Commercial Feature

Pests in the garden need to be brought under control. A variety of methods can be used, according to the type of pest. Insecticides can be used, but there are alternatives that may be preferable.

Some creatures regarded as pests by some, are considered by others as interesting wildlife. Many types of birds – attracted to gardens with bird feeders and nest boxes – may damage some of the plants and vegetables grown there.

If some types of birds are regarded as pests, they can be scared away with harmless moving and reflective objects. Examples are reflective strips of aluminium foil hung above plants and seeds, and lengths of string rigged above seed beds.

A large plastic model of a predatory bird may be effective against seed-eating birds. These can be purchased online, from garden equipment websites.

On the other hand, birds encouraged into other parts of the garden may actually be a big help in controlling pests, such as slugs, caterpillars and greenfly.

Slugs and snails are a major pest problem in the garden. You can, of course, buy slug pellets to sprinkle around vulnerable plants. You can now buy pellets that will not harm pets, birds or any other beneficial creatures, if used carefully in accordance with the instructions.

If you’re not happy about using slug pellets, pest control can be achieved in another way. Try half-filling a container with beer or lager. Place it slightly sunken into the soil, so that slugs can easily climb into it. They then drink the beer, become intoxicated, fall into it and drown.

Various substances can be sprinkled around plants to keep slugs away from them. Sharp sand or grit and soot are examples. Encouraging creatures that eat slugs will help to control these pests too.

A pond will attract the slug-eating frogs and toads. Dog food, put out regularly, will attract hedgehogs, which eat large quantities of this pest.

Aphids are the next most common garden pest to be controlled. They attack a large range of garden plants. Blackfly, whitefly and greenfly are aphids which suck sap from a plant, seriously weakening it.

Various insecticide sprays can be used to the kill aphids. Unfortunately, these can also kill ladybirds and hoverflies, which feed on them.

A less damaging liquid to use for this type of pest control is well-diluted washing up liquid. Use one teaspoonful of the liquid to two litres of water, and spray it onto the aphids every week.

Aphids breathe through their skin, and the diluted washing up liquid blocks their breathing, causing them to suffocate.

Caterpillars can suddenly appear on plants and rapidly strip the leaves. Eggs laid by butterflies can sometimes be spotted and removed before this happens. To prevent the eggs being laid, cover the plants with horticultural fleece, when butterflies are about.

A heavy infestation of caterpillars may have to be treated with pyrethrum, an insecticide based on a natural plant extract. This is made from the crushed flowers of certain types of chrysanthemum. Take care to read and follow the instructions when using any insecticide.

Moles can do considerable damage to a lawn. Mole-repellent liquids and smoke-producing products can be purchased from some websites, along with sonic mole repellers, which will encourage moles to leave your lawn and go elsewhere.

Pest control in the garden can be achieved using a variety of methods, which need not be harmful in other ways.