Kitchen scraps are surprisingly useful. From making compost to brewing stock, they have a lot of life left in them despite the name. Perhaps one of the most practical uses, however, is as a pest deterrent.

As the summer weather starts to peak, pesky bugs are at their most active, seeking suitable shelter to reproduce. Kitchen scraps can make non-toxic deterrents that make areas less attractive to pests, explains Ed Dolshun, Technical Director at Catchmaster. 'They can help with light activity, but if pests keep showing up, there is usually a food source, moisture issue, or entry point that needs to be fixed.'

These are the three scraps worth repurposing for natural pest control and how to use them to deter persistent bugs.

1. Used Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds can help to keep bugs away and smell fantastic while doing so. Given that good-quality, ethical coffee beans can be expensive, this is a great way to further justify the spend while avoiding creating unnecessary trash at home.

As Ed Dolshun explains, 'Used coffee grounds can be particularly helpful outside around patios, trash bins, or garden edges because the strong smell can make those areas less appealing to some crawling insects. The important thing is not to overdo it. If coffee grounds sit too long and stay wet, they can start to break down and attract pests instead. I would use them as a short-term outdoor deterrent and refresh or remove them regularly.'

Collecting your coffee grounds is easiest with the best non-toxic coffee makers. I use the Bialetti Moka Pot, available at Amazon, and the grounds are simple to tap out of the funnel after each use. The Aarke French Press, from Williams Sonoma, also makes it easy. Made entirely from stainless steel, you do not need to worry about either vessel contaminating the grounds with nano or microplastics that might pollute your outdoor environment.

2. Banana Peels

Banana peels are fantastic for plants, acting as free fertilizer without added harsh chemicals. The added benefit to using this kitchen waste in your garden and pots is non-toxic pest control.

Allan Bossel, operations expert at Bed Bug Exterminator, explains, 'Banana peels are one of the underrated kitchen scraps that homeowners can use against summer pests, especially ants and aphids. What makes it effective is isoamyl acetate, which releases a strong scent when broken down.

'Simply chop the peels into small pieces and then bury them around the base of your plants to avoid attracting fruit flies and rotting in the sun. Also, you can create a nutrient boost from these scraps by soaking the chopped peels in a jar of water for two days.'

This airtight storage jar from Walmart is perfect for this, letting the skins soak without accidentally attracting pests with the sweet smell.

3. Leftover Nutmeg and Mace

There are plenty of spices that deter common garden pests, but for summer, Allan suggests leftover nutmeg and mace, usually found in abundance in pantries and kitchen cabinets after the fall and winter baking seasons. Repurposing them prevents stale spices next season, without them going entirely to waste.

'They contain myristicin, a natural plant compound that seems to deter bugs,' Allan explains. 'Nutmeg can keep termites away and mess up ant scent trails. Simply sprinkle your expired nutmeg powder right along your home's foundation to block bugs. You can even throw it in your pantry bins to ward off grain weevils or simmer it in water to make a quick bug spray for wooden patio furniture.

'However, if you’re a pet owner, keep nutmeg away from your dogs because their bodies can’t metabolize myristicin. It’s toxic for them even in small amounts.'

What Else to Consider

Natural deterrents are a fantastic first defense against an infestation; however, they should not be relied upon entirely. Doing so is one of the most common pest control mistakes.

Ed warns that natural deterrents only work if the basics are handled too. 'Keep food sealed, wipe up spills, take trash out regularly, check for moisture, and seal gaps where pests may be getting in,' he advises.

'If you are still seeing consistent activity after that, then it is usually at the point where monitoring tools or targeted traps make sense. Catchmaster’s window fly traps [from Amazon] are an easy option for kitchens and glass doors where flies tend to collect. For crawling pests, Catchmaster’s glue boards [also from Amazon] can be placed under sinks, along baseboards, in garages, basements or near entry points to help monitor what is actually getting inside. They are pesticide-free and odorless, which is helpful for households that want to avoid indoor sprays.'

What to Shop

Preventing pests requires a multifaceted approach, from the best deterrents to top cleaning tips. These are the essentials to help keep them at bay without harsh chemicals.

All prices correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

Keep an eye out for the signs it's time to call professional pest control to prevent lasting damage to your home and health.

Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

It is tick season, and as populations continue to expand across the US, taking steps to prevent them from settling in your yard has never been more important. The greatest risk remains in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest, but experts warn that several species are spreading into new areas of the country. The good news is that there are plenty of effective ways to make your yard less appealing to ticks.

From strategic landscaping choices and wildlife deterrents to natural repellents and targeted treatments, small changes can have a big impact, and there are many ways you can prevent and kill ticks in your yard

These tiny pests can transmit illnesses such as Lyme disease, making yard prevention an important step in protecting both your family and pets. Here, pest control experts and gardeners share the five best ways to prevent ticks from moving in and reduce the chances of unwanted encounters this season.

1. Keep Grass Short

If you want to prevent ticks, it's also important to keep your yard well-maintained. 'Regular mowing, trimming shrubs, and removing leaf litter are crucial,' says landscaping expert Scott McLeod.

Ticks thrive in humid environments with dense vegetation, so staying on top of summer lawn care leaves them with fewer places to hide. During peak tick season – typically from late spring through early fall – experts recommend mowing regularly to keep grass short.

It's equally important to manage the transition zones around your yard. Trim back overgrown borders, clear weeds from fence lines, and prune low-hanging branches to increase sunlight and airflow, creating conditions that are less favorable for ticks.

Ensure fallen leaves are actually removed or collected rather than simply raked to the edges of your yard, as ticks readily shelter in damp leaf piles. The same applies after storms or periods of heavy rain, when accumulated garden debris can retain moisture and provide ideal hiding spots.

Finally, decluttering your yard and storing firewood in a dry, elevated location away from the house can help reduce potential areas for both ticks and the small mammals that often carry them.

2. Create Physical Barriers

Similar to how gardeners use crushed eggshells to deter of slugs from reaching vulnerable plants, you can create a larger physical barrier to help keep ticks out of your yard.

'Creating a 3-foot-wide barrier of wood chips, gravel, or similar material between your lawn and any wooded areas can help deter ticks from entering your yard,' says Scott McLeod.

You can find pea gravel at Ace Hardware. Alternatively, this cedar wood chip mulch from Amazon would be a great choice, as the natural oils in the wood helps to repel ticks.

Ticks prefer cool, humid environments with dense vegetation and leaf litter. By introducing a strip of dry, exposed material between wooded areas and frequently used parts of the yard, you make it harder for them to migrate into spaces where children and pets play.

These barriers work particularly well along the edges of properties that back onto woodland, naturalized areas, stone walls, or unmanaged vegetation.

For maximum effect, keep the barrier clear of encroaching plants and replenish materials as they break down over time.

3. Add Tick-Repelling Plants Around Pathways

One of the main reasons there are ticks in your yard is because they've been carried in on another animal. That's why ticks like to hang out on the border of landscapes, where people and other animals will walk through.

If you have pathways or transition areas in your yard, pest control professional Matt Smith suggests doing some 'strategic planting' with tick repellent plants to prevent ticks from hitching a ride into your yard.

Ticks will avoid plants and herbs such as rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and marigolds, so consider adding these beautifully fragrant pest-repellent plants to paths or around the edge of your plot to ward them off.

For expert tips on growing rosemary and growing lavender, you can head to our guides. Often used for companion planting, marigolds keep bugs away and bring a warm, vibrant color to your yard.

You can find marigold seeds at Botanical Interests.

4. Try Natural Tick-Repellent Sprays

You can also deter ticks with scented sprays. Entomologist David Price from Mosquito Joe advises using natural tick repellent sprays containing cedar, eucalyptus, or neem oil.

These substances may help repel ticks and can be applied to clothing, outdoor fabrics, or around the yard.

A homemade bug spray can also be handy to have around, and you can make your own using essential oils diluted appropriately for outdoor use. You can find eucalyptus essential oil at Amazon.

However, it's important to remember that natural repellents tend to break down more quickly than synthetic alternatives, particularly after rainfall or irrigation, so regular reapplication is key.

If you're relying on natural sprays as part of your tick-prevention strategy, experts recommend combining them with other methods mentioned in this article, as the most effective way to reduce tick activity in yards.

5. Discourage Deer and Rodents From Entering Your Yard

Reducing the number of animals that carry ticks into your yard can also help lower your risk of encountering them.

While deer are an important part of many ecosystems, they are one of the primary hosts for adult ticks, while small mammals such as mice can transport immature ticks through gardens.

These ultrasonic solar animal repellent devices from Amazon are very well reviewed, and would help to keep deer and small rodents from entering your yard.

Other simple measures such as choosing deer-resistant plants, using fencing where appropriate, DIY deer deterrents, and removing food sources that attract rodents can make a difference.

To make your yard less inviting to rodents, keep bird seed in sealed containers, clean up any spilled seed beneath feeders, and store firewood neatly stacked in a dry, elevated location away from the house.

Sealing gaps around sheds and other outbuildings can also help prevent mice from taking up residence. While these animals all play a role in the natural environment, limiting their activity in the immediate vicinity of your home may help reduce the number of ticks entering your outdoor spaces.

What to Shop

FAQs

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are invertebrates that belong to the class Arachnida, the same class as spiders, scorpions, and mites. These small insects are most active during the warmer months of the year, and feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians.

'Once these opportunistic hunters find a host, they dig their heads into their skin and they suck blood from them,' says Matt Smith, the co-owner of Green Pest Management. 'Ticks carry Lyme disease, which is really nasty and can affect your health for the rest of your life.'

There are lots of pests that can destroy plants, but ticks will just use plants to perch on and wait for a host to come by before attaching themselves to them. Here are five things you can do to repel them.

What Time of the Day Are Ticks Most Active?

Some experts say that ticks are the most active in the morning and the evening, but they can turn up at any time of the day.

It also depends on the species of tick, for example, there are two main types, 'hard' ticks and 'soft' ticks. Adult ticks are more active in the morning, and if the temperature reaches about 50 degrees, any ticks present are likely to be active.

Ticks can be a year-round problem, particularly if you live in an area with high temperatures and humidity, so it's sensible to keep vigilant.

The most effective way to prevent ticks from becoming a problem in your outside space is to combine the measures mentioned above, which will ensure you're keeping your yard safe for everyone in it.

If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?

There's a never-ending battle between gardeners and slugs as these destructive critters eat their way through ornamental plants and crops alike. But I've discovered an easy, natural way to create a slug-proof barrier that will protect your most vulnerable plants.

It's essentially using one of the best slug-repellent plants and turning it into a boundary: ferns. Ferns are disliked by slugs and snails because of their rough, fibrous texture, which is hard to eat. By strategically planting ferns around the softer plants slugs do like to munch on, you can create an effective slug-proof barrier.

So, if you're after slug control methods that are chemical-free and non-harmful, then here's why you should consider ferns as the one plant you need to create a slug-proof barrier.

Why Slugs Dislike Ferns

Slugs tend to target fresh, tender plant foliage and seedlings. Essentially, they'll target any soft, palatable plants. This is why they can cause havoc in kitchen gardens, but are also known to devour dahlias and delphiniums, among other flowering plants with smooth foliage.

But, when it comes to ferns, the foliage is too rough, leathery, and fibrous for slugs to consume. Not only this, but many ferns have toxic chemical compounds that slugs dislike the taste of and interfere with their digestion.

For this reason, ferns can be used to make a slug-proof barrier, protecting the plants they're looking to attack.

How to Make a Slug-Proof Fern Barrier

The first thing to do when making a slug-proof fern barrier is choosing the right ferns.

While slugs tend to dislike most ferns, there are some more reliable slug-proof options to choose from.

This includes Japanese painted ferns (like this from Nature Hills), hart's tongue fern, and classic wood ferns (like this from Nature Hills), all of which have particularly tough foliage that slugs dislike.

If you want to protect plants in your border, you can either use ferns as edging or plant them throughout, focusing on placing them around those plants susceptible to slug damage.

Likewise, in a veg patch, you can use ferns to make a perimeter that surrounds the likes of lettuce, brassicas, legumes, and the other crops you find lots of slugs attacking.

Packing the ferns closely together to create dense coverage is the most effective way to make your slug-proof barrier, reducing the likelihood of slugs slipping past and heading straight for your vulnerable plants.

To strengthen your efforts, you can add gravel and crushed eggshells around the base of the ferns to make a rough surface that slugs dislike traveling across.

Don't forget to pay attention to fern care, too. The majority of ferns enjoy shady to partial shade conditions (often typical of native woodland habitats), but if you need to protect plants in a sunnier location, opt for something like a bracken fern, which is better suited to full sun.

What to Shop

There are so many tried and tested ways to stop slugs destroying plants, so it's all about figuring out what works in your yard. For example, the cucumber hack can help draw slugs away from vulnerable plants in your garden.

If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?

The sun is shining and temperatures are warming up, encouraging not only your plants to shoot up but pests to come out. I'm always looking for chemical-free ways to stop destructive insects in the yard, which is how I stumbled across the hack of using flour to deter garden pests.

It's a natural pest control method where you lightly sprinkle flour (just like all-purpose flour from Walmart) on the plants being attacked. Soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites, and even cabbage worms are disrupted by it, either by the plants becoming harder to feed on or by dehydrating the pests.

But, as with all hacks, using flour for pest control does come with a couple words of warning. It can be used as a short-term deterrent, but in the long-term can hinder plant health and potentially attract rodents. Here, I explain more about why this hack works and how to use it correctly to protect your plants this spring and summer.

How Does Flour Deter Garden Pests?

Many spring garden pests can be deterred by flour. In particular, it's most effective as a defence against aphids, mites, cabbage worms, and other soft-bodied destructive pests.

It works by lightly sprinkling flour on, or around, vulnerable plants. When the pests then try to feed on them, the flour gums up in their mouths and makes it harder to continue feeding on the plant.

In other cases, flour can dry out pests' bodies and dehydrate them, much the same as diatomaceous earth (you can purchase diatomaceous earth from Amazon).

However, it isn't just a case of chucking loads of flour on your plants. This often does more harm than good. Instead, you should follow a few rules when trying this hack.

How to Use Flour to Deter Garden Pests

If you're planning to use flour to deter garden pests, you should proceed carefully.

Just like using spices to deter garden pests, putting a thick layer of flour on plant leaves can block plant pores, known as stomata, which can inhibit essential processes like photosynthesis and stunt growth.

Not only this, but leaving flour on foliage can encourage the development of powdery mildew and mold as it gets wet and turns into a paste.

As food, it can also attract rodents, ants, and other unwanted pests to your yard.

So to avoid these issues, you should only use flour to deter garden pests as a short-term solution.

Lightly sprinkle flour on the plant that is being attacked, let it do it's thing, and then wash it away a day or two later. You can use a watering can with a rose spout (like this from Wayfair) to gently rinse the leaves.

You can also create a flour boundary around plants to form a physical barrier that stops pests in their tracks. Once again, you should take care to remove this once the pest problem subsides, as it can attract unwanted backyard visitors and encourage fungal issues.

Shop Pest Control Solutions

There are so many more chemical-free ways to deter pests in your yard. For example, you can incorporate the scents garden pests hate and grow pest-repellent plants, such as these marigolds from Walmart.

If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?

Lily beetles cause headaches for all growers of these stunning plants. As spring is a key time when the adults are actively feeding and start laying eggs, gardeners should keep a close eye on their lilies this month.

Left to their devices, adult lily beetles and their larvae can cause huge damage and even stop bulbs from flowering again. Close monitoring for signs of pests and their damage means you can start controlling them more quickly. You can handpick them from the plants or spray sunflower oil to combat active pesky larvae – but it needs to be done carefully.

Whether you have them in borders or grow lilies in pots, your plants are at risk of the lily beetle. Here we reveal the signs to look for and the best methods to get rid of these unwanted pests so your lilies keep putting on a performance year after year.

All About the Lily Beetle

The lily beetle, also known as the scarlet lily beetle, red lily beetle, or lily leaf beetle, is a pest that came over from Europe and has spread across the US since the early 1990s.

The troublesome summer garden pests are small, only 6-8 mm long, with a scarlet-red body and black legs. The adults start feeding once the lilies break through the soil, typically in spring, and lay hundreds of eggs on the underside of leaves.

The larvae feed voraciously before pupating into adult bugs that overwinter in soil or plant debris, to emerge again in spring and start the cycle again.

Lily beetles are good at camouflage and protection. When disturbed, they drop from plants and lie upside down, where their dark undersides are hard to spot against the ground.

The larvae have an unappealing habit of covering themselves in their own excrement, both for camouflage and to deter predators – plus it puts gardeners off picking them from the plant.

The Signs of Lily Beetles to Look For

Lily beetles feed predominantly on lilies and fritillaries, and these are the only plants on which they lay eggs and complete their life cycle. The pests are known to feed on lily of the valley, Solomon’s seal, nicotiana, hollyhock, and potatoes, but not daylilies, canna lilies, or calla lilies.

Adults and larvae mostly eat the foliage, but will also target stems and developing buds at times.

Lotte Berendsen, an expert from the PlantIn app, explains what to look out for during the season. She says: ‘The adults leave small, circular holes in your lilies’ leaves, while the larvae feed away at the bottom, leaving dry and brown patches.’

‘You may find tiny orange-colored eggs on the bottom of the leaves; they are usually laid in clusters,’ adds Lotte.

In most cases, lilies can cope with the damage, provided action is taken. However, large infestations can defoliate plants, destroy flowers, and ultimately cause the lily to not bloom the following year.

It is advisable to monitor plants in the spring for signs of early damage and the presence of eggs. The key times to be vigilant are in April and May when the beetles emerge, and from May to midsummer, when the adults start laying their eggs on the underside of leaves.

How to Control the Lily Beetle

The best way to control lily beetles is to handpick them from the plants. Scour the leaves (including the underside) and pick them off, dropping them into a container filled with soapy water.

If you place a light cloth or piece of paper under the plant, you’ll be able to spot any adults that drop off and roll over to reveal their darker undersides. Remember, gloves are definitely recommended for handpicking larvae and their unsanitary habits.

An organic, unconventional way to control lily beetles is to spray the plants with sunflower oil. Brandon Runyon, an entomologist with Swat Pest Management, explains how sunflower oil works through suffocation. He says: ‘The oil blocks the spiracles, so the beetle cannot breathe.’

Lotte Berendsen adds that while 100% sunflower oil works best on larvae, it will impact adults, too, just not in the same way.

‘Sunflower oil works best on larvae, as these are soft-bodied and vulnerable,’ she says. ‘It also creates a barrier on the leaves, making it harder for both the larvae and the adult beetles to feed. But adult Lily Beetles have a shell that can protect them.’

Spraying sunflower oil only treats active infestations, rather than being preventative, and only has a temporary effect, so it would need multiple applications. You can get bottles of organic 100% sunflower oil at Walmart.

There are cautions to using sunflower oil to control lily beetles. Primarily, be careful what you spray, as it could also harm beneficial insects if they are caught in the crossfire. But, overall, the oil won’t have long-term impacts on insects in the garden.

Both insecticidal soap (get ready-to-use insecticidal soap at Walmart) and neem oil (get ready-to-use neem oil at Amazon) have been shown to kill larvae. However, these also pose risks to other soft-bodied insects and will need to be reapplied at least once a week.

There are other recommended natural pest control methods. If you grow lilies as part of a wildlife garden and use companion planting to attract birds, beetles, and frogs to your yard, these are all natural predators of the lily beetle larvae and will help to control populations.

For showstopping displays from your lilies year after year, it is advisable to feed them. You should fertilize lilies in spring to give them all the nutrients they need for the summer blooming. The best type of feed to use at this time of year is a balanced fertilizer, such as this 10-10-10 plant food at Walmart.

And if you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?

Every gardener knows the perils of pest control – especially in the spring. And if you're keen to deter mice from your yard right now, there's one non-toxic trick you need to know about: vinegar. Diluted with water and sprayed on both garden borders and furniture, it carries a scent strong enough to repel rodents.

After months spent tending to your plants and sprucing up your yard, there's nothing that dampens the mood quite like spotting mice or rats – but you don't need to fork out on traps or use harsh chemicals. Often, the best way to keep mice out of your yard is to use natural pest control methods.

It might sound dubious, but vinegar really can help you deter mice from your garden furniture and your plants. Below, a pest control expert explain why – and shares their best tips on how to use this humble pantry staple effectively.

