The warmer weather is encouraging many to open their windows and bring fresh air in, letting a sudden surge of indoor pests in as an unwelcome surprise. And with summer being a popular season for tending to houseplants, what many green-thumbed homeowners don't realise is that their favourite plant could be a "breeding ground" for flies.

An infestation can seem to appear from nowhere, with tiny flies darting around living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Often mistaken for harmless gnats, these pests thrive in very specific conditions that are often unintentionally created indoors. As houseplants grow, so too does the need to water and care for them, but this common routine may be creating another problem to take care of.

Sophie Thorogood, technical training manager at Pest-Stop, explained why the task of watering houseplants shouldn't be taken lightly.

"Damp soil can act as both a breeding ground and a source of moisture for fungus gnats - a common type of small indoor fly," she explained.

Overwatering is one of the most frequent mistakes made by plant owners, and it provides an ideal environment for flies to multiply out of sight.

"To prevent this, avoid overwatering your houseplants and ensure the soil dries out between waterings," Sophie advised. "It's also important to avoid any standing water in plant trays."

Without these precautions, even the most pristine home can become a hive of fly activity, and by the time you realise, you'll be dealing with dozens of them.

As a preventive measure, Sophie suggested "placing yellow sticky traps near plants can help catch any flies that are already present and will prevent them from laying new eggs".

If you ensure you remove moisture-heavy conditions, you'll be able to enjoy both your plants' beauty and a fly-free home this summer.