Annoying and small, fruit flies prefer to stay near very ripe or already rotting fruits in summer and autumn and also around vegetables stored outside the refrigerator. But there is an effective home remedy against the pests.
Does basil help against fruit flies?
Basil is avery effective remedyto effectively combat fruit flies that feast on open fruit and vegetables. It is one of thehome remedies that can be used to combat the annoying but not harmful fruit flies.
Why is basil helpful for controlling fruit flies?
The reason why basil is so well suited to combating fruit flies is that the aromatic and quite high-maintenance basil gives off ascentthat the little flies don't like at all. If fruit flies smell theessential oils of the basil, they run away.
How do you use basil against fruit flies?
It's very simple: place abasil pot near the fruit bowl - the fruit flies will stay away due to the intense smell. To “supply” several fruit bowls, the basil can be divided well in advance.
Tip
If your fruit bowl is quite dark, you should do it the other way around and place it near the basil on the windowsill. If the herb pot is too dark, the basil will quickly die because the location is not the right one.
Is basil itself attacked by fruit flies?
Basil itself isnot attacked by fruit flies. These focus on fruits and vegetables and stay away from basil due to the scent and essential oils it exudes.
Which other herbs are effective against fruit flies?
If you have a small herb garden on your windowsill - be it in the classic pots, in jars or hydroponically, you can usually prevent fruit fly infestations very well. Intensively fragrant herbs such aslemon balmandmintare ideal for this, but also withchivesorLavenderachieves good results.
Our tip: Place a small bowl of choppedNasturtium next to the fruit bowl - this can also keep fruit flies away become.
Can basil, which is used to repel flies, be consumed?
If basil is used to ward off fruit flies in the kitchen, it canbe harvested and consumed fresh without any worries. It is also suitable for drying or freezing in portions, as the fruit flies had no contact with the culinary herb.
Tip
Do not confuse with fungus gnats
If you discover small flies in the soil of the basil, these are fungus gnats. Fruit flies, on the other hand, are usually not found in plant soil. Fungus gnats are particularly attracted to soil that is too moist or waterlogged. Proper watering is very important to avoid infestation with these pests, as is using fresh soil for new plants.