How to Use Vinegar to Deter Mice in Your Yard

Vinegar works in the same way as other common deterrents, such as peppermint (which you'll find in plenty of popular products such as rodent repellent pouches, like these from Walmart, or peppermint oil repellent spray, like this one from Home Depot.)

These are just a few of the many smells that mice and rats hate – which is why they can be used to protect everything from your patio furniture to your raised beds.

Yet it isn't the scent of these deterrents themselves that acts as a repellent; instead, their odor serves to overpower and even neutralize other smells. This is what disorients rodents, making them less likely to seek out the food sources that would otherwise attract them.

'It’s not necessarily the harsh scent that makes vinegar useful,' explains Nicole Carpenter, President at Black Pest Prevention. 'It's actually the acetic acid that neutralizes chemical compounds and removes mice-attracting smells.'

So, while cleaning with vinegar might be a common household hack, this simple ingredient is just as useful outdoors.

If you've noticed mice in your garden, you'll most likely find them in garden beds, which they use for shelter, and compost bins, which they use as a source of food. With this in mind, you can spray vinegar along your garden borders and around compost bins and lids to keep mice away.

'Vinegar is more useful as a cleaning tool than an active mouse repellent,' advises Nicole. 'In the garden, vinegar can help remove mice-attracting odors from patio tables, trash cans, compost bin lids, or even outdoor furniture in vacation homes after long periods of vacancy.'

You can dilute vinegar with water and dispense it using plastic spray bottles (which you can buy from Amazon). Alternatively, you can stock up on specially-formulated vinegar cleaning sprays like this one, also from Amazon.

To create a simple DIY cleaning solution, 'mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water,' says Nicole. 'Apply it only to hard, non-porous surfaces, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe the surface clean.'

While this is a brilliant way to effectively 'seal off' borders and surfaces from rodents, it's crucial not to spray the solution directly onto your plants.

'Never spray vinegar directly on your plants, lawn or soil because vinegar is an acid and can damage vegetation,' confirms Nicole. Vinegar is, in fact, a natural herbicide that kills crops.

It's also important to note that vinegar is a quick fix rather than a long-term solution – primarily because its odor weakens over time.

'Vinegar may be unpleasant to mice for a short time, but outdoors its scent fades in a couple of hours and stops working,' Nicole summarizes. 'This makes it a better cleaning solution rather than a standalone mice repellent.'

With this in mind, you can easily use vinegar solutions to protect garden surfaces, but you will have to reapply them daily for optimal results. It's also worth investing in rodent-proof garden essentials such as a heavy-duty trash can lock, like this one from Amazon, and secure patio storage boxes, like this one from Walmart.

For more natural pest control tips, check out our guide to the best mouse-repellent plants, or take a look at our tips on how to get rid of mice from a garage.

If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?

Birds, for all their many positives, can be a nuisance when they decide to eat newly sown seeds or nibble on seedlings. They are only after an easy, convenient food source, but it is a pain. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to stop birds from eating seeds and seedlings.

As a gardener who has seen seeds disappear and lost brassica seedlings to hungry birds before, I know the frustration. But I have also found simple ways to prevent it from happening again. Planting seeds deeply, covering seeds and seedlings, and using deterrents are proven ways to prevent pigeons, sparrows, blackbirds, finches, and more from targeting your new plants.

As well as knowing how to stop birds from eating grass seed, it always pays to know the best methods for protecting seeds and young plants in flower beds and vegetable gardens. I have my own tried and tested methods, but I also spoke to other experts to see what they recommend.

How to Stop Birds From Eating Seeds and Seedlings

Birds can wreck new seeds and seedlings, especially in a kitchen garden where the likes of peas, beans, and brassicas are always a temptation for them. Fresh seeds are attractive as an easy food source, especially when sitting on the surface, and tender seedlings can be a target as they provide valuable nutrients.

The simplest ways to stop birds from eating seeds are easy to achieve, and here are three expert-approved methods:

1. Always Cover Seeds When Sowing

When you sow seeds outdoors, undoubtedly the easiest way to stop them becoming an easy snack for local birds is to make sure they are covered.

Seeds just scattered onto the surface are an easy win for the birds that will love to target exposed seeds, so don’t play into their hands and make that basic seed-sowing mistake, as you can all too quickly lose all those potential plants.

‘It’s beneficial for gardeners and plants to cover seeds lightly, so they’re not tempting birds,’ says Patricia Schnieder, senior horticulturist at Newfields in Indianapolis, Indiana.

‘Potting soil can be sprinkled over top if something light is needed (sometimes soil is too heavy), otherwise you can rake your seeds in with the back side of a rake or run a garden weasel cultivator over the surface for shallow coverage.’

You can get organic potting mix at Burpee to cover seeds if you want to try this tactic.

For added protection, some larger vegetable seeds can be planted slightly deeper than the recommended rate to protect them from being eaten, including pea, bean, corn, pumpkin, and squash seeds. It is not advisable to sow smaller seeds too deeply, as they won’t germinate when buried.

An alternative is to sow seeds indoors and transplant the seedlings out into the garden once they are larger. This will depend on how much space you have to start vegetable seeds indoors, and even when transplanted, seedlings can still be at risk of birds.

Unless you use method two.

2. Use Physical Barriers

This is one tactic I have religiously done for many years, especially when planting brassicas (after previous disappointments), but really for most of my crops.

Vegetable garden netting is not only an essential way to keep caterpillars away from plants, but it will stop birds from eating seedlings after you transplant your cabbage, kale, or broccoli plants.

‘One of the best things you can do to keep birds away from your seeds is to install netting over the area,’ says David Joles from PURCOR Pest Solutions. ‘With animals like birds or squirrels, physical barriers tend to be the most effective.’

This opinion is echoed by Patricia Schnieder, who admits that birds don’t respond to some triggers that work on other animals, such as using cayenne pepper to deter squirrels or using spices to deter garden pests.

‘Birds don’t respond to deterrents that rely on a trigger response as a repellent because their receptors are designed differently from those of mammals,’ she says. ‘Generally, physical barriers are going to be the most consistent and environmentally friendly option for most home gardeners.’

Fine garden netting allows light, water, and air to reach seedlings but provides a valuable physical barrier preventing unwanted visitors from getting in and nibbling the plants. However, it is important to securely peg down the edges to stop birds from getting in or getting stuck in the barrier.

Garden netting (such as this ultra-fine netting at Amazon) or lightweight row covers are the best materials to put over crops to stop birds from eating seeds or seedlings. The material should be laid over hoops and then secured to the ground. You can use landscape staples like these at Amazon.

3. Install Deterrents

While smell or taste repellents don’t work in deterring birds, what is more impactful is using light, noise, or decoys as a deterrent.

An old-school tactic for vegetable gardens is to hang shiny objects over seeds or seedlings. You can use old CDs, DVDs, mirrors, or aluminum foil to deter pests.

It shouldn’t be treated as an absolute failsafe method, but reflective surfaces catch the light as they do spin in the air, and this scares away birds – at least for a time.

You can get spinning bird deterrents at Amazon to hang around the garden to scare birds away.

Decoys can also be placed around the vegetable garden to deter birds. These include fake predator birds or rubber snakes, such as this two-pack of fake owls at Amazon.

The key aspect with any of these lights or decoys is moving them regularly. Otherwise, the birds learn not to be afraid if they never move.

Maybe one of the easiest ways to stop birds from eating seeds or seedlings is to add more ways to feed birds to your yard. Providing readily available food can prevent them from targeting things you’d rather they didn’t. Maybe the best place to start is this guide on where to place a bird feeder.

If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?

Every gardener will know at least a few unconventional ways to keep pests away from their precious plants, and sheep wool is a brilliant example. It might not be front of mind when you think of ways to protect your yard, but this all-natural material can be a saving grace.

In fact, wool doesn't just deter pests; it can also serve as a fantastic fertilizer, and it even improves soil moisture. But if you're particularly keen to prevent slugs and snails from destroying your crops this spring, wool can solve that problem, too.

Providing a non-toxic and sustainable alternative to harsh pesticides, horticultural wool is a wonderfully versatile addition to your gardening toolkit. (And it couldn't be easier to find bags of sheep wool at retailers like Amazon.)

Can Wool Really Deter Garden Pests?

While we all know that wool is a brilliant source of insulation, it's also an unsung hero when it comes to creating a thriving, eco-friendly garden.

Many gardeners value wool as a natural, biodegradable resource, and it can be used for everything from mulching plants to starting seeds.

Crucially, however, its unique texture makes it a highly effective way to both get rid of slugs and get rid of snails in your yard.

'If you add wool to your garden, snails and slugs will not pass over it because there are little barbs in the fibers,' explains Bailey van Tassel, kitchen garden designer and author of Kitchen Garden Living. (You can check out Bailey's Tennessee greenhouse in our Potting Shed column.)

Thanks to these spiky fibers, wool acts as a natural pest control method: simply separate it into sections and tuck a thin layer around the base of your plants to deter snails and slugs from approaching the leaves.

This is particularly useful if you're thinking of growing low-lying fruits, or starting a vegetable garden; slugs and snails gravitate toward brassica plants like cabbages and cauliflower, so adding a layer of wool can keep your prized crops safe.

However, this isn't the only benefit: in spite of its coarse texture, wool is highly absorbent, making it ideal for improving soil moisture.

Even small amounts of wool can absorb plenty of water before releasing it slowly back into the soil, helping you to water your plants without lifting a finger. (If you're curious, you can always monitor water levels using a soil moisture meter, like this one from Walmart.)

'Wool itself creates porosity, so it's both adding air into the soil and holding water,' explains Bailey. 'Plus, it will fully decompose over about six months and release nitrogen, which helps to fertilize plants.' Wool pellets (which you can find at Amazon) are ideal for adding to soil, and you can even buy organic wool fertilizer, also from Amazon.

Of course, if you're looking for other natural approaches to pest control, planting is just as important – pest-repellent plants are a non-toxic and budget-friendly approach.

Lavender, alliums and rosemary are among the best slug-repellent plants you can choose, whether you add them to borders or incorporate them into a vegetable patch.

Meanwhile, bird feeders and bird baths are another priority; attracting birds to your garden will always help to keep pests at bay, as many bird species love to feast on slugs, snails, caterpillars and moths.

What to Shop

Wool is a brilliant way to deter pests and keep soil healthy, but you might be wondering: are snails and slugs actually good for your backyard? We asked experts to reveal all.

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

Ticks are one of those garden pests most of us would rather not think about – but they’re worth paying attention to. These tiny, blood-sucking insects aren’t just unpleasant; they can also pass on harmful diseases to both people and pets. Making your garden less inviting to them is one of the simplest ways to protect your outdoor space.

The good news is that planting choices can make a real difference. Just as with mosquito- or snail-repelling varieties, several tick repellent plants work by targeting one key weakness: their sense of smell. Ticks rely on scent to find hosts, so strong, fragrant flowers and plants can help throw them off and make your garden far less appealing.

If you’re going to start with just one, growing lavender is a brilliant choice. Beyond its calming fragrance and soft purple blooms, it quietly works to make your garden less attractive to pests, including ticks. Its aromatic oils – particularly linalool – are known for their insect-repelling properties, making it as practical as it is beautiful.

Lavender is one of those rare plants that really does it all – looks good, smells incredible, and helps you create a garden that feels more comfortable to spend time in.

How to Use Lavender for Tick Protection

Lavender really comes into its own when you treat it as part of a wider companion planting scheme rather than a standalone feature. It’s lovely on its own, of course, but when you weave it in with other fragrant, oil-rich plants, the effect is much stronger – both visually and practically. Ticks are incredibly sensitive to scent, so a garden filled with aromatic plants naturally feels less inviting to them.

For example, I’ve planted NatureZ Edge English Lavender Seeds in my backyard alongside Petite French Marigold Seeds from Amazon. Both are easy to grow, fragrant, and work beautifully together, creating a vibrant, multi-sensory border that not only looks stunning but also helps deter pests. I'll soon be adding the best-selling Phenomenal™ Lavender Plant from Fast Growing Trees to my flower beds, too.

Where you place it makes a difference, too. Try tucking lavender along paths, edging lawns, or around seating areas – anywhere you’re likely to brush past it and catch that scent as you move through the garden. Ticks tend to linger in damper, shadier corners, so planting lavender in sunnier, more open spots helps create a kind of gentle buffer between those areas and the spaces you actually use.

‘I’ve always thought of lavender as more than just a pretty face in the garden,’ says Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. ‘It’s one of those plants that quietly does everything well. There’s the obvious beauty and that unmistakable scent, but it also plays a really practical role in how a garden feels and functions. I often use it to shape spaces – planting it along pathways or near seating so you catch the fragrance as you pass. It creates a soft, sensory layer that makes the garden feel more immersive, but also a bit more considered.

It’s never about relying on one plant to do all the work, but when lavender is used thoughtfully, alongside other aromatic planting and good garden care, it helps tip the balance. You end up with a space that not only looks and smells beautiful, but also feels less appealing to pests like ticks – which, for most of us, is exactly what we’re after.’

Companion Planting for Extra Protection

You can boost lavender’s tick-repelling qualities quite easily by planting it alongside other fragrant, aromatic varieties.

Think rosemary, thyme, sage, or even marigolds – plants that not only pair beautifully with lavender but also bring their own strong scents into the mix. Marigold flowers are also known to help deter squirrels, making them a smart, multi-purpose choice for a pest-repellent garden.

When you layer these together, you’re creating more than just a pretty border. It becomes a kind of soft, multi-sensory barrier that ticks are far less likely to cross. The result feels intentional rather than functional – a garden that looks cohesive, smells wonderful, and quietly works a little harder behind the scenes.

One of the best things about lavender is how easy it is to grow. Give it a sunny spot and well-drained soil – even if the soil isn’t perfect – and it will reward you with months of soft purple blooms and that unmistakable, calming fragrance. It doesn’t ask for much; a simple trim after flowering is usually enough to keep it looking neat and encourage fresh new growth.

Lavender is also incredibly versatile. It works just as well in a relaxed garden edging as it does in a gravel garden or a container on the patio. No matter where you plant it, you get that gentle scent and graceful movement, and it will make your garden a little less appealing to ticks. It’s one of those rare plants that’s beautiful, practical, and almost effortless at the same time.

Shop Lavender Essentials

It’s worth remembering that lavender isn’t a magic solution for ticks, and there may be other things in your yard that attract ticks.

However, it can definitely help reduce their presence, but it works best alongside good garden habits – keeping the grass trimmed, clearing away leaf litter, and letting sunlight reach shady corners. Lavender also prefers sunny, well-drained spots, so avoid heavy, waterlogged soil, and a light trim after it flowers will keep it looking neat and healthy.

Even with those small considerations, lavender is a plant that really earns its place in the garden. It’s vibrant, fragrant, and adds color, scent, and a touch of natural pest protection. When planted in the right places, it’s one of those rare plants that can do little wrong.

There's nothing more exciting than heading out in the garden in early spring and seeing fresh growth, signalling your plants are waking from dormancy. But, simply trusting they'll grow happy and strong isn't enough for a successful season. Without careful monitoring, they could get destroyed by aphids.

If you've already dealt with getting rid of aphids before, you know how destructive they can be. In early spring, new aphids hatch and look for soft, fresh growth to devour. Spotting them and removing them as soon as possible is key to not only protecting tender and young plants, but also stopping the aphid population in your yard expanding beyond control.

Luckily, it's simple and quick to check for aphids in early spring and they're relatively straightforward to get rid of if you do find them lurking on your plants. Here, gardening experts advise.

Why Check for Aphids in Early Spring?

You should check for aphids in early spring to save your spring garden, so add it right to the top of your spring gardening checklist.

Aphids lay eggs in fall on winter hosts (primarily woody shrubs and trees). When the temperatures warm up in early spring, they hatch.

This coincides right with the host plant's buds opening, so aphids are in the optimal spot to start feeding on them.

'The plant bud is actually the most nutritious part of the plant because it contains a high concentration of sugars and other essential plant nutrients needed for growth,' says garden pest expert, Nicole Carpenter.

'Aphids use so much energy reproducing and these are exactly what they need. Buds are also softer than any other plant parts, making them easy for aphids to pierce,' she explains.

Not checking for aphids and letting them take over risks your shrubs and trees being devoured. With no buds, there won't be much growth this season, and it will severely weaken the plant's health.

But it isn't just your trees and shrubs that are at risk. You need to check for aphids in early spring so that you stop their rapid reproduction.

As the season continues and tree and shrub growth hardens, aphids turn their attention to soft new growth on kitchen garden crops and ornamental garden plants.

'Aphids steal sugars and amino acids meant for the plant growth for their own growth. It can weaken young shoots and developing buds, but healthy, established plants usually quickly recover,' Nicole explains.

'If aphids are present in large numbers, or if aphids are infected with plant viruses, it can lead to plant death,' she warns.

So, failing to check for aphids in early spring really can lead to your entire garden coming under attack.

How to Check for Aphids in Early Spring

When checking for aphids in early spring, you're looking for pear-shaped green or black insects.

'Aphids cluster on the underside of young leaves, leaving sticky honeydew and sometimes causing curling or distortion,' says Siobhan Shaw, gardening expert and founder of Growing to Give.

You should likewise regularly check new shoots and flower buds, as these spring garden pests target a wide range of plants.

As Siobhan notes, a symptom of aphid damage is distorted leaves and you may also spot the sticky residue they leave behind.

If there's a large presence of ants on and around plants, this can also suggest there may be aphids. This is because these insects have a symbiotic relationship where ants 'farm' aphids for their honeydew and in return herd and protect them from predators, like ladybugs.

While not found on fresh growth, you should also be aware of root aphids in early spring. They can be harder to spot as they feed on roots rather than leaves. Symptoms of root aphid damage include stunted growth, wilting, and yellowing leaves.

What to Do if You Spot Them

If you do find aphids on new growth in early spring, it's key to act fast to get rid of them.

'A strong spray of water and pruning heavily infested leaves (with these sharp Fiskars pruning shears on Amazon) keeps them under control,' Siobhan suggests.

'Right after blasting them with your garden hose, spray insecticidal soap (which you can purchase from Amazon) on the plant, fully coating the buds, stems, and undersides of leaves,' Nicole adds.

'You need to repeat this treatment three times total, taking a break of three days between them, to be sure the aphids are gone,' she advises.

You can also look into what eats aphids. More specifically, you can employ the help of ladybugs who prey on aphids and help manage the population naturally.

You can actually purchase ladybugs on Amazon for this purpose, or use methods to attract ladybugs to your yard.

'Neem oil for plants also helps get rid of aphids, and it's organic and safe for plants,' Siobhan adds.

You can find neem oil for plants at Walmart.

FAQs

Can You Squish Aphids?

Removing aphids by hand and squishing them is one of the most straightforward ways to get rid of them, especially if there are only a couple. Take care to wear gloves (you might find gardening gloves like these from Walmart preferable) to protect your skin.

Shop Natural Pest Control

Not only should you check for aphids in early spring in the yard, you should also look for aphids on houseplants and take steps to get rid of them before they wipe out your indoor garden.

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

If you've ever run into a problem with carpenter bees, you know just how destructive they can be. They drill holes in wooden structures, weakening them and making them unsightly. But, you don't have to turn to harmful pesticides – a carpenter bee trap offers a much more humane, chemical-free way to contain and remove them.

I'm always pro natural pest control solutions which is why I think these traps are a kinder way to get rid of carpenter bees. Take the Best Bee Brothers carpenter bee trap on Amazon, for example. It's a wooden box that resembles a nesting site. When the carpenter bees enter, they're led to a clear vessel flooded with daylight which they'll continue to fly towards, keeping them contained.

It's most efficient if you place a carpenter bee trap near vulnerable wooden structures. On the current deal of two traps for $46.74 in the Amazon Spring Sale, you can maximize trapping opportunities by placing them in different spots, keeping your pergolas, fences, and decks safe. Customers who have already bought them express 'these carpenter bee traps really work' capturing destructive bees as soon as the first day of being installed. So if you're tired of your wooden structures being damaged, carpenter bee traps offer an eco-friendly, quick, and easy solution.

Do Carpenter Bee Traps Really Work?

If you haven't come across one before, you may feel a little skeptical about carpenter bee traps, but they've become an essential for dealing with these destructive insects.

Carpenter bees are attracted to the traps because they look for softwood to drill into and nest in. The fact the traps have an entry hole already make it easy for them to enter.

