Fall, spring and summer are the seasons to enjoy both the warm and cool weather. Fall, especially, is a time for hiking in the mountains, apple picking, visiting the pumpkin patch and going to football games. While fall is a season for all of these incredible things and viewing the wonders of the leaves changing color and the wind blowing, it’s also a season for bugs, particularly flies.

Nothing is worse than taking your pie out of the oven or making some warm soup, and having a bunch of flies trying to come near your food. If you want the flies to stay away from your house this season and year-round, having a small garden to keep plants that deter flies is very helpful. Instead of purchasing bug spray and repellant on your next trip to the home improvement store, try getting a few things to plant bug repellant plants instead.

Here are eight plants that deter flies.

Lavender Smells Great and Deters Flies

This flower not only is a gorgeous shade of purple and smells amazing, but this plant also deters flies as well. The best thing about lavender, besides the fact that it works as a bug repellant, is that this gorgeous flower can be used to make lavender syrup for cocktails, tea and lemonade. It can also be used to make soap, perfume, shampoo, and other body washes and gels. Lavender is also a natural sleep aid and can be used in sleep spray to help you fall asleep better. This plant deters flies but is also a natural repellant against beetles and fleas. Planting this near your vegetables like squash, lettuce, cabbage and tomatoes will keep flies away from your harvest.

Basil for More Than Just Pizza

Another useful plant that deters flies and is often used in the kitchen is basil. This plant isn’t just a great pizza topping or pasta addition. Belonging to the mint family, basil’s strong aroma and oils make it a natural bug-repellant. Basil grows fast after harvesting and is best planted next to vegetables, as it keeps the flies and bugs from destroying your food. Plant this next to your peppers, eggplants, squash and other vegetables this fall so that you can enjoy your food without fighting off the flies.

Mint for Drinks and Repelling Insects

A popular flavor for toothpaste and mint chocolate chip ice cream, this plant also works well to deter flies. One of the strongest and most aromatic plants, mint is versatile and can be used for delicious cocktails, lemonade and tea, and can also be used in body care items such as body scrub, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, hair oil and more. Mint is also a great herb to use for the upcoming cold and flu season in warm tea. This plant has a cooling and distinctive taste, with menthol giving it a cold and refreshing sensation. Not only does this plant deter flies, it’s also a mosquito-repellant, as the menthol, menthone and methyl acetate in mint work as a natural pest repellant.

Rosemary Is More Than Just a Steak Garnish

Rosemary isn’t just a plant to use when cooking steaks. This wonderful ingredient used for bread, soup, pasta and potato recipes, along with many other dishes, is also a great fly repellant. The intense fragrance of rosemary warns off flies, gnats and midges. The best thing about this plant is that you can keep a pot of it in your kitchen, and you can also plant it in your garden outside. Use this plant to repel insects from coming into your house and near your fall fruits and veggies.

Chrysanthemum Flowers

Not only are these flowers incredibly gorgeous and will help beautify the outside of your home, but they’re also used often to deter flies. With this autumn-blooming plant, you will not only have a gorgeous array of bright colors surrounding your home, but you’ll also be keeping the pests out. This plant deters flies, mosquitos and other pests and is great planted in your vegetable garden. The best part is that you get to look at these beautiful flowers every day.

It’s Always Wise To Keep Sage On Hand

This delicious herb used for cooking chicken and used in cocktails and tea, is not only versatile in the kitchen but deter flies as well. The strong smell and oils in this plant repel bugs like flies and mosquitoes. This plant also attracts bees, which will pollinate it. Keep this plant inside your kitchen to deter flies, and grow it in your vegetable garden to keep those pests away from your veggies and plants.

The Carnivorous Plant That Deters Flies

This insect-eater plant will not only eat flies but will eat other bugs and pests too. While the Venus flytrap may not be the most attractive, it definitely does a good job of being a plant that deters flies. The jaw-like traps of this carnivorous plant use their sweet nectar to attract bugs and then trap them and close, leaving flies and other bugs helpless in a natural plant cage. These plants are best indoors and in warm environments.

Lemongrass

Last on the list of plants that deter flies is lemongrass. This tropical fly-repellant plant is versatile and used in many recipes for soup, chicken, rice and more. This plant works best in warm weather, and can be planted easily depending on location. The strong oils in lemongrass work as a natural repellant and can be planted indoors and outdoors. Lemongrass also keeps mosquitoes and other pests from eating away at your fruits and vegetables.