A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Plant pests and problems black flies on mint & lemon thyme

Good morning!

Can anyone tell me why flies seem to be so attracted to my spearmint plant and lemon thyme when they flower? They are in two different spots in the yard. I thought I read somewhere that mint repelled flies?
It's gross!! It's not just a few flies, it's a swarm that moves when I walk by the plant.
I cut off all the blooms, and that seems to help, but that's no fun :(
Boo hiss.....

Flies are attracted to sweet smells as well as rank smells. honey is used to attract them to flypaper, so it is understandable that they would be attracted to your mint plant.

That makes sense.
Thanks for your response : )