What I find clever about the Best Bee Brothers trap is the fact the wooden box is lined with plastic and the entry holes are drilled at an angle, so you can be sure the bees won't escape.

Plus, the aeration of the design releases pheromones from trapped dead bees, luring other carpenter bees in. You can even get bee bait (like this from Amazon) to put inside for the same effect.

Once inside, the carpenter bees will continuously try to fly towards the daylight of the clear vessel, keeping them contained.

The entry holes are drilled at an upward angle, making it even trickier for the bees to back through and escape.

What Shoppers Say

The Best Bee Brothers carpenter bee trap has a 4.1-star rating with reviews expressing just how efficiently it works.

'These traps work so well. We put a dead bee in the trap and had 8-10 bees by the next afternoon. No poison needed. Easy disposal,' one five-star reviewer writes.

'One bee goes in and cannot get out, and after a while there are a bunch of dead bees in the trap,' another describes.

The lid of the trap can be removed to place bait inside, like the person above describes. Once you need to empty the trap, you can use the spring-loaded release to do it sanitarily and with ease.

As for installation, customers have had no trouble putting these traps in place.

'The cages were easy to use and put up, and they're very well-made. Instructions were easy to follow and they're priced well,' one shopper writes.

'The design and appearance make it nice addition to the back porch and they are barely noticeable,' they add.

Of course, the carpenter bee traps are made of wood to recreate a natural nesting site. This makes them quite attractive and easy to subtly slot into the garden without being an eyesore.

One five-star reviewer offers the tip to take an additional step for extra success: '[I filled] existing holes in my fence posts with spray foam and between the two, I see no more bees boring holes.

'This is not my first purchase of these carpenter bee traps and I knew they worked. Simple design, but effective,' they add.

In fact, for many of the shoppers, these traps have encouraged welcomed bee activity:

'They still stop by for the flowers, which I'm happy about,' one person shares.

There's only one downside I can find about the Best Bee Brothers carpenter bee traps: 'You need many to cover around a house or deck, and they are pretty expensive,' one customer writes.

This means they may not be the most affordable solution if you have a large yard with extensive carpenter bee activity, though purchasing once means you'll save possibly thousands of dollars of damage to large wooden structures.

Plus, the current Amazon deal of two for $46.74 makes each trap quite affordable, especially considering they're well-made and durable.

In any case, if you have a carpenter bee infestation, it might be best to call for professional pest control help to solve the issue. You can then consider installing a bee trap as a preventative measure for the future.

Shop Non-Toxic Pest Control

There are other ways you can deter carpenter bees from you yard without using harmful chemicals and pesticides. For example, you can try using natural repellents for carpenter bees.

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

Gophers are a huge problem for gardeners in much of the US, destroying plants from Minnesota (nicknamed the 'Gopher State') to California, and even Florida. Any yard where the soil conditions suit their tunnelling tastes or is brimming with food sources is likely to attract these destructive creatures.

In fact, there are several mistakes attracting gophers to your yard you may be unknowingly making. From leaving entry points open, to not protecting your most vulnerable plants, and even overwatering your yard, there are numerous things that make a garden more appealing to them. Identifying these problem points is the first step to getting rid of gophers.

To help you out, I take a closer look at the top five reasons you might be under attack from these hungry critters, so you can stop gophers eating your prized plants and keep their numbers down using natural pest control methods – including using these peppermint oil rodent repellents on Amazon.

1. You’re Giving Gophers Free Entry to Your Backyard

In states like Nebraska, Kansas and Texas, gophers appreciate the flat, open terrain that makes burrowing and foraging easy. And they make no distinction between open country and private backyard.

So, if your yard is open, they’ll come right in and dig their tunnel networks. These are where they hunker down for shelter and protection, and where they stash often huge hoards of food.

For this reason, one of the best things you can do is install barriers under the ground (gophers can burrow 3ft deep). You could also install deep garden fencing, blocking gophers from getting in.

Important, too, is the material and mesh size of your chosen barrier. The most durable barriers are made of stainless steel (like this wire mesh from Amazon), while a mesh size of 3/4" will keep even young gophers out and allow plant roots, worms and water to move freely.

2. You’re Leaving Plants Unprotected

If you suspect gophers are to blame for failing plants, the tell-tale signs will be there in the form of piles of loose soil at the entrances to their tunnels.

But, you’re not necessarily nothing wrong, says Nicole Carpenter, President at Black Pest Prevention: ‘Gophers may want to explore any yard, even if there's nothing super attractive – that's because almost any yard has grass roots, plant roots, and areas with soft soil that they love.’

Because gophers are underground dwellers, preventative measures such as surface repellents or noise stakes won’t help.

However, what can work, says Nicole, are underground barriers: ‘You can either install gopher wire baskets (like these from Walmart) around specific plants you want to protect or put in gopher wire around garden beds or lawn — the key is to bury it 22-24" deep.’

Of course baskets are much simpler to install around new plants, but there’s no reason why you can’t dig up existing plants and kit them out with gopher-proof baskets before replanting.

To avoid shocking your plants, make sure you dig them out with plenty of soil around the root ball, ideally during late autumn or winter in their season of dormancy.

The fibrous root system will eventually make its way outside of the basket, but the main roots of your plants will remain protected inside.

Shop for gopher baskets at Amazon – they come in a huge range of sizes, starting at 1 gallon.

3. You’re Growing Gophers’ Favourite Snacks

Gophers love all kinds of different plants, from grass roots to bulb and flowers, but some of their go-to meals include tubers and root vegetables, as both are energy dense and easily available – they don’t even have to come out from underground.

So, if you’re planning a kitchen garden, do factor in gopher protection to keep all your hard-won harvests from ending up in a gopher larder underground.

Laying gopher wire below any new veg beds 2-3ft deep should stop these furry fiends gaining entry from below, while a firmly secured protective cage above ground will keep them from nibbling at anything else.

'To protect raised garden beds from gophers, you can use gopher wire or hardware cloth, but install it horizontally under the bed to make it work as a protective floor,' says Nicole.

'It's crucial to bend the wire up along the inside edges of the bed by about 2-4". This creates a small lip that blocks gophers from squeezing in through the corners where the bottom meets the sides. Don't use plastic garden mesh or chicken wire because gophers can chew through it,' she adds.

Shop for gopher wire at Ace Hardware.

4. You’re Overwatering Your Backyard

As well as appreciating a reliable source of easy-access and nutritious food, gophers love to burrow and are attracted to backyards that have plenty of soft, easy-to-dig soil. It’s not that they like wet soil in particular, but loose, damp soil often makes it easier to tunnel through.

‘Mulched garden beds and raised beds are perfect spots for gophers because they mean moist and soft soil that's easy to dig in,’ says Nicole.

‘In areas with gopher activity, it's crucial to avoid overwatering as overwatered garden beds and lawns with constant irrigation are major attractants,' she explains.

Of course plants need water, but perhaps you could afford to cut back on lawn irrigation. Grass is a tough plant and the majority of lawns will easily survive a dry spell and spring back into life after the next spell of rain.

If you're putting in a lawn, consider a drought-tolerant grass species to help combat any gopher issues. When it comes to beds and borders, choose drought-resistant planting here too and look for ways to reduce watering, including directing water right at the base of your plants, during their first growing season only, in order to get those roots deeply established where they can then find their own water source.

You can also use an irrigation system on a timer (like this kit from Amazon) to prevent excessive watering.

Mulching your backyard can also encourage gophers for the same reasons. If you’re relying heavily on mulch to retain the moisture in your soil, then you’re contributing to that easy-dig earth that gophers love.

Again, try direct, targeted watering instead and cut back on the mulching.

5. You’re Growing the Wrong Ornamental Plants

If you’d rather tackle the problem of gophers in your yard by adjusting your planting, then there’s plenty that can be learned.

Although on the whole gophers don’t seem to be particularly choosy when it comes to plant material, it does seem that there are some species that they rarely, or never, touch.

The first of these is euphorbias, a large group of plants that contain toxic milky white sap. These include varieties such as Euphorbia characias (hardiness zones 6-10), with its vibrant lime-green spring flowers and handsome grey-green foliage – you can purchase Euphorbia characias starter plants on Amazon.

Then there are the cactus-like euphorbias such as crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii – hardiness zones 9-11) and candelabra cactus (Euphorbia ingens – zones 10-11), which are happiest in dry, desert-like conditions.

Lavender (US hardiness zones 5-9) and rosemary (zones 8-11) are also plants that gophers take little or no interest in, while members of the garlic family such as Tulbaghia violacea (society garlic) and pelargoniums seem to survive where gophers are active.

Shop rosemary at Perfect Plants Nursery and lavender starter plants at Walmart.

FAQs

Can You Use Peppermint Spray to Deter Gophers?

Yes, peppermint spray (like this from Amazon) can be used around the yard, vulnerable plants, and entry points to discourage gopher presence in your garden. You can also apply it directly to any tunnels you find.

Now you know the mistakes attracting gophers to your yard, you can turn your attention to preventative measures. Combining a range of the solutions above will provide stronger protection. Many of the ideas in our guide to keeping rats away from the yard will also work for gophers.

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

Shop Pest Control Solutions

There’s nothing mysterious about why squirrels are attracted to some yards more than others. With strong foraging and hoarding instincts, these furry creatures are usually on the hunt for food, and our gardens are often seen as a well-stocked and convenient pantry. But it might also be because you're making one or more of these six mistakes.

Knowing how to get rid of squirrels and how to get rid of ground squirrels humanely is key to protecting your crops, flowers and property from damage. Prevention is highly effective so it pays to know more about the habits of these agile, furry visitors so you can identify the what is capturing their attention, and make them less attractive.

From top dressing and disguising tasty flower bulbs to opting for smart bird feeders (like this squirrel-proof bird feeder on Amazon), there are plenty of nifty ways to persuade squirrels to leave your yard and go elsewhere. But first, you need to identify the problem area – here are six mistakes attracting squirrels to your yard.

1. Leaving Fallen Fruit on the Ground

It’s simple but often overlooked – ripe windfalls that litter the ground beneath your fruit trees are an easy-win for ever-hungry squirrels.

‘Fallen fruit is one that nobody thinks about,’ explains garden expert Gerardo Loayza, CEO and Founder of Bacqyard.

‘Everybody worries about bird feeders, but that rotting apple under your tree is squirrel bait that needs to be cleaned up.’

Make clearing up fallen apples, pears and other orchard fruit a cinch with these straight edged Leaf Scoops from Amazon and be sure to add them to a covered or in-ground composter, such as this from Walmart, to break down and enrich the soil, well away from furry friends.

2. Not Protecting Your Bird Feeder

It’s good to feed birds into the yard, but laying out a feast of seed, nuts and cracked corn 24/7 is an open invite to nearby squirrels.

With a voracious appetite and strong hoarding instincts they will happily empty any feeders or bird tables, stashing their gains in the flower borders, lawn or wherever is convenient.

Solve the issue by rationing offerings, refilling feeders little and often, or alternatively invest in specially designed feeders that exclude our furry friends.

Using baffles to deter squirrels in your garden is one very effective idea and we particularly like this Squirrel Buster feeder from Amazon with it’s clever weight activated shroud.

Placing bird food within easy of reach of your yard’s perimeter is another mistake that's easy to remedy.

‘If your bird feeder or container is within 8-10 ft of a fence or a tree branch, any squirrel is making that jump,’ says Gerardo.

Remove problem branches easily using geared, heavy duty loppers such as these from Walmart.

Our guide to keeping squirrels away from bird feeders has more advice.

3. Leaving Flowering Bulbs Exposed

Ever spent time diligently planting flower bulbs, with visions of springtime color, only to return the next day to find them dug up and gone? Well, sadly it’s all to common unless you take precautionary steps.

‘Bare soil after planting bulbs is basically a scent trail,’ says Gerardo.

‘You can lay chicken wire (like this from Amazon) flat over newly planted bulbs and cover with mulch to disguise it. The plants will push right through just fine in the spring,' he adds.

If you don’t fancy the idea of laying wire in the garden, then there are natural ways to protect bulbs. Horticulturalist Peggy Anne Montgomery suggests these alternatives.

‘Often, rodents are attracted to newly planted bulbs because they can smell them. Mask these scents through strategic planting or repellents.'

She continues, ‘try mixing bulbs favored with those distasteful to rodents. Pairing tulips and crocus – two grazer favorites – with daffodils, fritillaria, or hyacinths, that rodents are more likely to avoid can deter hungry critters from munching the bulbs and the blossoms in the spring.’

Spraying emerging bulbs with rodent and deer repellents also works well.

Peggy Anne continues, ‘Many all-natural repellents are available at garden centers and retailers that effectively keep small mammals away. Typically, they have an unpleasant smell to the rodents, deterring them from snacking.'

Try the Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent from Walmart.

4. Not Protecting Fruit Trees

Leaving ripening fruits such as apples, pears and juicy berries in situ and uncovered is a irresistible temptation for squirrels, as garden expert Lars Nyman, founder of vegetable growing platform Taim.io, explains.

'Squirrels are notorious for raiding fruit trees and devouring the harvest. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate ripe fruits, and they may nibble on both the fruit itself and the tree's buds, flowers and young shoots,' says Lars.

'By providing alternative food sources in your yard, you can keep squirrels away from fruit trees. Set up feeding stations with squirrel-friendly treats to divert their attention,' he adds.

There's a wide election of fun squirrel feeders, including designs that accommodate a variety of food (from Walmart) and even a squirrel feeder with an inbuilt Solar powered HD video camera (from Walmart).

5. Creating Appealing Nest Sites

Although some squirrels construct dreys from twigs, leaves and grass in the forks of trees to raise their young, others find openings in hollow trees, walls and a roof overhang irresistible.

Dark, sheltered and private, these cavity nests can quickly become a nuisance, harboring ticks and fleas, and if they happen to be near electrical cables, squirrels may gnaw on them.

The simple solution is to remove these nesting opportunities, but only after making sure that they are not in use and no young are present. If in doubt, consult pest control experts for the best course of action.

Holes in roof overhangs or soffits can be repaired or blocked using strong wire mesh such as fully welded stainless steel panels with 6mm holes from Amazon.

Our guide to getting rid of squirrels in the attic has more information.

6. Leaving Young Trees Exposed

There’s little more appetising to a squirrel than a fresh young sapling – or their bark, to be specific.

Leave the trunks or mainstems of these tender youngsters unprotected and long-term damage can be inflicted in minutes, especially during winter and early spring when other food is scarce.

Squirrels are adept at stripping off the outer layer of bark, with their teeth, to access the tasty and nutritious cambium layer underneath.

Protective, physical barriers, such as plastic and metal collars and tree guards, such as these from Amazon, are effective, but it is important to make sure that they are tall enough – out of jumping from ground height – and held firmly in place.

A further note from Gerardo is that, ‘people wrap trunks but forget the low branches. Squirrels strip bark from branches just as much.'

While spiral protectors can work, a natural squirrel spray repellent – such as this one from Amazon – can be easier to apply.

FAQs

Do Squirrels Eat Flowers?

Yes, squirrels do often eat flowers, including buds and bulbs. They target tender, sweet, and soft plant material, and can destroy entire flowerheads and bulbs. That's why it's important to put some precautions in place to protect your spring and summer garden display.

If none of these mistakes attracting squirrels to your yard apply to what's happening in your garden, take a closer look at your borders and the plants never to grow if you don't want to attract squirrels. It's also worth knowing how to keep squirrels out of the garden with this one common flower.

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

Squirrel-Proofing Essentials

There's no feeling quite so disappointing as spending time and effort carefully planting bulbs only to find they never come up because gophers, squirrels, and other rodents have got to them. Well, I'm avoiding the heartache this year by using wire planting baskets to get my bulbs in the ground safely and with ease.

It's one of those inventions I didn't know I needed for planting bulbs until I stumbled across it. Take a look at these Amazon wire planting baskets – their design is simple and their benefits expansive. It's essentially a steel mesh basket that you can pop your bulbs into and plant. It then acts as a guard from destructive pests and also makes lifting bulbs at the end of the season easier.

These Amazon wire bulb planting baskets have a 4.4-star rating and customers say they 'absolutely do what they're intended to do' protecting from a wide range of pests, plus they're 'very sturdy and easy to use.' Thanks to these, I can finally can get my spring planting done without the uncertainty of whether they'll make it to blooming.

Why Use Wire Planting Baskets?

If you have a problem with gophers, moles, and squirrels digging up bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, and plant roots in your yard, a wire planting basket might just be the thing that saves your spring garden.

It acts as a physical barrier that stops these pests that dig and burrow getting the to the plants. At the same time, the wire structure doesn't restrict root growth and is flexible, so the plants can grow healthily.

A big bonus is if you have bulbs or tubers that need lifting, for example like overwintering dahlias, the basket is easy to pull up, reducing the risk of damage to the plants.

Why Shoppers Love These Baskets

On paper these wire planting baskets make sense, but I do wonder how effective they are in practice. Well, the reviews reveal just how good they've been at keeping plants of all kinds safe from destructive pests.

'These baskets are a game-changer for anyone dealing with gophers, moles, or voles in their garden,' one five-star reviewer writes.

'We have a 'herd' of gophers. They killed protea plants and roses before we discovered these gopher guards. Now we use these for any new plant [and] have not lost any plants to gophers [since],' another adds.

'Voles keep killing my plants, chewing them off at the roots, this protects the new ones going in,' another describes. 'This is the insurance for all my new plants,' they add.

In terms of how to use them, it appears these Amazon wire planting baskets are pretty straightforward:

'I found that filling the bottom of the basket with soil first, before putting it into the hole, helped the basket to keep its shape better. It made it easier to then place my plant and finish filling the basket,' one reviewer describes.

'Much easier than lining the entire garden with chicken wire to keep the pesky gophers from destroying all the hard work,' another shopper writes.

'The included gloves are a thoughtful addition, making it easy to handle the baskets without any hassle. The instructions were clear, and I had no trouble setting them up around my plants,' someone else adds.

One of the best parts of this deal is that you get 30 baskets to work with, in a mix four different sizes, so they really are versatile for a wide range of plants, including trees.

Even better, the current sale ($30.59, down from $33.99) works out at around $10 per basket – an absolute steal for tools that will protect plants all growing season and beyond.

'I’ve used them for everything from small flowers to larger shrubs, and they work brilliantly for all,' a happy customer writes.

As for durability, these wire planting baskets are made of stainless steel, making them rust-resistant and corrosion-proof. A strong guard against the most determined pests and staying in good condition when planted.

It's hard to find a downside to these when they work so effectively and are affordable.

Perhaps the only word of caution is the fact that more robust, woody plants (like trees and shrubs) may eventually experience 'root girdling' where roots grow into the wire and struggle to take up water and nutrients, causing stress to the plant.

But, this is easily avoidable by considering carefully which plants you use them for and finding more suitable natural pest control methods for others.

The best way to deal with pests in the yard is by using multiple methods. Our guides to getting rid of voles and getting rid of moles has more information.

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

More Humane Pest Control Ideas

As the weather cools down, mice start looking for warm places to settle in. Unfortunately, our homes are the perfect hideaway.

It's no wonder that so many of us turn to quick fixes such as dryer sheet scent deterrents to try and keep them at bay, but unfortunately no, dryer sheets do not help to keep mice away.

If you’re dealing with these unwanted visitors in your home, you’ll need a deterrent such as peppermint that’s actually proven to send them packing. It’s simple, natural pest control that is far more reliable than any laundry-room hack, say pest pros.

Why Dryer Sheets Don't Repel Mice

There are several uses for dryer sheets around the home, such as using them to clean shower doors and as part of a hidden fragrance hack for living rooms. However, despite their pleasant scents, they are far from the ideal deterrent for mice.

While strong odors can help prevent mice from getting into your house by making your home uncomfortable for their sensitive sense of smell, dryer sheets do not last long enough, nor do they all have the same potency, making it a hit-or-miss trick at best.

As a non-toxic pest essential, it may work for a day or so, but these sheets will need constant replacement, and mice can quickly adapt to the smell.

What To Use Instead

If you want to create a real barrier against mice and stop creating unnecessary trash at home, the trick is to use peppermint to prevent mice instead.

Daniel Baldwin, board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control, explains that, 'The bold, minty aroma of peppermint oil can be surprisingly off-putting to them. It’s not a magic fix, but it can help make your home less inviting. Think of peppermint oil [from Walmart] as a polite but firm “no vacancy” sign: It won’t stop determined visitors, but it might encourage them to look elsewhere.

