Houseplants are the perfect way to add a touch of nature to any home and happen to have many benefits to create a calming atmosphere indoors. However, anything from moist soil to overripe fruit can attract flies in your home and around your houseplants.

Fungus gnats in particular can become a problem, as they are attracted to fungal growth, known for thriving in damp and humid conditions. These environments create an ideal breeding ground for fungi, which ultimately attracts the gnats to your houseplants. To avoid having this problem, gardening experts have shared their top tips, which include adding natural materials to soil. These simple ingredients can help to create a barrier that prevents flies from laying eggs in your plants.

Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express said: “Overusing fertilisers can lead to fungal growth which also attracts gnats too. If you’re finding that this has become a problem for you, there are some simple and inexpensive solutions that can help, like creating a sugar and water mix or using sweet foods like squashed fruit and honey."

They suggest that by sprinkling a layer of cinnamon on top of the soil, you can help to kill any fungi that may have developed from the excess moisture and humidity. Not just this, but it helps to act as a detergent for fungus gnats, so they’re no longer attracted to the soil.

It’s important to check for the compatibility with your plants, other gardening enthusiasts suggest. Although usually safe, it’s worth always testing a small area of your plant first to see the effects the cinnamon has and avoid any adverse reactions.

Cinnamon is a quick and easy way for deterring flies, but if you have a severe infestation, you may need to use stronger methods to eliminate them. In more extreme cases, it’s best to mix the ingredient with other pest control products.

According to the experts, essential oils are another great way to use scent to deter flies. Simply adding a small amount of peppermint oil, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil directly into the soil can help keep flies away.

However, the same as you would usually dilute the oils before using on your skin or in other areas, you must dilute the solution, as to avoid further harming your houseplants.

Another suggested simple ingredient is sugar water when a pot of it is placed near your houseplants. The sweet smell of the mixture attracts the flies, and therefore, instead of heading towards your plants, they’re lured into the mixture.