breeding cycle of flies and the soaring temperatures.
Insects are cold blooded and in summer, when their body temperature rises from the external heat, they become more active.
The hotter weather also let’s them seek out cool moist spots, like inside your home, to escape from the sweltering heat and to lay their eggs.
House Fly eggs take around 20 hours to hatch, but when the temperature rises above 37 degrees, can hatch within 8 hours!
In extreme hot weather the eggs can mature from larvae to adult fly in as little as four days.
The average lifespan of a housefly is 21 days, so each female can lay up to 900 eggs during the summer months!
If things are “really bad”, Jordan recommended re-potting plants completely using a “good quality indoor soil mix and removing as much of the old soil as possible”.
You can also clean the roots in water to make sure all the old soil is removed.
Then, once you’ve done this, prevention is the cure.
For the most part, allowing the soil to slightly dry out is the best method of prevention
Jordan Trainer
The key to avoiding fungus gnat infestations is to ensure you don’t overwater your plants, since the flies live and lay their eggs in damp soil.
The plant pro shared: “To help prevent fungus gnats from coming back once you have done this it’s important to not over-water your plants. For the most part, allowing the soil to slightly dry out is the best method of prevention.”
Gardening gurus should watch out for water sitting out too, as he added: “Also making sure any excess water is drained away if the pot you have collects water at the base. Stagnant water can cause them to come back so good drainage is key.”
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
The first step to ensure flies don’t return is to give houseplants the best soil to grow in, as Jordan stressed that poor quality soil might be “riddled” with fungus gnat larvae.
As a result, he recommended buying “a good quality potting soil designed for indoor plants”.
He explained: “Buying from a reputable company as opposed to buying a generic bag of cheaper multi-purpose mix is the best way to go as these bags are often left outside, very damp and riddled with fungus gnats eggs and other pests that are waiting to hatch when you re-pot your plants indoors.”
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