'To use it, soak cotton balls [also from Walmart] in 100% pure peppermint oil and tuck them into corners where you’ve noticed mouse activity, under sinks, behind appliances, near entry points. Refresh the scent every few days to keep it potent.'

It helps that, in winter, fresh mint is also an easy way to make your home smell nice for Christmas, killing two birds with one stone. According to one fragrance pro, peppermint is one of the best ways to erase cooking odors at Christmas, too.

For a more convenient option, you can find 100% natural peppermint plug-in air fresheners from Scent Fill at Amazon. Several verified shoppers mention in their reviews that the scent was enough to get rid of mice from a garage, making sealing up gaps more effective.

'For best results, pair this method with sealing up cracks and gaps,' Daniel continues. 'Just a gentle note: Pure essential oils are powerful stuff. When handling them, avoid direct contact with your skin and eyes, and keep the bottle capped when not in use. A little goes a long way, especially when you’re working with scents that mice find overwhelming, and humans might find memorable.'

It is also important to know when to call a professional pest control in. If you spot signs of mice in your home, contact an exterminator such as Orkin Pest Control, who offer free exterminator estimates.

What to Shop

Meet the Expert

Mice aren't the only indoor pest you need to worry about in winter. Other winter pest infestations, such as silverfish and spiders, are also a concern as the temperature drops and homes become prone to damp.

With colder, wetter weather conditions sweeping across the US as we head into December, you may find yourself pondering how to get mice out of the walls in your home. After all, while we spend more time indoors getting cozy, mice, too, seek the same warmth, shelter, and food sources.

Luckily, getting rid of rodents in walls doesn't have to be stressful, nor does it require maintenance – the $22 MaPorch Steel Wool Mouse Hole Filler, available on Amazon, makes it simple. Here's why we recommend it.

This Steel Wool Mouse Hole Filler Effectively Keeps Mice Out of Your Walls

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

While no one wants to spot any tell-tale signs that they have mice, getting rid of mice is easy with the MaPorch Steel Wool Mouse Hole Filler available at Amazon, which is perfect for winter rodent protection both inside and outdoors.

Most importantly, the bendy and flexible steel wool is easy to use and shape. The included scissors are suitable for cutting it to size without any hassle, while the gloves keep your hands protected from cuts and scratches.

It's also so versatile – aside from using it to prevent mice from getting into your house, you can also use it to repel mice from your yard, get rid of mice from a garage, and even get rid of mice in the attic.

It's loved by shoppers, too. One, leaving a five-star review, writes that it's, 'everything you need in one box' for keeping mice out of your walls without buying multiple products or spending days on the problem.

'Very pleased with this,' they say, noting the simplicity of the application. 'The material was easy to work with, and it was nice to have the gloves and scissors included in the box.

'Not only did I seal up the pipes by the baseboard heaters, but I also stuffed the wool into gaps between the carpet and walls, under some baseboards, in gaps inside cabinets, and around water and plumbing pipes,' all of which are common spots for hidden pest harborage[...] I feel much better about keeping mice out of the house.'

A second shopper, David, dubs it 'great stuff,' adding, 'My house was built in 1960, so there are lots of little holes that I haven't had a chance to patch yet...in every hole I place steel wool in, I get no more mice.

'This stuff was well-priced, easy to use, and if they ever come back, I know exactly what I'm buying. I've also told my neighbors about it. And no, I'm not employed by the company or Amazon, I'm just ecstatic that after four years, I finally found a product that works great and doesn't break the bank.'

A third chimes, 'No mice since installation, yippee!' so take it from them – using steel wool to stop mice getting indoors really does work.

What to Shop

You can also utilize mouse repellent plants to keep them at bay.

As a gardening journalist, I come across so many different hacks to apparently prevent garden problems. While many of them have proven to be useful, some are not always the best advice to follow – including the latest trick of using plastic forks to deter pests from crops over winter.

It's a pest control method that involves sticking plastic forks in the ground upward to create a barrier for the pests that destroy plants. While it's true the spikey nature of the forks will deter some pests to a certain extent by making it challenging for them to reach the plants, it isn't necessarily the most sustainable or effective method to use.

Instead, you should opt for natural pest control methods and quality pest control tools that will guarantee safety for your crops. Here's a more in depth look at why you shouldn't use plastic forks for pest control and what to use instead.

Why you shouldn't use plastic forks for pest control

The idea of sticking plastic forks in the ground around your plants to create a pest barrier can be a tempting cheap and quick pest control hack, but it's a method Drew Swainston, Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens, says 'is riddled with potential flaws.'

Though you may not see the damage happening, Drew notes, 'Putting huge numbers of forks in the ground risks lots of potential microplastics ending up in the soil.'

In turn, this affects your soil health and structure, including nutrient-retention, impacting plant growth. Plus, crops growing in contaminated soil can also lead to microplastics being consumed by humans.

Not only this, but plastic forks are not the strongest of materials. Things like adverse weather and small animals may dislodge and break them, instantly removing any pest control purpose they were offering.

By having to then regularly replace the plastic forks, this can also become quite a wasteful method to use.

Above all, Drew notes it may not even work as effectively as you would hope:

'Small pests, such as slugs and snails, aren’t going to be bothered by forks sticking up out of the soil, while you would need huge quantities of forks to efficiently ward off larger ones, like rabbits, rats, squirrels, or cats.'

'It is inefficient method to discourage only a small proportion of seasonal pests, and it is a risk to wildlife, which could scratch or impale themselves,' he explains.

That's where non-toxic gardening swaps and methods come in, offering more reliable protection through natural means and plastic-free products.

'I think the best way to keep pests away from your vegetables over winter is to use netting to cover large plants, cover smaller plants or seedlings with a cloche (glass one from Amazon) or portable cold frame cover, and use companion planting courtesy of aromatic herbs or alliums to deter pests,' Drew suggests.

What to use instead of plastic forks for pest control

Now you know why you shouldn't use plastic forks for pest control, you can explore alternative methods to adopt.

This includes companion planting, where you place the best pest-repellent plants near the plants you're wanting to protect.

These are plants that often give off a scent or release a chemical pests can't stand, like marigolds (seeds from Walmart).

Or, you can use other sources of scents that deter pests, like a peppermint pest spray (from Amazon).

You can also use crushed eggshells in the yard to create a pest barrier, offering a spikey and uncomfortable boundary they won't want to cross.

There are plenty of eco-friendly yard tools that will stop winter garden pests and spring garden pests alike, too. This includes using a burlap barrier or cover, which is made from natural fibers. You can find garden burlap on Amazon.

You can shop some of our top picks of non-toxic winter pest control tools below:

FAQs

Can I use metal forks for pest control?

Yes, you can use metal forks for pest control by placing them in the ground upwards. It creates an uncomfortable barrier for pests to cross, keeping them away from plants. This is a more sustainable option than plastic forks, but it still isn't necessarily as effective as plant covers and companion planting, as many pests will be able to move past and avoid the forks.

While putting winter pest control methods in place, make sure to also take the time to stop pests overwintering in your shed. This is a warm and sheltered spot that can house a range of destructive pests over the winter months.

I don't know about you but I feel like there's a never-ending list of things to get done this month before winter truly arrives and frost takes over my yard. In the midst of mulching and pruning, I realized there's one area of my yard I've neglected to give any attention: the shed.

While giving your shed a tidy up may be low down on your fall gardening checklist, it's actually quite important to give it some TLC before you retreat indoors for winter. Pest control experts say that messy, unorganized, debris-filled sheds are the perfect spot for overwintering pests to hide. When spring comes around, they may just make their way into your yard and cause mayhem among your planting. Plus, they could cause damage within your shed in the meantime.

Luckily, it's super easy to fix this issue. Here, pest control experts share which type of winter garden pests may use this space in your yard and five quick steps to stop pests overwintering in your shed.

Which pests overwinter in garden sheds?

There are quite a few pests that can be found lurking in garden sheds in winter, according to pest control experts.

'Throughout winter, pests will ultimately search for warmth, shelter, food, and water. Your garden shed provides all of these things in one relatively safe space,' says Daniel Baldwin, entomologist at Hawx Pest Control.

'Boxelder bugs, for example, are likely to search for warm locations, squeezing through tiny cracks and gaps in doorways or windows. These areas offer protection, allowing them to overwinter indoors until spring arrives.

'Rodents, such as rats and mice, may also be tempted into your garden sheds during winter due to the cold temperatures and food sources becoming harder to find outdoors,' Daniel notes.

Other pests that destroy plants and small mammals that may cause damage to your shed contents may also find a hiding spot here, as unorganized sheds with piles of debris, dirty tools, and open food sources (like bird seed) provide the perfect spot for some shelter during winter.

Not spotting them can risk bigger issues, like nests and infestations, which is why taking preventative measures now is well worth it.

Luckily, there are a few things that can be done to stop pests overwintering in your shed:

5 ways to stop pests overwintering in your shed

No matter what shed idea you have in your yard, it's important to give it some attention before the depths of winter arrive. Messy spaces are more susceptible to attracting pests. That's why pest control experts recommend following these five steps to get your shed in order ahead of the coldest season:

1. Seal all entry points

The first thing to do when trying to stop pests overwintering in your shed is make it impossible for them to get in.

'Inspect all exterior walls, foundations, and vents to ensure they are sealed and in good condition,' Daniel advises.

'Remember, mice can fit through a hole that is less than 1/16 inch in diameter, so be sure to fill any cracks or holes you find with caulk (from Amazon) or foam,' he adds.

Make sure any windows are shut and consider putting in place draft excluders (from Amazon) if your shed door has a gap beneath it.

As a bonus, this will also help weatherproof your shed for the harshest weather conditions and keep your contents inside safe and secure.

2. Remove food sources

If your garden shed doesn't provide what pests are looking for, they're less likely to take up residence in it. This includes removing food sources.

'Many people store things like bird seed or pet food in sheds, so many pests have all the food they need to survive,' says Jeff Schumacher, owner at All-Safe Pest & Termite. 'You can easily cut off their food supply by sealing containers,' he adds.

These bird seed storage containers from Amazon are a good choice, for example.

Bulb and seed storage is also important, like this seed tin from Amazon. Make sure to keep your potting shed organized with these containers neatly put on shelves to ensure they don't fall over and accidentally open.

3. Get your tools in order

It's important to clean your gardening tools and store garden tools properly over winter. Leaving them dirty and lying around is more likely to entice pests in.

You can use warm water and cleaning vinegar (from Amazon) to get your tools in prime condition, before hanging them up with a wall tool organizer (from Amazon) or placing them in a storage box.

The same goes for bags of potting mix and compost. Leaving them open provides a toasty spot for destructive critters to crawl into. When you later spread it in your yard, you may be delivering pests directly to your plants.

'Keep tools, bags of soil, and other items organized on shelves or in lidded plastic totes to ensure pests aren’t able to use them to hide,' Daniel says.

These jumbo sealable storage bags from Amazon may be useful in securing soil bags, for example.

4. Clear out debris

Just like fallen leaf piles and deadwood in the yard, any garden waste and debris sitting in your shed will attract pests. It provides shelter and hiding spots for them, away from the cold temperatures outdoors.

'Pests often thrive in messy spaces, so it’s really important to keep your shed clean and clutter free,' says Daniel. 'Sweep the floor to remove debris, and avoid storing items in piles on the ground,' he says.

Shed storage can be really handy for this, like these resin boxes from Amazon.

'You also shouldn’t stack things right up against walls, and make sure water drains away from the shed so it doesn’t stay soggy,' says Jeff. 'Less moisture and clutter make the shed far less inviting to insects,' he notes.

5. Use organic pest repellents

As well as getting your shed in ship-shape for winter, you can be extra cautious by using natural pest control methods to repel pests from your shed.

'The scent of peppermint is strong and is often disliked by certain pests, which can deter them from living in areas where it’s present,' says Daniel.

'Homeowners can dilute a few drops of peppermint oil (from Amazon) with water in a spray bottle and apply to the areas where you have seen pests, such as behind shelves, in corners, and near entry points or cracks within walls,' he advises.

You can also purchase peppermint pest spray (from Amazon) and use spices to deter common garden pests, like chili powder.

FAQs

What should I do if I find mice in my shed?

If you have only spotted one or two mice, you can take measures to make your shed less attractive to them. This includes removing food sources and tidying up tools and debris to remove shelter. You should also seal any entry points. If you have a a larger rodent presence in your shed, it's advised to seek professional pest control help.

While preparing your yard to stop pests overwintering in your shed, why not also take the opportunity to declutter your shed? Your future self will thank you for getting it in shape now, ready for a busy spring gardening season.

Get your shed organized with these accessories:

With temperatures outdoors dropping and food sources getting scarcer, mice start looking for warmth indoors. While traps and deterrent sprays can be messy, toxic, and ineffective, there is one simple household staple that provides an instant barrier that lasts all season long: Steel wool will stop mice from entering your home.

This non-toxic item found in most cleaning cabinets can be used to quickly and easily block up the small cracks and gaps mice love to exploit. Best of all, it only costs a few dollars and provides tough, lasting protection.

Here's how a pest pro uses this quick, non-toxic pest control tactic over the hectic holiday period for pest protection in a pinch.

Using Steel Wool to Stop Mice

When you are juggling holiday plans and hosting guests, the last thing you want to be dealing with is getting rid of mice. However, you don't want to let them have free range inside your home, either.

The quickest solution may already be in your cleaning cabinet: Steel wool. These highly abrasive pads can be used to quickly block access points and prevent mice from getting into your house in the first place.

Unlike usual filler and insulation padding, steel wool's rough texture is far from pleasant to chew through, preventing these pesky rodents from breaking through again and making themselves at home under your roof.

Better yet, this steel wool trick works even in exposed areas, assures Garrett Thrasher, co-owner and general manager at Thrasher Termite & Pest Control of So Cal , Inc. He explains, 'It's great for sealing up spots exposed to moisture, and you want to avoid rust stains on the surrounding area.'

The trick to making this natural pest control method work is to secure the steel wool in place, Garrett continues, as mice have been known to push it out of the way with a bit of determination.

'Stuff it and secure it,' he urges. 'We've seen rodents pop a steel wool plug out of a hole. Fit the steel wool tightly into the hole or gap, and then use construction adhesive or caulk [such as Loctite poly concrete and masonry sealant from Lowe's] to bind the steel wool to the adjacent area. Mice and rats easily chew through adhesive, but when used in combination with steel wool, it sure slows them down.'

If you are in a real hurry, some Gorrilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape, also from Lowe's, could hold the wool in place in a pinch, or if you cannot damage the surrounding area.

It is worth noting that this quick fix is exactly that, a quick fix. For long-term pest prevention, Garrett urges you to replace the steel wool barricade with a more resistant, permanent solution as soon as you have the time or funds, focusing specific attention on the hidden places in the home where pests love to hide their young.

Using steel wool to stop mice is a great preventative strategy. However, if you have seen mice inside of your home already, they may already be hiding indoors, Garrett reminds us.

He warns, 'By the time you see a mouse in your kitchen, it's already moved in. Sealing holes will keep out their friends, but you'll still have a mouse problem inside. Make sure to set traps after you've sealed the holes.'

We suggest using humane mouse traps from Walmart to trap mice and let them out safely in nature. Use attractive bait to lure them in, and focus on removing the surprising things that attract pests to your home to dissuade them from venturing further into your home.

What to Shop

Meet the Expert

Mice are not the only common winter pest infestation you need to keep an eye out for over the holiday period. Silverfish, spiders, and roaches can all seek out cozy hiding spots in your home, too.

The adage claims you are never more than six feet from a rat. Whether or not that is true depends on many environmental factors. However, rats are common in cities, towns, and rural areas, so you are likely to see a rat in your garden at one point or another.

The truth is that some plants attract rats more than others, so you may unknowingly be growing some that are secretly inviting rats into your yard. Unfortunately, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and bulbs will attract rodents, as do dense shrubs that provide food and shelter.

There are two choices to get rid of rats, or at least deter them. You can opt against having these tempting plants in your yard, or adopt a strategy of companion planting. By integrating plants that repel rats in your garden, you can still grow fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other plants, and reduce the potential risk of rats. This guide outlines the plants that attract rats to be aware of and expert-recommended alternative plants that deter rodents to grow instead.

5 Plants That Attract Rats and Expert Recommendations on What to Plant Instead

There are a few plants that can draw rats to your yard, but there are likewise those that help reduce potential rat problems. I chatted to some gardening experts who highlighted both plants to avoid and alternative plants that repel rats to grow instead.

1. Tulips

While adored for their ability to put on spectacular flowering displays, rats are attracted to spring bulbs as they look for food during the leaner winter months. Rats, along with other rodents, squirrels, or voles, can smell the bulbs in the ground, especially in freshly disturbed soil caused by gardeners planting spring bulbs in large numbers.

Ondrea Kidd, owner of Sowing Joy Farm, highlights tulips, crocuses and gladiolas as three of the worst bulbs that attract rats. She recommends looking for alternative spring bulbs or adding plants that repel rats around them, if you do pick any of the aforementioned ones.

'There's nothing worse than putting your heart, energy, and hope into planting a spring garden only to have it destroyed by rodents,' says Ondrea.

'If you enjoy planting those spring bulbs, a few great choices that will deter those pests are daffodils, allium, grape hyacinth, and fritillaria,' she adds. 'My favorites are the daffodils and alliums; each of these options comes in some really unique and fun varieties, so have fun with the colors and styles of these.'

Discover the range of daffodil bulbs to plant at Dutch Grown

Discover the range of daffodil bulbs to plant at Amazon

Discover the range of daffodil bulbs to plant at Walmart

2. Fruit Trees

Planting fruit trees and soft fruit bushes is a great way of getting a bounty of delicious fruit harvests year after year. But while you enjoy the tasty pickings, so can rats and other unwanted pests as they hunt for a reliable food source.

The likes of apples, pears, peaches, plums, and more are all likely to become attractive to rats, who see them as a consistent food source as well as a place for shelter. When it comes to planting fruit, lean more towards tart fruits, which are less attractive to rats.

'The sweeter the fruits, the more attractive they will be to the rats in your area,' claims Elizabeth Waddington, garden designer and writer at First Tunnels. 'Instead of planting a nut tree or a sweet apple or cherry tree, try a sour cherry, cooking apple variety or crapapple tree.'

'You can still get edible yields, but these don't attract rats as much because rats will prefer sweeter options,' she adds.

One example is a Montmorency cherry. It is a popular sour cherry to grow, as it produces medium-sized fruits great for baking, preserves, or juices. You can get a Montmorency cherry at Fast Growing Trees to add to your garden. Alternatively, you can opt for a Profusion crabapple tree, available at Amazon.

As well as being selective with what fruit you grow, you can add other plants that repel rats, such as daffodils, lavender, marigolds, or mint, around your fruit trees or bushes.

Other ways to reduce issues include spacing fruit trees adequately so the branches don’t touch and give rats clear passage from one tree to another. And to be regular with cleaning up any fallen fruit to reduce the risk of rodents taking your harvest before you get a chance to enjoy it.

3. Nut trees

Plants that attract rats include nuts, which are full of fat and a high-calorie food source. If you have walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, chestnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts growing in your yard, the likelihood is that they will become a target for rats and other rodents.

In particular, late summer through fall, when most nuts are ready to harvest, is a time when rodents are on the lookout for high-energy food to eat now and stash for their upcoming nesting season.

They are attracted to both the nuts on the tree and on the ground, as Elizabeth Waddington hails the importance of making sure to 'harvest promptly' and also 'picking nuts off the ground to avoid attracting too many rats'.

Petar Ivanov, Fantastic Gardeners' gardening and plant expert, highlights flowering dogwoods (such as this live red dogwood tree at Amazon) or hawthorns as plants that repel rats and offer an alternative to nut trees. He claims: 'They provide berries and seasonal interest for birds without offering the dense protein sources rodents prefer.'

As well as harvesting nuts at the right time and picking fallen ones off the ground, good practice is to discard any unharvested nuts at the end of the season to stop rats from having a free food source

4. Sweet Vegetables

The unavoidable fact is that rats will be attracted to fruits and vegetables, whether they are in the vegetable garden or stored. The list of vegetables that attract rats is, unfortunately, long and includes root vegetables, corn, pumpkins, and legumes.

It is not a case of forgoing growing vegetables due to the risk of rats, but making smarter decisions on what you plant, and what you plant it with. Elizabeth Waddington suggests the notion of growing less sweet crops or 'more calorific ones' (including potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, or parsnips) to divert the rats' attention elsewhere, or keeping these types of vegetables in a protected area.

'Keeping sweeter and higher-calorie crops in a polytunnel, fruit cage, or greenhouse can help to reduce the chance that rats will try to take your harvests,' she adds. 'Outdoors, if rats are a problem, crops in the cabbage family, for example, will be less attractive (especially if there are sweeter natural food sources around) and can give us abundant yields when protected from other pests.'

Another way to protect vegetables is companion planting. Growing strong-smelling aromatic herbs (like lavender, mint, or sage) or crops in the allium family (think garlic, onions, leeks, or chives) alongside susceptible vegetables will discourage rodents, along with other pests, from nibbling them.

Companion planting offers a great form of natural pest control to protect crops, plus you also get harvests from those plants.

5. Bamboo

There are some well-known issues with growing bamboo, primarily that you need to stop bamboo from spreading, but many gardeners may not know it as a plant that attracts rats.

The shrub can provide a dense shelter for rats to hide, rest, or even build a nest in, whether it is a large bamboo variety in a border or a smaller cultivar growing in a container garden. Some species also produce seeds that rats will eat, and the young shoots of bamboo are tender enough for rats to enjoy as a food source.

If you want an alternative screening plant to bamboo, dogwoods can provide lots of year-round interest. Such as a stunning pink flowering dogwood at Fast Growing Trees, which offers a lot of seasonal interest with pink blooms, red fall color, and checkered bark in winter.

To deter rodents from any flower beds, several perennials can be planted to keep rats away.

'If you are looking to build your garden full of great perennials that will deter pests, my favorites are peonies and astilbe,' says Ondrea Kidd. 'Many Mediterranean herbs are also a beautiful option. These include lavender, rosemary, and mints.'

FAQs

Do Lavender Plants Repel Rats?

Growing lavender can help repel rats and other pests. Lavender repels pests thanks to the strong aroma that comes from the essential oils contained in the plant; it is a scent that garden pests hate.

Do Coffee Grounds Repel Rats?

You can use coffee grounds on plants, but does it help with pests? Well, some gardeners claim the smell of coffee repels rats, but there is no concrete evidence that it does work effectively.

Shop More Rat-Repellent Plants:

One of the best flowers for companion planting is marigolds. You can grow marigolds from seed easily, and they are highly valuable. Not only are the bright flowers attractive, but marigolds keep lots of bugs away from more precious plants.

I have always planted marigolds in a vegetable garden as part of natural pest control, as the strong scent of French marigolds is effective against aphids, flies, flea beetles, thrips, tomato hornworm, squash bug, cucumber beetles, and many more.

You can get a bumper pack of French marigold seeds at Amazon to grow your own companion planting powerhouses.

With the cooler weather of October here, more and more pests will be moving into homes across the US in search of warmth and shelter – and none more so than bats, pest pros warn.

While these common Halloween motifs don't necessarily directly pose any significant issues to your health and home, although they can carry and transmit rabies through bites and scratches, the most important thing to know ahead of time is that, as a protected species, bats cannot be removed from your property.

That's why our pest experts urge homeowners to check their attics and lofts this October, to give you time to get rid of bats in a house naturally before freezing temperatures set in.

Why are Bats Attracted to Attics and Lofts?

As Tony King, pest expert and founder of The Pied Piper Pest Control, explains, bats find attics and lofts appealing during the colder months, as they offer a dry, warm, and shielded setting that's ideal for hibernation.

'Since temperatures are low and insects are unavailable, bats need a stable microclimate to conserve energy,' he says. 'Attics, because they are insulated and have enclosed spaces, generate just that.

'Some species, like the Little Brown and the Big Brown bats, are particularly accustomed to hibernating in attics during winter since they require specific conditions of air and heat to survive hibernation.'

Additionally, female bats may enter the home in the spring to give birth, says Stewart Muir, associate certified entomologist at JP McHale Pest Management, and move in during fall and winter to hibernate.

'They are attracted to odors of bats from previous infestations, and if the attic gives off sufficient heat,' he advises.

You may also find them in your chimneys and vents, adds Jamie Nichols, senior service center manager at Arrow Exterminators, as they love dark, quiet, and undisturbed places, like other common roof pest infestation inhabitants.

'If there are holes in the roof, loose siding, or open vents, bats can find their way in,' he explains. 'And if an attic is insulated and rarely visited, homeowners may not even notice their presence until the sounds, smells, or guano start piling up.'

What are the Signs and Indications of Bats?

Importantly, says Jamie, bat activity can be tricky to catch at first, especially as they're most active during the night.

'However, one of the first signs of a bat problem is soft fluttering or scratching noises in the walls or ceiling, usually around dusk or dawn,' he explains. 'Staining around entry points is also common, as bats tend to leave behind greasy smudges where they squeeze in and out.

'But the telltale sign of a bat infestation is the guano – bat droppings. Guano looks a lot like mouse droppings, but it's often a bit larger and has a shiny appearance.' For that reason, you should be able to differentiate between the presence of bats and the need to get rid of rodents in the attic.

'It also tends to build up into big piles,' adds Jamie, 'and it has a strong, ammonia-like smell.'

You might also, adds Tony, hear chirping, as bats communicate within their roost.

What to Do if You Find Bats in Your Attic

If you find bats in your attic, it's extremely important to address the problem with care and caution, and according to local wildlife laws.

'In most places, bats are protected, especially during maternity season, which is generally April to August, so touching or removing them at that time is illegal,' advises Tony. 'The safest and most humane method is to call a licensed wildlife control professional who can assess the situation and conduct a bat exclusion program.

'This is usually in the form of one-way exit devices to allow bats to leave but not re-enter. Blocking all potential access points and removing attractants such as tree limbs overhanging are also efficient means of warding off future infestations.'

Troy Yowell, owner at Pest Shield, also recommends investing in the Cleanrth Advanced Ultrasonic Bat Repelling System available at Walmart. 'This is a great exclusion device that turns your attic into an unfitting habitat,' he says. 'The sound falls outside of the hearing range for people, cats, dogs, and birds, so you won't disturb any humans or pets in your home.

Importantly, warns Stewart, due to the possibility of rabies, it's never recommended that a homeowner engage directly with live bats.

'Contact a pest professional to have the bats removed,' he says. 'We also strongly recommend that, for the same rabies concerns, even dead bats should only be removed by a professional.'

As with most things, and particularly in relation to pests, prevention and acting fast is so important in the presence of bats. 'Waiting too long to address a potential entry point or early signs of activity could mean you end up playing host to a full-blown bat colony,' warns Jamie.

That being said, having bats in your yard means there's a healthy ecosystem at play, so, disparately, you may wish to attract bats into your backyard. You can use bat houses, such as the Japanese Cedar Bat House available at Amazon, to offer an appealing alternative to nesting in your porch, attic, or loft.

What to Shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

Along with bats, you may also find yourself needing to get rid of birds in your attic, which similarly needs to be done humanely and safely.

Well-managed healthy soil is essential for a productive garden. As we approach the end of a growing season, there are steps you can take to maintain your soil's health and minimize potential pest problems next year.

From adding organic matter to ensure a thriving ecosystem in your soil, to growing cover crops or harnessing the power of natural pests, there are simple fall soil amendments to discover that make a huge benefit to the overall health of your garden.

If you are putting soil health at the top of your fall gardening checklist, here are a few seasonal soil fixes to discover that help prepare your ground for spring and disrupt the lifecycle of unwanted pests.

Fall Soil Amendments to Boost Nutrients and Combat Pests

This season is an ideal time to test your soil and check its nutrient and pH levels after a hard growing season. After the rigours of the season, the soil can be short of resources, and a test will highlight any imbalances that can be fixed with soil amendments before spring.

You can check your soil using a professional soil test kit like this at Amazon, which measures 13 plant-available nutrient levels.

Some of the following fall soil amendments add nutrients to the soil and help reduce pest problems, while others focus solely on ridding the soil of unwanted pests. However, they all do make a difference and are worth adding to a to-do list this fall.

1. Add Compost or Well-Rotted Manure

Healthy soil is full of life, and such a thriving ecosystem supports natural predators in the soil. Keep a healthy soil, and the likes of nematodes, predatory mites, and spiders will prosper, and they can help by eating soil-dwelling pests like aphids, grubs, and fungus gnat larvae.

Fall is an ideal time to add nutrient-rich compost or well-rotted manure to your soil. Such organic material helps boost soil nutrients and maintain a rich ecosystem, which includes fungi, bacteria, earthworms, insects, and more.

You can either incorporate the organic matter into the soil or add a 2-3 inch layer of mulching materials and let it mix into the soil naturally.

It is important only ever to use well-rotted manure. Adding fresh manure can burn plant roots and harm the soil's ecosystem.

This 40-pound bag of blended compost and manure available at Walmart makes an ideal mulch for smaller gardens.

2. Remove Debris to Prevent Overwintering

There are a surprising number of pests that overwinter in plant debris left sitting on the soil. The likes of squash bugs, aphids, spider mites, slugs, snails and beetle larvae can survive the coldest months tucked up in old debris or leaf litter.

This old garden material provides them a warm, protected spot for winter, allows them to breed, and can even provide food to see them through until spring. So don't leave piles of old stems or leaves sitting on the soil throughout winter.

While it may seem like an effort to clear them away, you are doing pests a favor by leaving them in situ for long periods of time. It won't take long to head out with a garden rake or fork to collect all the material into a bucket and remove it from the soil.

If the material looks disease-free, use it to make compost. However, if it appears infested with fungi or pathogens, it is safer to discard it rather than risk spreading disease problems.

3. Gently Till the Soil

Lightly turning the top few inches of soil can help reduce pest populations by disrupting their habitats and leaving them vulnerable to predators and weather.

Just agitating the top 2-4 inches can be enough to expose insect eggs and larvae just under the surface of the soil. It makes them susceptible to natural predators, such as birds, and also freezing temperatures.

It is best to do this before the ground freezes. Tilling can be a laborious task, and whether you choose to do this may depend on the size of your plot. Tilling the soil can be done manually with a garden fork or a machine, like this electric garden tiller and cultivator at Amazon.

If you do no-dig gardening and don't till the soil, you can pick certain mulches that are known to repel winter pests. Such as using seaweed in the garden, which has jagged edges when it dries, that agitates slugs and keeps them away from the area.

4. Add Beneficial Nematodes

These small-but-mighty microscopic organisms are great for natural pest control and can be added in the fall, provided the soil is not frozen and has a temperature above 41°F.

The beneficial insects feed on soil-borne insects and pests, including fungus gnats, caterpillars, flea beetles, slugs, and more. Different species of beneficial nematodes target set pests, seeking out their prey, reproducing inside of it, and killing the target within 24-48 hours. They can have an effect on pest populations within the soil within a week.

Beneficial nematodes are dormant within their packaging and are mixed with water and applied to the soil. And this mix of live beneficial nematodes at Amazon can guard against over 200 soil-dwelling pests.

Another useful suppressant that can be added to the soil in the fall is diatomaceous earth. It is made from the fossilized remains of aquatic organisms, and its jagged edges pierce soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites, ants, and earwigs, causing them to dehydrate and die.

Diatomaceous earth can be used on the soil around plants, and you can get food-grade diatomaceous earth at Amazon to add to the soil this fall.

5. Plant Cover Crops

Cover crops, also known as green manures, are a great way to prepare garden soil for spring, as they can maintain or even improve soil health, and some can actively help against soil-borne pests and diseases.

Overall, cover crops offer many benefits. They are a great form of organic weed control, they prevent erosion, and keep the soil healthy. Planting a cover crop benefits all the life in the soil, including the relationship between plants, bacteria, and fungi underground.

Retaining healthy soil is fundamental, as it ensures a place for beneficial predators. Those pest-eating predators can also reside in the cover crop over the winter, plus other predators can be attracted to certain green manures when they start blooming in spring.

Some green manures are biofumigants, and release compounds into the soil as they break down that help combat soil-borne pests and pathogens. The most common of these is mustard, a fast-growing green manure that can be chopped and dug back into the soil within six weeks of germinating. The compounds are released as the plant breaks down, helping to reduce pest populations in the soil.

If you want to sow mustard green manure in the fall, it ideally wants to be done 4-6 weeks before your first hard frost. You can get mustard green manure seeds at True Leaf Market to sow.

It also pays to think ahead to combat pest and disease problems by planning out a crop rotation. Moving crops around a vegetable garden keeps the soil healthy and breaks any build-up of pests and diseases in the soil that come from growing the same crops in the same space year after year. I also recommend including green manures in your rotation, which goes even further to ensuring fantastic, healthy soil that your crops will thrive in.

Birch trees are adored for their light foliage and peeling bark. While most people think of the white bark varieties, there are birch trees with gorgeous bark in shades of orange, red, or yellow, too. They are hugely popular trees, but there is a nasty pest that threatens birches, in the shape of the bronze birch borer.

The bronze birch borer is a wood-boring beetle whose larvae cause huge damage under the surface. They feed on the tree's vascular system and essentially starve the tree from the inside, causing thinning foliage, bare branches, dieback, and ultimately death.

If you grow birch trees, it pays to understand the risks that bronze birch borer poses. So I spoke to pest experts to reveal the signs of bronze birch borer damage you need to know, plus their advice for the best ways to deal with infestations.

What is the Bronze Birch Borer?

The bronze birch borer is a wood-boring beetle that targets all species of birch, both native and non-native birch species. They are often attracted to stressed or weakened birch trees and burrow inside to start wreaking havoc.

Jeremy Logsdon, co-owner of Preventive Pest Control in Houston, claims that bronze birch borer is 'a major culprit for birch failure' as they start by causing dieback and can ultimately lead to a tree’s death.

'They are slender, metallic beetles whose larvae are the real troublemakers,' reveals the expert. 'Once the eggs hatch, the larvae tunnel under the bark, feeding on the phloem and xylem - the tree's vascular system. This girdles the branches, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients.'

They are not easy to spot, as the adult bronze birch borer is 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and has a metallic sheen. The troublesome larvae, which are found inside the tree, are pale white, up to an inch in length and with a segmented body and a flat head.

The bronze birch borer life cycle starts in late spring, as adults lay their eggs after overwintering under the bark. Then follow the larvae, which hatch and eat voraciously, causing huge damage to the tree.

These larvae mature and then pupate in the spring, before, as Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist at Mosquito Squad Plus, explains: 'After pupating, birch borer adults drill holes in the outer bark and leave the tree to find mates and lay the next generation of wood-destroying beetle eggs.' It is typical to have one generation of bronze birch borers per year.

Signs of Bronze Birch Borer Damage

It can take a few months for the tree to show the first visible signs of bronze birch borer damage, but there are some classic symptoms to look out for.

'Early signs of infestation include leaf discoloration during the growing season, thinning foliage, and bare branches in the upper canopy,' says Whitt Tindol from Peachtree Pest Control. He adds that, as the larvae continue to feed on the tree's water and nutrient transport systems, it leads to 'leaf discoloration, branch dieback, and ultimately, the death of the tree'.

The damage tends to show itself first in the upper crown of the tree. Jeremy Logsdon advises examining your birch trees for 'yellowing and dieback' in the crown, and to keep a close lookout for 'distinctive D-shaped exit holes' that are caused by the adults when they emerge.

Any peeling bark from infested trees may reveal evidence of tunnels underneath, such as swollen ridges that are the scars caused by tunnels, or even burrows packed with sawdust and frass (larval droppings).

How to Control Bronze Birch Borer

There are different birch borer treatments you can consider, depending on the time of year and the scale of the infestations. But here are some recommendations from the experts to consider:

Prune Away Infected Branches

One key part of bronze birch borer control is to prune birch trees and remove infested branches when the adults have gone but the larvae are still tunnelling. If you identify the D-shaped hole in the bark, try to prune trees to remove the infested wood to reduce the population of larvae that can attack your tree.

'In the fall, when temperatures are cool, the best action to take is to prune back birch limbs, especially those showing signs of birch borer damage', advises Emma Grace Crumbley. 'Pruning the trees helps physically remove the pests during a time of year when they are least active.'

If you do have a heavily infested tree, it is beneficial to remove the tree to prevent the pests from spreading to other trees in the vicinity.

Keep Trees Healthy

As highlighted earlier, the bronze birch borer is often attracted to stressed or weakened birch trees. It makes maintaining healthy birch trees a priority, as the pests are unlikely to target healthy trees.

Whitt Tindol claims maintaining healthy, vigorous trees is 'one of the most effective long-term strategies for managing bronze birch borers', adding: 'A key part of this is ensuring consistent and adequate watering throughout the year to support strong growth.'

He adds that planting trees in unsuitable locations also leads to stress and makes them more vulnerable. This includes not planting birch trees where they can get heat stress, especially in warmer climates, and not planting them in lawns, which are not ideal for birch trees.

Birch trees benefit from regular deep watering in extended periods of dry weather and routine mulching. Do not fertilize trees unless they show signs of struggling, as birches don't require lots of feed and can suffer stress from overfertilizing.

Insecticides

Some products can be applied by professionals to combat the bronze birch borer. However, even chemicals may not be enough to save a highly infested tree.

'Late summer to early fall is a prime time for a systemic soil application of insecticides like Imidacloprid (if allowed in your area),' says Jeremy Logsdon. 'The product is absorbed by the roots and moves throughout the tree over the winter, providing preventative protection for the following spring when the adults emerge and lay eggs.'

He adds: 'This fall timing is effective because the larval stage is still active under the bark, and the tree is preparing for dormancy, making it an efficient time for chemical uptake.'

A pest management professional or licensed arborist can help devise a treatment plan for you, including offering options for different insecticides suitable for your tree, the level of infestation, the time of year, and local regulations.

Plant Resistant Species

To reduce the risk of the bronze birch borer, there are more resistant species of birch you can choose when planning your backyard ideas.

The white-barked birch species are most susceptible, with species such as River Birch, Monarch Birch, and Japanese Birch more resistant to the pests.

You can get a Heritage River Birch at Fast Growing Trees

If you want to showcase beautiful bark in your yard, there is a great range of trees to choose from. Whether you want patterned or peeling bark to provide interest in winter, this guide to trees with unusual bark highlights 10 fantastic trees that make bold statements with their bark and offer something unique to a space.

When it comes to repelling spiders, peppermint oil may not be the first solution that comes to mind. But, assure our pros, it's natural, non-toxic and surprisingly effective when spritzed and sprayed around your windows.

Here, they explain this clever DIY way to keep spiders away, including why it works, and how to try it in your own home.

Why does peppermint oil work to deter spiders?

Brett Anderson from Peach Tree Pest Control explains, 'Spiders have specialized sensory organs on their legs called sensilla – tiny, hair-like structures that detect stimuli such as sound, touch, heat, humidity, and chemical cues.

'Peppermint contains menthol and other strong-smelling compounds, which overwhelm these receptors, making the environment uncomfortable and uninviting for spiders,' working as a natural pest control method.

Tony King, founder of The Pied Piper Pest Control, agrees, adding, 'It's particularly effective in October, since this is when spiders are actively looking for warm indoor spaces to weather winter.

'By disrupting their normal sensing and making spiders feel threatened, peppermint oil not only encourages spiders to want to vacate treated spaces, but to avoid them altogether.'

How to make your own DIY peppermint essential oil spray

To make your own homemade bug spray, Tony recommends using 10 to 15 drops of a top-quality, pure peppermint essential oil, such as the NOW Essential Oils Peppermint Oil available at Amazon, or the Plant Therapy Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, also available at Amazon.

'Mix this with about two cups, or 500 ml, of distilled or filtered water in a clean spray bottle,' he advises. 'One teaspoon of liquid dish soap adds to make the oil spread evenly and adhere to the surfaces, offering better coverage.

'Spray this mixture along window frames, door sills, baseboards, corners, and cracks or gaps in which spiders gain entry,' all of which are common spots for hidden pest harborage.

'Re-spray weekly, and particularly after dusting or cleaning the area, as the smell fades with time.'

You can also, as Daniel Baldwin, entomologist at Hawx Pest Control, suggests, soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where you've noticed spider activity.

'Common spots include under your bed, behind your headboard, under your couch, or in cupboards and wardrobes,' he advises. 'Wardrobes are especially appealing to spiders because they are dark and tend to be undisturbed during the day.'

Drawbacks to consider

In terms of drawbacks or limitations, Tony warns that there are a few to mention.

'Peppermint oil is extremely pungent, which may be overpowering to some individuals or pets,' he explains. 'It will not exterminate spiders and thus is not a solution to current infestations, either; it's more of a deterrent.

'Additionally, the essential oils may sometimes discolor certain surfaces such as unsealed wood or painted surfaces, so one would want to do a small test patch.' It's also, adds Daniel, only a temporary solution.

Therefore, all our experts agree that, to get the best results, this method to get rid of spiders in a basement, for example, should be used in conjunction with efficient practices, like sealing window gaps, keeping your space clutter-free, and vacuuming frequently.

Don't forget your baseboards, as they're a prime hiding spot for pests.

You should also, advises Daniel, regularly wipe down surfaces and eliminate dark hiding spots.

'You can even use night lights in places such as cupboards, drawers, and walk-in closets to reduce the darkness that spiders are attracted to,' he adds, such as the Great Value Plug-in LED Night Light available at Walmart.

'Eliminate any webs you find in or around your home by vacuuming or clearing them out. This may encourage spiders to leave, as many types stay close by their webs, rather than living directly on them.

'Additionally, turn off outdoor lighting, which may attract insects like moths, mosquitoes, and gnats, which can also attract spiders that prey on them.

As Tony explains, all of these steps 'will reduce the chances of the spiders making your home their seasonal sanctuary.'

And, importantly, if you do still spot any around your home, pest pros warn you should never squash spiders in your home.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Like squashing them, you should also never use WD-40 to get rid of spiders, as pest pros warn it's simply not effective.

If you're currently browsing for non-toxic moth repellent solutions, have you considered cedar wood blocks? They are gently and naturally fragranced without the harsh and pungent chemicals often found in synthetic deterrents.

They are necessary as several moth breeds, including the aptly named Winter Moth, have adapted to be active in cooler months, particularly once they've taken up residence in your cozy home. Either way, banish the threat of moths nibbling holes in your favorite winter sweaters by taking action before any damage begins.

That's why we recommend snapping up the Cedar Space Cedar Blocks for Closet Storage available at Amazon to deter these flying pests before it's too late. Here's why we think they're a non-toxic pest control essential.

These natural cedar blocks will deter moths all fall long

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If there's one indoor pest that's the most irritating – and the tricky to deal with – it's moths. Whether you prefer natural pest control methods or opt for something stronger, all too often the battle against these insects that cause holes in clothes can be tiresome, resulting in ruined garments that can be expensive to repair and synthetic smells you loathe.

That's why we recommend the Cedar Space Cedar Blocks for Closet Storage available at Amazon for getting rid of moths and preventing moths in your closet all fall and winter long.

The best part about these cedar blocks is that they're all-natural, made of one hundred percent red cedar harvested from renewable forests. The fresh cedar scent is also long-lasting – if it begins to fade, all you need to do is simply sand down the block to restore the fragrance.

The surface of the blocks is smooth, too, so you won't need to worry about it scratching delicate sweaters or winter woollies, even if it comes into direct contact with them.

This moth repellent wood isn't just suitable for your small closet ideas, either. You can also use them in your other storage ideas, like to protect your shoes in your boot room ideas, for example.

As one five-star reviewer writes that these boast a 'great scent' and 'perfect size,' another, Jennifer, dubs them 'cedar blocks from heaven.'

She explains, 'Moths. I hate them. I recently moved and am temporarily renting an apartment from my parents. My dad strongly suggested that I utilize my time here wisely and take the opportunity to clean out some more of the things that I've had stored in their basement for decades.

'Most of my belongings were in totes except for a bag or two of old blankets and some stuffed animals that I've kept since childhood that I didn't have the heart to part with. This was the prelude to the coming insect apocalypse.'

The blocks were her successful solution to 'a plague of biblical proportions,' which occurred after mistakenly using toxic mothballs around her cats to banish the moths living on her stuffed animals.

'In one last desperate attempt to rid my apartment of moths before giving up on life entirely, and starting Christmas shopping for gifts for the legion of moths in my apartment because they live here now, I decided to try this brand,' she continues.

'The blocks are not only a decent size, but have a very strong cedar scent. The scent remains and doesn't dissipate quickly like other brands. More importantly, they actually work. I like these so much that I purchased another package this week. I'll definitely purchase more of these products in the near future. I give them five out of five stars.'

Jennifer isn't the only one who swears by cedar blocks as a natural moth deterrent, either. Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved here at Homes & Gardens, says, 'I keep these in my closet year-round, and never have any issues with moths.'

'Plus, they smell great, freshening up my garments, and are super low maintenance, so they're ideal if you tend to be forgetful or busy, as they don't really ever need replacing.'

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden adds, 'I switched to natural cedar blocks after first trialling a synthetic moth repellent block in the storage space under my ottoman bed. The smell of the chemical-laden blocks was so strong it was seeping around my mattress and actually waking me up. Horrible. Now I stick with cedar and it's not only effective but much gentler on the nose.'

In other words, don't delay purchasing these non-toxic mothball swaps – according to Jennifer, Chiana, and Punteha, you won't regret it.

What to shop

If you prefer DIY solutions, you can also make a homemade moth repellent using natural herbs such as rosemary, lavender, bay and thyme.

Burning lavender instantly deters moths, but combine it with other pest control for long-term control.

I'm lucky to be able to walk a few yards from my house into a beautiful woodland area, and I love spotting wildlife there. But, it does mean my yard is often frequented by squirrels. While adorable to see, these creatures can become a nuisance when it comes to bulbs.

They have a taste for soft, starchy bulbs, like tulips and crocus, which is why you'll often find these dug up if you have a large squirrel population in your area. So, I'm being proactive with getting rid of squirrels from my yard by planting bulbs squirrels don't eat. This is an insurance policy for my spring garden, by choosing bulbs I know these garden visitors won't be tempted to help themselves to.

Choosing these flowers over others will minimize and stop squirrels from digging up bulbs in your yard, resulting in a dazzling, undisturbed display later down the line. Here, I list my top five choices, alongside some expert tips on how to grow them successfully.

5 bulbs squirrels won't eat

If you have a major problem with squirrels tearing your garden to bits, consider also growing squirrel-repellent plants. These are plants that will actually deter squirrels from your yard, often due to the scent they give off. Paired with the below bulbs squirrels don't eat, you can be sure to have a colorful and thriving garden next year.

1. Grape hyacinth

• Hardiness: US hardiness zone 3 to zone 9
• Flowering: March-May

Grape hyacinth (muscari) is a charming miniature bulb, ranging in colors from dark purple to pastel blue, pink, and white. It earns its name from its similar appearance to hyacinths, although they are not related.

You can grow muscari with the confidence squirrels won't help themselves to the bulbs before they have a chance to bloom. This is because these bulbs are highly unpalatable to them, even containing toxic compounds.

'One of the best things about grape hyacinth is its versatility,' says Homes & Gardens' Head of Gardens, Rachel Bull. 'It can be grown in pots, raised beds, and at the front of borders. It looks particularly impressive when planted en masse,' she adds.

Find muscari bulbs at Burpee.

Find muscari bulbs on Amazon.

2. Winter aconite

• Hardiness: US hardiness zone 4 to zone 9
• Flowering: January-March

If you're looking for an early spring flowering plant that will be protected from hungry squirrels, consider planting winter aconite bulbs in fall.

These yellow blooms emerge in late winter and alongside daffodils and snowdrops, are some of the earliest signs of spring. Just like muscari, these are bulbs squirrels don't eat thanks to their unpalatable nature.

Winter aconite bulbs contain cardiac glycosides which are toxic to both humans and animals. It can therefore be poisonous and is a bulb squirrels won't attempt to munch on.

'To grow winter aconites, it's important to get bulbs planted by November,' says Rachel. 'They perform best in a partial shade position, making them one of the best woodland plants,' she adds.

Find winter aconite bulbs on Amazon.

3. Camassia

• Hardiness: US hardiness zone 3 to zone 8
• Flowering: April-June

Camassia is a beautiful bulb that offers height during the late-spring and summer months. You plant camassia bulbs in fall where you can rest assured they won't be disturbed by squirrels.

Squirrels find camassia bulbs bitter and unappealing, which is why they make the list of bulbs squirrels don't eat. They also tend to be harder than the softer bulbs squirrels like to feed on (such as tulips).

'It's fairly straightforward to grow camassia for spring and summer,' says Rachel. 'The bulbs should be planted with the pointed edge facing upwards. This is also a bulb to never plant in pots because they have a spreading habit,' she advises.

Find camassia bulbs at Burpee.

Find camassia bulbs on Amazon.

4. Daffodils

• Hardiness: US hardiness zone 3 to zone 9
• Flowering: January-May

It's not surprising that daffodils are on this list of bulbs squirrels don't eat because they're also one of the most effective repellents for squirrels.

Squirrels don't eat daffodil bulbs because they contain lycorine and other alkaloids which are unpleasant and harmful to rodents. For this reason, planting daffodil bulbs is a reliable option for a squirrel damage-free yard.

'Every spring garden needs daffodils and there are actually lots of narcissi bulbs to choose from,' says Rachel. 'One of the key things to do is not cut back daffodils while the foliage is still green, even after the blooms have faded. This helps the bulbs store energy to put on another dazzling show next spring,' she explains.

Find daffodil bulbs at Burpee.

Find daffodil bulbs on Amazon.

5. Summer snowflake

• Hardiness: US hardiness zone 4 to zone 8
• Flowering: April-June

Summer snowflake is easily mistaken for snowdrops as the two have very similar appearances, but they bloom at different times. With snowdrop finishing their show around March, summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) starts to bloom from mid-spring until summer.

Summer snowflake bulbs are unpalatable to squirrels, thanks to the natural chemical deterrents they contain. More widely, leucojum is also safe from deer and other rodents.

'Leucojum is one of the best spring bulbs to plant in fall, rewarding you with stunning white snowdrop-shaped blooms in spring,' says Rachel. 'It's hugely popular with pollinators, providing a nectar-rich source. Choose a full-sun spot for these bulbs, planting in clusters for an impressive naturalizing look,' she adds.

Find summer snowflake bulbs on Amazon.

Shop squirrel-proofing essentials:

FAQs

What do squirrels eat in fall?

Squirrels tend to look for nuts, seeds, and plant roots for fall and winter food. They're also known to dig up soft plant bulbs, particularly favoring tulips and crocus. If you have a large squirrel population in your area, it can be a good idea to choose plants and bulbs they won't target to ensure your garden has plenty of life come spring.

There are lots of other things you can do to protect your garden from squirrel damage. This includes using peppermint to deter squirrels and using marigold flowers to deter squirrels.

Closets full of cozy, natural fiber sweaters and pantries stuffed with holiday season snacks are a moth's idea of heaven in the colder months.

You don't need harsh chemicals to keep them away from your home, however. In fact, burning lavender could provide some instant relief from this flying pest problem.

The trick? Burning lavender sticks, available at Etsy, correctly, while adding some long-lasting tactics to get rid of moths for good. Here's what the pros recommend.

Burning lavender to deter moths

So far as natural pest control methods go, burning lavender is one of the few that will also help to make a home smell nice.

James Agardy, technical and training manager, and associate certified entomologist at Viking Pest Control, explains that, like burning rosemary to deter pests, burning lavender releases essential oils and compounds such as camphor and linalool into the air, 'which can act like a natural insect repellent. Crushing the lavender prior to burning can increase the amount of these oils that are released into the smoke, potentially boosting the effectiveness.'

However, as with any natural prevention tips and non-toxic alternatives to mothballs, burning lavender to deter moths is not always a guaranteed fix, and the deterring effect wears off when you stop burning it.

James says, 'Like any repellent, effectiveness will vary, and lavender will not repel all species of moth.

'If you have ongoing issues with moths in your home, it would be best to call a pest management professional of your choice to identify the moth and develop a treatment program to eliminate the infestation at the source.'

If you do stick with burning lavender when you spot the signs you have moths in your home, it's important to also implement some longer-lasting prevention methods.

Mihail Velev, rodent and insect pest control expert at Fantastic Services, says, 'Lavender can provide a mild, short-term effect on moth behaviour, but it isn’t a primary method of control.'

He recommends reducing attractants such as food sources in the first instance.

This could mean storing food in air-tight glass containers from Walmart to protect your pantry, or keeping natural fiber garments in plastic garment bags from Amazon to prevent moths in the closet.

From there, deep-clean your house to remove crumbs and disturb any cozy nesting spots.

Alternatively, boost the longevity of lavender by using lavender essential oil (available from Target) in a waterless diffuser, from Amazon.

Tammy Sons, founder of Tn Nursery, explains, 'I believe it is most effective as a part of an integrated approach. Combine with dried lavender sachets [from Etsy] or an essential oil diffuser in a storage closet rather than just the smoke itself.'

You can also use lavender essential oil to make DIY scented drawer liners to protect dressers.

What to shop

FAQs

What is the best natural way to repel moths?

Strong scent deterrents are one of the best natural ways to repel moths. This can come in the form of cedar wood, cedar oil, or lavender.

Additionally, clean regularly using non-toxic cleaning products and create physical barriers to block moths from food sources, such as airtight jars and garment bags.

Do pheromone traps work for moths?

Pheromone traps work by drawing in adult male moths and killing them, stopping the breeding cycle to stop infestations growing in a home.

Pheromone traps will not work on moth larvae, however, which are the main cause of damage to garments. Regular cleaning and deterrents are your safest bet here.

Meet the experts

While preparing for the cold season, brush up on the common fall pests to watch out for to fortify your home against unwanted visitors.

Fall can be a bountiful time in a vegetable garden, full of rich pickings for hearty seasonal meals. But at the same time, pests regularly nibble on your fruits and vegetables as they look for food, and it is always disappointing to lose crops.

I have grown edibles for many years, and personally had hole-ridden kale courtesy of caterpillars, apples damaged by maggots, and pumpkins tarnished by unwanted visitors to the plot. If you are trying to avoid nibbled salad crops, munched vegetables, or fruits with an unwanted hidden surprise inside, fall pest control doesn't need to be difficult.

There are some easy ways you can combat fall pests in your vegetable garden and avoid having to throw away any of your potential harvests. This guide to fall pest control highlights five tried-and-tested methods to protect your seasonal harvests from harm.

Fall pest control in focus – here's what you can do to

There are some common pests to watch out for in the fall, including many of the usual culprits that trouble crops throughout the growing season.

The likes of slugs and snails are out in force, thriving in the cooler, moister conditions of fall, and caterpillars, beetles, aphids, cabbage loppers, spider mites, stink bugs, and thrips can all persist well into the fall.

You also get fruit pests like the codling moth, which don't start to hunker down and cocoon to overwinter till the temperatures drop.

With all those potential pests still active until the first frosts, here are five easy methods of fall pest control that will help preserve your harvests of vegetables and fruits.

1. Have physical barriers in place

The easiest form of fall pest control is to cover your crops to prevent unwanted critters from having easy access to your fruits or vegetables.

For vegetables in kitchen garden beds or raised garden beds, covering them with row covers keeps the pests away from the crops. This is not just the case for fall, as the truth is that many crops, such as brassicas, should be covered all season long to combat caterpillars in a vegetable garden.

The use of fine insect mesh can block aphids, flea beetles, whiteflies, spider mites, cabbage white butterflies, and many more. A cover like this fine bug netting at Amazon can cover rows of plants. It lets light and water through, but keeps pests away. It needs to be secured at the sides and ideally laid over hoops to avoid damaging the crops.

Individual plants can be protected from inquisitive pests with cloches, which, like the use of row covers, also help to protect vegetables from frost and extend your harvests further into winter or fall.

Fruits can be covered with maggot barriers or fruit protection bags, available at Amazon. Such reusable bags can be put over individual fruits to keep insects, birds, or small animals away and stop them from eating or damaging your fruit. There is also the option of fruit cages to protect soft fruit bushes.

2. Disturb the soil to bring pests to the surface

Soil-dwelling pests are prevalent in the fall, as they prosper in the warm, moist soils of the season. With a bit of disturbance, the likes of slugs, cutworms, and grubs can be brought to the surface, where they can be in for a nasty surprise.

This is because it leaves them more vulnerable to beneficial predators, predominantly many types of birds. Such a tactic is a simple form of fall pest control that will impact their population.

It will not eliminate all pests, but it can make a difference and reduce the number of pests that can eat your crops. As well as leaving them at the mercy of birds, exposing the pests to frosts will also eliminate them.

It is best to take it gently and avoid fully tilling the vegetable garden annually, as repeated tilling over time can damage soil health. Instead, just disturb the top surface of the soil with a garden fork or hoe, such as this Fiskars garden fork at Walmart.

3. Remove plant debris to eliminate hiding places

Older leaves and other debris make great hiding places for many pests. Slugs and snails spend their day hidden away under debris, only to come out at night to feast. While beetles, thrips, cutworms, and more can hide and breed in any debris left on your vegetable garden beds.

Many gardeners often slow down come the fall, and are more likely to let debris accumulate during the season. Any approach to meticulously clearing beds can become a bit more casual come fall, which plays right into the hands of the pests that enjoy their hiding spots.

It won't take long at all to head out with a rake and trug to collect any fallen leaves, stems, or debris that might be providing pests with cover. So, try to keep clearing near the top of your fall gardening checklist.

You won't just appreciate it over the coming weeks, but also into the next growing season. As many pests, including squash bugs, asparagus beetles, and Colorado potato beetle, can overwinter in leaf litter and plant debris, only to come out again in spring to terrorize your crops.

4. Attract predators to the garden

Birds benefit your backyard by eating many different pests, including caterpillars, beetles, aphids, snails, slugs, and more. Making your yard a wildlife garden to attract birds means more feathered friends to consume unwanted pests that may otherwise impact your fall harvests.

What can you do to attract birds this fall that may snack on pests? Hanging bird feeders, creating natural bird feeders, or placing a bird bath will provide food, water, and a space for birds to bathe. Also consider planting fall plants for birds that will provide berries, fruits, or seeds.

However, for all the good that birds can do, remember that some will feed on ripening fruits and edible crops that you want to keep safe for your harvest.

Keeping these plants covered with netting or putting a fruit cage around your bushes are the best ways to prevent this from happening. Don't put out bird scarers or noisemakers, as they'll scare away birds that can be eating unwanted pests.

5. Stay vigilant and hand-pick pests

Fall pest control isn't always glamorous, and that is exemplified by the fact that hand-picking pests can make a difference in protecting your harvests. Large pests like slugs and snails will be active under the coverage of darkness in the fall, ready to nibble on your vegetables.

Slugs and snails thrive in shade and damp, so they are in their element in the fall. They will come out in the earlier evenings to eat stems, leaves, and crops. There are many fall crops that slugs target, including brassicas, root vegetables, and leafy greens, so take the opportunity to stop slugs from destroying plants and preserve your precious harvests.

Vigilant gardeners can pick up a torch or don a head torch and fill a bucket with soapy water to head out at night and hand-pick snails to protect their plants. Check all over the plants and do so over a few consecutive nights to make a difference and help get rid of slugs and snails.

FAQs

Should you spray for pests in the fall?

You can spray as part of your fall pest control. Smaller pests can be combatted with insecticidal soap, available at Amazon, or a homemade bug spray made with soap and water.

This all-season spray oil, available from Amazon, can be used in the fall to control seasonal pests, including aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. It is approved for organic gardening and is safe for use on fruits and vegetables.

You can extend your homegrown harvests beyond fall by picking hardy vegetables to overwinter on your plot. Adding overwintering vegetables allows you to harvest the likes of kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, leeks, and more into January or February.

Many are tough, like the brassicas and leeks, while winter lettuces or radishes will require covering with row covers, a cloche, or a portable cold frame (like this portable mini cloche at Amazon) to protect them from the elements.

Shop tools for fall vegetable gardens

Asparagus can be a long-lived and productive vegetable. The highly desirable crowns can provide harvests of delicious stems for over 20 years, provided they are healthy and well-maintained. Unfortunately, one pest that risks the future of your plants is the pesky asparagus beetle.

Asparagus beetles feed on spears and foliage, affecting your harvest and ultimately the long-term health of the crowns. If you grow asparagus and don't want your yield of tender spears to be affected, it pays to know how to spot and control the asparagus beetle.

This guide looks at how to spot asparagus beetles, along with the damage they cause. It also reveals the best methods of combating the asparagus beetle, including one core job you can do in the fall that will impact the population of this troublesome pest.

How to get rid of asparagus beetle – in focus

If you're growing asparagus, it's important to be aware of the damage asparagus beetles can cause. I have experienced asparagus beetle on plants before and know that monitoring and acting fast can make a difference. To help me discuss all things asparagus beetle, I also spoke to a gardening and pest expert.

What is the asparagus beetle?

Asparagus beetles are the primary nemesis of the perennial vegetable. There are two types to look out for: the common asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi) and the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata), and the former is the most common asparagus pest you are likely to encounter.

The common asparagus beetle has red-rimmed black wings that feature six white spots, and its larvae have green bodies with black heads. The spotted asparagus beetle has orange bodies with 12 black spots, and the larvae are similarly orange.

Susan Mulvihill, a seasoned grower and author of The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook, explains that spotted asparagus beetles inflict less damage compared to their common relatives.

'The adult common asparagus beetles and their larvae damage young asparagus spears and ferns through their feeding habits,' says Susan. 'Because the adult beetles and larvae chew on the foliage, this affects the plant’s ability to conduct photosynthesis. When this happens, the plants will experience a decline or even die.'

She adds: 'Both the spotted beetle adults and larvae feed solely on the asparagus berries, so they don’t cause damage to the spears or foliage.'

Asparagus beetles emerge in May or June and will damage plants throughout the rest of the season as they feed on spears and ferns. It is common for the pests to have two life cycles, but this can rise to four or five in climates with long growing seasons.

How to get rid of asparagus beetle

There are five key ways to control asparagus beetle, and we break down each one here:

1. Remove debris in the fall

There is one key thing you can do in the fall to help control asparagus beetle, and it is a quick, super-simple task that you should be doing annually anyway for a healthy and productive asparagus patch.

It is important not to cut back asparagus until the foliage turns yellow in the fall, as leaving the fronds to develop allows the plant to store energy for next year's harvest. You should prune the resulting asparagus fern once the colour changes and it begins to fall naturally, and this will help destroy asparagus beetles.

This is because asparagus beetles overwinter in plant material, and removing this makes it hard for the pests to survive the colder months. Cut down the stems to around two inches from the ground and dispose of them, as Susan recommends: 'Always clean up any garden debris so beetles won't have a place to hide.'

Removing any other piles of stems or leaf litter from near your asparagus patch, as well as the asparagus itself, will impact the asparagus beetle population and prevent them from appearing in huge numbers in spring to wreak havoc again.

2. Hand-pick the pests

It may be a more squeamish form of asparagus beetle control, but hand-picking the pests as you see them is a reliable way to deal with them. Any larger pests can be controlled in this way, including hand-picking snails to protect plants, but it requires vigilance and dedication.

Once the beetles and larvae start appearing from late spring onwards, closely monitor plants and remove any you see. They can be picked from the plant and dropped into a container of soapy water. Regularly hand-picking asparagus beetles can control their numbers.

It is also advisable to look for eggs – these will appear as dark eggs near the ends of the ferns – and wipe them off.

3. Attract beneficial predators

There are many beneficial insects you can attract to your yard to help combat asparagus beetles. Creating a more wildlife-friendly garden can attract birds, frogs, and predatory insects that will eat the larvae and adults.

'The great news is that asparagus beetles have many natural predators,' says Susan. 'These include lacewing larvae, ladybug larvae, the larvae of parasitic wasps, praying mantids and spiders.'

Companion planting for asparagus can be both beautiful and beneficial. In terms of edibles, tomatoes and eggplant produce solanine, which repels asparagus beetles. There are also flowers such as nasturtiums, zinnias, and cosmos that will attract ladybugs to your yard to eat the pests.

4. Use beneficial nematodes

Beneficial nematodes can be used as a natural pest control method to destroy the larval stage of the asparagus beetle. The microscopic soil-borne organisms seek out their prey and release bacteria into them, killing target host insects within 48 hours.

Beneficial nematodes can be applied in the spring or fall and are mixed with water to apply to plants. There are many species of nematodes, but Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes are the ideal type to target asparagus beetle larvae.

You can get Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes at Amazon.

5. Spray plants

Large infestations of asparagus beetles can be targeted by spraying plants with neem oil, while Susan also recommends making a garlic spray to deal with the pests.

Some chemicals can be used as a last resort, but pesticides can be toxic to pollinators and beneficial predators. You can use pyrethrin, but Susan highlights spinosad as another potential option.

You can get spinosad insecticide at Amazon; however, Susan warns: 'Always follow the label directions for the best results and use the minimum amount suggested.'

FAQs

Does diatomaceous earth kill asparagus beetles?

Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance derived from the remains of hard-shelled microscopic aquatic organisms called diatoms. The microscopic shards of the material cut insects and cause them to dehydrate. It can be used to control the asparagus beetle.

Always use food-grade diatomaceous earth, which is available from Amazon. Place a thin layer of the powder on stems, leaves, and soil where the asparagus beetles are active.

Can you eat asparagus beetle eggs?

If you harvest asparagus spears with asparagus beetle eggs on them, you can wipe the eggs off and eat the spears. The eggs themselves will not harm if consumed, but it is best to remove sections with eggs or clean the stems thoroughly before cooking the asparagus.

If your asparagus crowns start to disappoint and produce fewer, thinner stems, it could be because the plant has become overcrowded. You can rectify this by dividing asparagus in late fall, after you cut back the plant, or in early spring, before it starts to produce that season's spears.

Carefully dig up the crown and divide it into sections. You can plant the new asparagus pieces at least 18 inches apart in a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil.

When preparing for cold weather, spraying down your patio with vinegar is probably not on your to-do list; however, pest experts suggest that it could be the answer to stopping spiders in their tracks.

Better yet, it’s cheap, and only takes seconds – no more need to awkwardly scoop the eight-legged creeps up into a glass.

Here’s how this crazy-sounding hack can keep spiders away naturally to prevent an invasion, rather than having to treat one.

How spraying a patio with vinegar can prevent spiders

So far as natural pest control methods go, cleaning with vinegar is one of the easiest and most affordable. The idea behind this non-toxic pest control hack is that the strong odor confuses the chemoreceptors on a spider’s sensitive legs.

30% concentrated cleaning vinegar, from Walmart, doesn’t just work on spiders, either. As Tony King, pest control expert and founder of The Pied Piper Pest Control, explains, ‘strong scents can repel a whole host of pests and make them actively avoid your home.’

Simply add the vinegar to a spray bottle, also from Walmart, and apply to the area directly around your home’s perimeter, paying particular attention to the areas around doors and windows, applying daily, especially after rain.

For an extra added kick, Tony suggests adding some peppermint essential oil, from Amazon, to the vinegar mix before spraying.

He says, ‘Menthol, an active constituent of peppermint oil, has been documented to have repellent action against rodents, spiders, and ants. A few drops diluted in water in a spray bottle can be used to treat entry points, baseboards, and other high-traffic pest areas.’

Clove oil for spiders can also be effective.

Alongside homemade bug sprays, Scot Hodges, A.C.E., certified entomologist and VP of professional development and technical services at Arrow Exterminators, adds that you should be doing a little fall home maintenance.

Not only will it draft-proof your home, but it will help stop spiders from getting in, too.

‘To keep more spiders from entering, seal all holes and cracks along the foundation, as well as around doors, electrical wires, and plumbing,’ he urges. ‘Repair tears in window and door screens, too.’

We suggest the GE Advanced Silicone, from Lowe's, which is suited to outdoor use, and for around windows and doors.

Fall pest prevention

Meet the experts

If a creepy crawly does make it inside, be aware that you should never squash spiders in your home – doing so could make your problem ten times worse.

With the weather getting colder and wetter, you might notice more silverfish appearing around your home, attracted to the warmth and shelter.

While not harmful to humans, these little pests can be a nuisance in your home, causing damage to books, papers, or wallpaper. So, how can you get rid of them quickly, and without chemicals?

Here, entomologists share a clever and budget-friendly method to deal with these common indoor pests by taking advantage of their unusual feeding habits and reusing your old newspapers.

Why does old newspaper work to banish silverfish?

According to entomologists, a rolled-up newspaper can be used to catch and get rid of silverfish, which are commonly known for damaging books, clothing, and contaminating food sources in the kitchen. So, how does this natural pest control method work?

'Silverfish congregate in damp, warm environments, preferring humidity above 75 per cent and temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit,' advises Dr. Tracy Ellis, an award-winning entomologist at FarmSense. 'Rolled-up, moistened newspaper placed in humid, warm areas provides both shelter and food.

'Silverfish scrape apart the cellulose fibers of the paper with their mouthparts and digest them using specialized gut enzymes capable of breaking down cellulose.'

Then, once the silverfish have moved in, all that's left to do is dispose of the paper.

'It is simple to eliminate them all at once,' agrees Tony King, pest expert and founder of The Pied Piper Pest Control. 'This is a very old-fashioned but really efficient way of their reduction' if you've spotted any signs of silverfish infestation around your home.

Importantly, adds Tracy, silverfish also release aggregation pheromones to signal suitable sites for clustering, meaning that where one goes, more tend to follow.

However, if you're dealing with a significant infestation, you will, of course, need to keep an eye out for any signs that it's time to call pest control, like those at Orkin, who can deal with the issue efficiently and professionally.

How to use the newspaper method for silverfish

'To accomplish this properly, I recommend taking a few pages of newspaper, loosely rolling them into a tube, and then moistening them just enough, so they're damp but not wet,' advises Tony, using a spray bottle, such as the Great Value All Purpose Plastic Spray Bottle available at Walmart.

'Place the roll in areas where you've noticed silverfish activity, such as beside baseboard, under sinks, or in bathrooms,' all of which are common places for hidden pest harborage.

Then, all you need to do is wait for around a week before getting rid of the newspaper. For this, Tony recommends burning, while Tracy suggests placing the roll in a sealed bag and freezing the lot, before disposing in an outdoor trash bin.

This should prevent this common winter pest infestation from recurring later in the season by avoiding reintroducing them to your home.

What are the drawbacks of this method?

Ultimately, says Tony, the biggest drawback of this method is that it's really a trap-and-dispose strategy, rather than a true eradication step, says Tony.

'It won't eliminate a large infestation or eggs, so silverfish can still keep reappearing if the circumstances remain favorable. It also requires you to keep in mind to check and replace the traps on a regular basis, which for some is inconvenient.'

Additionally, advises Daniel Baldwin, board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control, it's best, really, to make sure silverfish don't have a reason to be there in the first place, and, if using this newspaper trick, to ensure it's done alongside other proven methods.

'Newspaper roll traps for silverfish can be paired with glue boards or sticky traps [such as the Catchmaster Max-Catch Mouse & Insect Glue Trap available at Amazon] that are placed along walls, baseboards, and behind furniture for additional monitoring,' suggests Tracy.

And, adds Tony, 'As part of a more comprehensive plan, I typically recommend combining this with products that kill silverfish outright.'

For example, he suggests the Dekko Silverfish Paks available at Walmart as his first choice, 'that work around the clock for several weeks,' or the Safer Home Diatomaceous Earth available at Amazon.

'This can be lightly sprinkled into crevices, behind equipment, and along baseboards to kill silverfish by dehydrating them,' he says. 'Using these products in combination with the newspaper method will give you significantly better long-term control.'

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

'Overall, the newspaper method serves as an investigatory aid to help identify primary harborage sites,' says Tracy. 'Once those are known, effective control requires measures such as reducing moisture, sealing entry points, and eliminating paper-based food sources.' For that reason, getting rid of silverfish also presents a surprising use for your dehumidifier.

Rats are resilient, opportunistic pests, and once they take up residence in your yard, they can quickly become a major problem. The most effective approach is proactive deterrence: controlling your outdoor environment to remove the three essentials rats need to survive – food, water, and shelter.

Start by securing trash cans, cleaning up fallen fruit, and storing pet food indoors to cut off food sources. Eliminate standing water by fixing leaky hoses or birdbaths, and trim overgrown vegetation. Seal gaps in fences and clear clutter such as woodpiles or debris that could serve as hiding spots.

When it comes to how to get rid of rats, these preventive measures are crucial. They also apply to getting rid of mice, as the same principles work for both pests. Rat-proofing and mouse-proofing your yard now protects your property and avoids the stress and expense of dealing with established colonies later.

How to keep rats out of your garden

Following these expert-recommended steps is essential for keeping your outdoor space rodent-free, as they not only help prevent rats and mice from establishing a foothold but also reduce the risk of property damage, protect your garden and landscaping, and minimize the need for costly professional pest control interventions in the future.

1. Practice meticulous yard sanitation

Rats thrive in clutter that provides cover from predators, so keeping your yard tidy is essential.

Remove debris: Clear away log piles, stacks of unused patio furniture, and old equipment that could serve as hiding spots.

Manage foliage: Keep grass trimmed and regularly rake up fallen leaves and yard waste. Garden maintenance expert Steve Clark notes, ‘By mowing your lawn frequently and removing debris, you reduce potential hiding spots for rodents.’

Destroy runways: Rats prefer to travel along covered edges rather than open spaces. Pest control expert Blair Calder advises, ‘Remove any runways they have that lead to the yard, and eliminate any harborage near the property.’

By systematically removing clutter, collecting leaves, managing vegetation, and eliminating pathways, you make your yard far less inviting to these opportunistic pests.

2. Secure all food sources

Any edible item left outdoors – from garden produce to pet food – is essentially an open invitation for rats.

Harvest diligently: Don’t leave ripe fruits or vegetables to rot on the vine or the ground. Pest control expert Blair Calder emphasizes, ‘It’s crucial to harvest all ripe fruit and vegetables right away in your garden; don’t leave them out for rodents.’

Manage bird feeders: Spilled birdseed is a major attractant. Use trays to catch fallen seed, clean the ground underneath regularly, and consider baffles to prevent rats from climbing.

Secure pet food and trash: Store pet food in sturdy, airtight containers. Choose heavy-duty trash cans – metal or solid plastic – with secure locking lids to prevent rats from chewing or tipping them over.

By controlling access to all food sources, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of rats taking up residence in your yard.

3. Eliminate all standing water

Rats need a consistent water source, so cutting off easy access makes your yard far less inviting.

Fix leaks: Repair dripping outdoor faucets, irrigation systems, or hoses.

Empty containers: Remove buckets, wheelbarrows, and any containers that can collect rainwater.

Maintain water features: Regularly clean or empty birdbaths and pet water bowls, particularly overnight, to deny rats a reliable source of water.

By removing standing water, you tackle one of the three essentials rats need to survive, making your yard a much less attractive place for them.

4. Rat-proof your compost bin

Compost heaps are a major draw for rats, offering warmth and easy access to food scraps.

Use secure bins: Avoid open piles. Opt for a tumbling composter or an elevated bin with solid sides and a tight-fitting lid to prevent burrowing.

Avoid attractants: Garden expert Steve Clark advises, ‘Compost bins are a prime attraction for rodents if left unsecured. Elevate the compost bin off the ground and use a tight, sealed lid.’ Steer clear of adding meat, dairy, or other high-value food scraps that are particularly tempting to rats.

By securing your compost and limiting attractants, you can enjoy the benefits of composting without inviting unwanted visitors to your yard.

5. Block entry points to your home

The most effective way to control rats is exclusion – stopping them from entering your house or shed in the first place. Remarkably, rats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter of an inch.

Seal gaps: Thoroughly inspect your foundation, siding, and utility entry points, including pipes, vents, and cables. Close any cracks or holes by stuffing them with steel wool – like this one from Amazon – combined with caulk, or cover larger openings with hardware cloth to keep rodents out.

Check vents: Make sure all vents, particularly foundation vents, are fitted with durable metal mesh to prevent rodents from sneaking inside.

Systematically blocking entry points creates a barrier that keeps rats out and provides long-term peace of mind.

6. Use aromatic deterrents

Rats are sensitive to strong scents, making fragrant plants and oils a helpful layer of defense – though planting alone won’t solve an infestation.

Plant aromatic herbs: Mint, lavender, and rosemary are smells that rats and mice hate. Garden expert Steve Clark advises, ‘Planting them near entry points like fences, garden beds, or the perimeter of your house can help.’

Use essential oils: For a more concentrated effect, soak cotton balls in peppermint essential oil and place them in problem areas, refreshing them weekly. Pest control specialist Blair Calder cautions that ‘you will need large quantities of fragrant plants to keep rats out for good,’ so essential oils can serve as a stronger, temporary solution.

The Mighty Mint Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent Spray, available on Amazon, is a top-rated best-seller with more than 30,000 glowing reviews.

Combining aromatic plants with other preventative measures helps create a multi-layered approach that makes your yard far less appealing to rats.

7. Encourage natural predators

Harness the power of nature to help keep rats at bay in your yard.

Utilize pets: The presence and scent of cats or dogs can be enough to deter rodents from taking up residence.

Attract birds of prey: Maintain an open, clutter-free yard. Garden expert Steve Clark explains, ‘Keeping grass short also allows predators, like birds of prey, to spot and deter pests more easily.’ You can also place a decoy owl on a high fence post or another strategic location to simulate a natural threat and keep rats on edge.

Integrating natural predators with other preventive measures strengthens your yard’s defenses and makes it far less inviting to rodents.

Keeping your yard rat-free requires a multi-pronged, consistent effort. By eliminating their core needs and maintaining vigilance, you can successfully discourage rodents from settling near your home. If you have a larger rat issue, it's worth calling on the help of a professional, such as Orkin which provides rodent pest control services.

You may have heard of burning rosemary for spiritual cleansing – a practice many people begin on October 1st – but that’s not the only use our pros recommend for this versatile herb.

In fact, they say rosemary can also help improve your home’s air quality and even deter pests.

Here, they share how to use rosemary to repel mosquitoes and freshen up your space.

How to use rosemary to repel pests

Tony King, pest expert and founder of The Pied Piper Pest Control, says burning rosemary can be used as a natural pest control method.

'Rosemary, when burned to repel insects, works because of the strong aromatic chemicals released during combustion,' he explains. 'Rosemary contains essential oils like cineole, camphor, and pinene, which are natural insect repellents.

'These oils evaporate in the form of smoke when burned, and this environment disrupts the sensory mechanism of the insects, particularly their ability to detect humans or food sources, so they are less likely to remain nearby.

'This also renders burning rosemary a completely natural deterrent that doesn't employ chemical pesticides, making it ideal for those who prefer an organic method,' and non-toxic pest control alternatives.

It's a scent that deters mosquitoes, including keeping mosquitoes away from windows and the front door, advises Tony, as these flying insects are very sensitive to strong smells.

In the same way, burning rosemary will also work as a home remedy to get rid of flies, get rid of gnats, and even some moths.

'It will not get rid of all of the insects, but it can make a significant difference in outdoor areas or closed spaces,' he adds. 'For example, if you are having a party in the backyard, burning rosemary in seating areas where people are congregating or along the perimeter of the area can make a noticeable difference in the number of mosquitoes,' while also working as a non-toxic way to make a home smell nice.

To do so, says Tony, start with fresh rosemary sprigs if possible, as they contain more volatile oils than dried ones.

'Light the tips of the sprigs using a lighter or match, then gently blow out the flames so that the rosemary smolders, producing thick smoke rather than open fire,' he continues. 'Use a metal or fireproof container [such as the American Metalcraft Steel Pail available at Amazon] to catch any ash and prevent accidents.

'You can also bunch several sprigs together for a longer-lasting smoke source. For even more effectiveness, combine this with other natural repellents, like citronella candles or lavender, to create a broader insect-deterring area.'

For this, we recommend the Mainstays Citronella Scented Metal Bucket Candle available at Walmart.

Of course, in the case of more extreme infestations, you'll still need to keep an eye out for any signs it's time to call pest control, like those at Orkin, who can deal with the problem quickly, professionally and properly.

How to use rosemary to improve air quality

That's not all, either. You can also use rosemary to improve air quality indoors, and as a quick way to make a home smell nice.

Josh Mitchell, HVAC expert and founder of AirConditionerLab, explains, 'Burning rosemary can improve air quality by releasing antimicrobial compounds as it smolders.

'When rosemary burns, it releases compounds such as 1,8-cineole and camphor. Some lab tests have shown that these can reduce certain airborne bacteria. I’ve used it in homes that feel stale or musty after being shut up for a few days. It’s not a replacement for good ventilation, but it can help freshen the air in the short term.'

For that reason, it's still important to open windows, even in winter.

To try this natural way to improve the air quality in your home when living in a city, Josh says that he bundles rosemary sprigs with a cotton string, available at Walmart, before lighting the end and blowing it out so it smolders.

'It should give off light smoke, not an open flame,' he advises. 'I either place it in a small cast-iron pan or walk it slowly around the space. One bundle usually smokes for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how dry it is.

'I always open a window so the smoke has somewhere to go. This works best in smaller rooms under 200 square feet. In larger spaces, the effect fades faster unless the windows and doors are kept closed while burning.'

Josh says that he usually does this once a week, particularly after cooking something with a strong odor, like fish.

'I also recommend storing rosemary bundles in a paper bag or a sealed glass jar,' he adds, such as the ComSaf Airtight Glass Jars available at Amazon, as if they pick up any moisture, they won't burn properly, and may produce harsh smoke instead of the clean herbal smell you want.

Importantly, continues Josh, this method doesn't help with particles like dust, pet dander, VOCs from paint or cleaning sprays.

'For those, I still recommend using a properly sized air purifier or making sure your HVAC system is running a MERV 11 or better filter,' he suggests. 'Burning rosemary is more of a supplement than a fix.'

Additionally, if anyone in the house has asthma or reacts to strong smells, Josh recommends skipping this altogether or sticking to burning rosemary outdoors only.

'The smoke is light, but it still contains particulates,' he explains.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

You can also use rosemary as a way to make your fire smell good, or try cleansing a house with sage.

It can be rather unsettling to spot a slithering creature make its away across your lawn, which is why many of us will be keen to deter snakes from the yard. The good news is there's lots you can do to effectively keep them away and make your outdoor space reptile-free.

Although, you may be surprised to learn having snakes in your yard is actually a positive sign of thriving biodiversity. But, this doesn't take away from the fact their presence can be anxiety-inducing, especially if you have children and pets running around. Even if you have some of the best snake-repellent plants growing in your yard, you can strengthen your efforts by keeping your garden neat and tidy, and by removing any food and shelter snakes might seek.

Here, gardening expert Reese Robbins shares his top natural tricks for deterring snakes from the yard, plus some insights on how to know for sure these unwelcome creatures are lingering in your outdoor space.

How to know if you have snakes in your yard

Reese notes there are a few tell-tale signs to determine whether snakes are hanging around your yard:

'Snakes shed their skin several times a year. If you find a papery, crinkly skin caught in mulch, logs, rocks, or behind a planter, that’s a clear indicator one has been nearby recently,' he says.

'In dusty, sandy, or soft soil, snakes may leave behind winding, S-shaped tracks. These aren’t always easy to spot, but gardeners or anyone walking barefoot in soft areas might notice them,' Reese notes.

But, it isn't just the tracks snakes leave behind that tell you they've visited:

'Ironically, if you don’t see rats, mice, or even frogs as much as you used to, you might have a helpful predator in the area. Snakes are excellent pest control agents, and their presence often explains the sudden absence of small nuisances,' Reese explains.

For this reason, you might be more than happy to welcome snakes to help get rid of mice and keep rats away from your yard.

If, however, the idea of serpents roaming around isn't one you enjoy, Reese recommends these methods to deter snakes from your yard.

Natural ways to deter snakes from your yard

Where possible, it's always good to use natural pest control methods. Not only does it offer a kinder approach to remove unwanted visitors from the yard, but it also prevents the use of chemicals that can harm plant life in your garden.

1. Keep your grass short

To deter snakes from your yard, you need to make your outdoor space less appealing to them. This includes removing any possible shelter for them to take up residence in.

'Tall grass gives snakes cover from predators and heat. Short lawns make them feel exposed,' Reese explains.

Keep on top of lawn care to manage the height of your grass and if you live in an area with a high snake population, consider not using ornamental grasses in your yard.

Of course, take care to avoid lawn mower mistakes to maintain a healthy lawn. This includes not mowing too frequently, but just enough to keep your grass short.

You should also use a string trimmer (like this one on Amazon) to keep the edges of your grass neat and remove possible hiding spots for snakes.

2. Keep your yard clutter-free

Tall grass isn't the only thing that provides snakes with somewhere to hide. Debris, piled up tools, boxes, and other clutter also provide some shade and hiding spots for these stealthy creatures.

'Piles of wood, compost, rocks, and even unused flower pots offer cool hiding spots. Reduce debris to make your space less inviting,' Reese says.

Using some plant pot storage can make this a lot easier. For example, this potting shed shelf unit from Amazon allows you to keep everything organized and off the floor. Likewise, you can display your essential gardening tools with this tool organizer from Amazon.

3. Limit water sources

Shelter isn't the only thing bringing snakes to your yard, you can also successfully deter them by taking away essential resources like water.

'Standing water can attract frogs and rodents, both snake food,' explains Reese. 'Fix leaky hoses and avoid leaving out pet bowls,' he advises.

If you do have a garden pond, use methods to stop it standing stagnant. This includes using a submersible pond pump (from Amazon) and limiting the number of pond plants you have, which can often be the cause behind still water in a pond.

And if you do have a leaking garden hose, use our easy guide to fix a garden hose. It might just be that you need some repair connectors (from Amazon).

4. Use natural snake repellents in your yard

Alongside making some changes to your yard to make it less appealing, you can deter snakes from your yard with natural repellents.

'Use strong-smelling substances like clove oil (from Walmart), cinnamon oil, or sulfur-based repellents,' Reese recommends.

Be aware though, 'results can be mixed,' Reese notes. So, it's best to pair these natural repellents with other methods for a stronger approach.

You can also grow some of the best pest-repellent plants that deter snakes, including marigolds (plants from Walmart) and rosemary (plants from Walmart).

5. Seal possible entry points

This doesn't just refer to gaps in garden fences to stop snakes coming into the yard, but you should also be mindful to seal any gaps in sheds and garages where snakes may retreat to.

'Check for holes or cracks in sheds, garages, or under porches where snakes might take shelter,' Reese advises.

You can seal these gaps in a number of ways, depending on what kind of gap it is. For example, if you have a large gap beneath your shed door, try using this weather stripping for doors from Amazon.

It can be a wise idea to regularly check the perimeters of your property for this reason, ensuring no new gaps have emerged for snakes and other pests to sneak through.

FAQs

Do snakes eat plants?

No, snakes do not eat plants and it's very unlikely they will use your garden plants as a food source. Rather, they feed on rodents, insects, and even fish, as they are carnivores. By using methods to keep rodents away from your yard, you can deter snake presence, too.

It can be surprising what it means to have these disconcerting creatures in your yard. Just like snakes being a sign of a healthy ecosystem in your outdoor space, having bats in the yard tends to indicate thriving biodiversity.

Shop other natural snake repellent essentials:

Groundhogs have notoriously big appetites and a penchant for several of our favorite garden flowers.

Despite being very cute, they are one of those vexing garden pests that destroy plants. It's important not to harm them, but simply make your garden a place they won't want to stick around in.

Whilst they eat pretty much all plant material in their wake, there are plants that they cannot abide. Here are five plants that groundhogs will hate and steer well clear of.

1. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

Groundhogs despise catmint. They can't stand its intensely fragrant foliage.

Happily, catmint is very beautiful and looks great when planted in great swathes, so it's an easy plant to incorporate. In terms of where to grow catmint, for this purpose, it is best to plant around the perimeter of flower beds to prevent groundhogs from wandering in.

Catmint is low-maintenance and self-sufficient. While it will slightly depend on the species, most can be grown somewhere from zone 3 to zone 9.

2. Alliums

Groundhogs rely heavily on their sense of smell to detect their next meal. Allium plants, including onions, garlic, and chives, contain high volumes of sulfur compounds that give them a very pungent smell, and this is not to groundhogs' liking one bit.

Our advice is to plant as many allium varieties as you can, and come spring, you will be rewarded with showy, nectar-rich flowers.

Best grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-8, alliums are best planted from September through to late October.

3. Foxgloves (Digitalis)

Digitalis is probably best known as the original, number one cottage garden staple. Suitable in hardiness zones 3-9, these are easy, fuss-free plants that are a doddle to grow.

Foxgloves are toxic to groundhogs, and this toxicity can be detected by them, making them thoroughly unappealing and dangerous for these critters.

4. Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

A terrific spring-flowering perennial that serves as one of the very best and most beautiful best ground cover plants, Lily of the valley's looks belie her character, since the plants are highly toxic to mammals.

If you have dogs and cats, they just be cautious about planting this, though my dogs tend to leave it well alone as soon as they smell it. This very same behaviours is mimicked in rabbits, deer and groundhogs, for that matter.

Happy in hardiness zones 2-9, this is a super easy grower.

5. French marigolds (Tagetes patula)

If you are having a particular issue with groundhogs and squirrels totally decimating your veg patch, then you simply must grow marigolds in your vegetable garden.

In short, they are one of the best pest-repellent plants you can add to a vegetable garden, and you will only regret not having planted them sooner. They deter aphids, snails, rabbits, groundhogs, squirrels, and deer.

The key to success? Plant marigolds around the edge of your flower or veg beds. Their very intense peppery smell has a profound effect on the sensitive nostrils of a groundhog. They are so easy to grow it's almost miraculous, and they will tolerate pretty much any soil type in zones 2-10.

Shop groundhog deterrents

If groundhogs really are a menace, I would also use cayenne pepper, which you can buy for less when you buy it in bulk, and tap this around you vulnerable plants. You can buy a huge 5lb tub of cayenne pepper at Amazon.

It's that time of year again when closet pests such as moths, cockroaches, and silverfish, are rife. But, did you know, the key to deterring them is probably stashed away in your pantry already?

What you need, our pest pros reveal, is bay leaves, for a non-toxic, affordable, all-natural deterrent that also keeps your clothes smelling fresh all season.

Here's why entomologists suggest this clever way to prevent moths in the closet.

Why you should put bay leaves in your closet to deter pests

So, why do bay leaves work to prevent insects that cause holes in clothes?

Jeff Schumacher, owner at All-Safe Pest & Termite, explains, 'They work as a natural pest control method because of their strong scent and the oils they release, such as eucalyptol and cineole.

'These compounds irritate insects, confuse their sense of smell, and can even make food sources harder for them to find. That’s why pests like moths, cockroaches, and silverfish tend to avoid areas where bay leaves are present.'

Additionally, highlights Adham Perriseau, licensed pest management professional and eco solutions specialist at Dr. Killigan's, these compounds also mask food or fabric odors, making the space less attractive to common indoor pests in general.

But, says Ed Dolshun, vice president of business development and tech director at Catchmaster, 'This is going to be more of a mild deterrent than a true fix,' which is important to keep in mind. For example, when dealing with significant infestations, you need to keep an eye out for the signs it's time to call pest control. This is because pros, like those at Orkin, will be able to provide targeted treatments tailored to you.

How to use bay leaves to deter pests in your closet

To try this non-toxic pest control method, advises Ed, the easiest way is to tuck dried bay leaves into small drawstring mesh bags, available at Walmart, or sachets, and hang them in your closet

'Some people also put a drop of bay leaf essential oil on a cotton ball for a stronger effect,' he adds. 'This will need to be refreshed often, since the scent fades quickly.' We recommend the Bay Leaf Essential Oil available at Amazon for this. Using a carrier oil, such as refracted coconut oil can help the essential oil last longer.

Also, says Jeff, 'You can mix a few drops of bay leaf essential oil with water in a spray bottle [such as the Great Value All Purpose Plastic Spray Bottle available at Walmart] and spritz shelves or fabrics.'

Drawbacks of using bay leaves to deter pests in your closet

The main drawbacks here, says Adham, is that the scent of bay leaves will fade fairly quickly, so the leaves or oils will need to be replaced regularly to stay effective.

Additionally, 'Bay leaves only repel pests – they won't kill existing infestations – and in rare cases, dried leaves can become brittle and crumble, creating a bit of mess,' he warns. If this does happen, using your best vacuum, is the quickest and easiest way to clean it up. We recommend the BLACK+DECKER dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum available at Amazon.

So, concludes Jeff, 'While they're a great natural option, they won't fully solve a bigger infestation.'

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the experts

Do portable pest repellent fans really work? Well, our pros recommend them for use both inside and outdoors.

As the seasons change, you'll want to keep kissing bugs out of your house, especially as they will be on the hunt for a cozy space to escape miserable winter weather.

They are not only disease-carrying, but once kissing bugs are inside, they can be notoriously tricky to get rid of. That's why pest pros urge you to invest in some quality weatherproof caulking, such as the DAP INC. Caulk with Silicone, from Amazon, to start sealing up your home now.

It’s a small fix with big benefits for both comfort, health and peace of mind. Here's why it's a must for savvy Amazon shoppers looking to prevent indoor pests.

The DIY essential you need to keep kissing bugs out of your house

Kissing bugs are more than just a nuisance. They can spread Chagas disease, a serious condition that can lead to chronic, life-long conditions in up to 30% of victims when not treated correctly, according to the CDC.

As such, it is vital that you prevent these pests from coming inside, rather than risk them sneaking in whilst scouting for warmth, shelter, and hidden places to harbor their young.

As kissing bugs rarely respond to roach traps, the solution is simple – draft-proof your home with quality, crack-proof caulk to stop them from creeping inside in the first place.

Sealing window gaps and caulking around plumbing and electrical inlets is a simple DIY skill every homeowner should know, and can stop kissing bugs from squeezing their way in when you aren't around.

The important thing is to invest in a quality caulk that is flexible, meaning that it will not crack when your house inevitably settles or shifts slightly due to the heat or cold.

That's where the DAP INC. caulk comes in, with over 9,000 Amazon shoppers opting for it over the last month alone.

Verified Amazon shopper PrimingFX, shared in their five-star review, 'With years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the DAP Caulk has become an indispensable tool in my daily routine. This remarkable product deserves a positive review from the viewpoint of someone who relies on it day in and day out.

'It's sturdy, reliable, and stands up to the toughest construction challenges. When it comes to sealing gaps and joints, it excels, making my projects more durable and weather-resistant. It adheres flawlessly to a wide range of surfaces, from wood and metal to concrete and masonry.'

They add that it is super easy to use, too, making it ideal for the everyday DIY-er, plus it sets quickly, providing instant protection against pests such as kissing bugs.

Preventing pests also comes down to staying on top of fall home maintenance, removing debris from around the exterior of your home to discourage them from coming too close, and avoiding firewood storage mistakes so you do not accidentally carry them inside with your stash.

If you suspect that kissing bugs have entered your home, it is time to call professional pest control experts in to handle the problem.

Orkin pest control, for example, deals with a large variety of common pests, including kissing bugs, and can help tackle the problem at the source.

What to shop

Pest prevention doesn't stop at sealing up gaps. These extra pest essentials can help keep your home free from creepy crawlies all season long.

Kissing bugs are not the only threat to your peace at home in the cold season. There are several common fall pests to watch out for that could damage your home or impact your health.

I don't know about you, but recently I have been walking around my home on eggshells, scared an unwelcome critter will run across the floor at any moment. Spider season is in full swing and these disconcerting eight-legged insects are making their presence known in our homes. There's an easy way to deter them, though: growing plants that repel spiders indoors.

While these aren't necessarily the traditional, ornamental indoor plants you may think of, there are plenty of fragrant plants to grow indoors as a method to keep spiders away. These plants have strong fragrances and contain chemicals these pests can't stand, discouraging them from sticking around in your home.

From my experience of adding these plants to my indoor garden, they're effective at repelling a number of other pests, too. Here, I share the top five plants to grow indoors to repel spiders and some tips on how to grow them successfully.

5 plants to grow indoors to repel spiders

If you get the shivers at the sight of insects lingering around your home, you'll be pleased to know these plants to grow indoors to repel spiders also play a role in deterring mosquitoes and other bugs:

1. Rosemary

The best place to start when choosing plants to grow indoors to repel spiders is an indoor herb garden. Rosemary is a top plant to incorporate into your herb garden to keep spiders away.

Rosemary contains essential oils like eucalyptol and camphor, creating a strong scent spiders do not like.

Grow rosemary indoors on your sunniest windowsill (using rosemary seeds from Burpee) and at other entry points to discourage spiders entering your home. Or, you can place fresh sprigs of rosemary around your home – just make sure to harvest rosemary correctly when doing this.

You can find rosemary plants at Walmart. Alternatively, using rosemary essential oil (from Amazon) to do the same job.

2. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is another plant to grow indoors to repel spiders. While growing eucalyptus can refer to a wide range of trees for the yard, indoor eucalyptus tends to be more compact varieties, such as 'Silver Dollar' (seedling from Amazon) or 'Baby Blue' (seedling from Amazon).

Eucalyptus is commonly used to keep insects out of the house, thanks to its strong-smelling essential oils. Spiders use sensory hairs on their legs to detect chemical signals, which these oils disrupt and block.

For this reason, many people choose to hang eucalyptus in the shower to keep the bathroom spider-free.

When growing eucalyptus indoors, choose a spot near a sunny window as these plants do best with six to eight hours of direct sun a day. A south-facing window would work well for this.

3. Scented pelargonium

This is another plant to consider growing indoors to keep spiders away. Scented pelargonium, specifically 'Citronella', is an effective bug repellent.

Its citrus smell is known to repel the insects spiders prey on, including mosquitoes. Having pelargonium 'Citronella' (from Amazon) in your home can therefore make it a less desirable location for spiders, as it helps to remove their food source.

The scent is on the foliage of these plants, which can be enhanced by crushing the leaves. You can then sprinkle this in spider-prone areas of your home, just as you would use citronella essential oil (from Amazon).

Scented pelargoniums are tender perennials and suit being grown as houseplants. To encourage blooms, grow citronella in a direct sun position and allow them to dry out between watering to avoid root rot.

4. Chrysanthemum

Alongside the houseplants for fall color, consider growing chrysanthemums indoors this season to deter spiders. Popular for containers in the yard, these fall blooms are known to repel a wide range of insects.

The reason being, chrysanthemums produce the chemical pyrethrin, which is one of the best natural pest control solutions.

Pyrethrins disrupt and attack the nervous systems of insects, including spiders. It can leave them paralyzed and even kill them. Meanwhile, the herbal and earthy scent of mums is pleasant to us humans, making it a perfect option for an indoor plant to make your living room smell nice.

Just like growing mums outdoors, indoor growing requires deadheading chrysanthemums. This will encourage continuous blooms through fall, offering longer spider protection. Use these pruning snips from Amazon to do this.

Find chrysanthemum plants at Walmart.

5. Basil

Another aromatic herb to include in your kitchen windowsill garden to keep spiders out is basil.

In high volumes, basil produces enough of a pungent scent that spiders will avoid. However, a singular basil plant will still make your home less desirable to spiders by deterring the insects they prey on.

This is because basil contains essential oils like linalool and eugenol which mosquitoes, fleas, and flies steer clear of.

When growing basil indoors, remember to keep moisture levels up. It would be a herb gardening mistake to let your basil plant's soil dry out entirely, likely to cause your basil to wilt.

I've had success with making my supermarket basil plant last longer by pruning basil regularly. This encourages bushier growth, improving its use as a pest repellent.

You can purchase basil plants from Walmart, or grow it with these basil seeds from Amazon.

FAQs

Are there any traditional houseplants that repel spiders?

Traditional houseplants (largely ornamental, evergreen tropical plants), are not typically known to repel houseplants. Rather, it is fragrant plants that be grown indoors that are used as spider repellents. Having said that, some traditional houseplants can help to make your home less desirable to spiders, like the best indoor air cleaning plants. However, using fragrant plants with pest-repelling essential oils is the most reliable way to use plants to deter spiders in the home.

Other ways to keep spiders out of the home is by keeping on top of cleaning and even using clove oil as a spider deterrent. Cleaning houseplants leaves regularly will also help ensure these creepy crawlies haven't wandered into your home.

With the peak of spider season upon us, there's one area of your home that experts recommend cleaning as soon as possible – your baseboards.

As they explain, this spot commonly houses undisturbed eight-legged inhabitants, where they're able to hide, breed, keep their eggs safe, and find food. Therefore, banishing them from these corners and crevices will reduce the number of spiders that pop up in your home.

Here, professional cleaners and entomologists explain why this is one of the best ways to keep spiders away.

Why you need to vacuum your baseboards every spider season

As Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, says, 'Cleaning your baseboards is one of the simplest but most effective ways to discourage spiders from making themselves at home. While this doesn’t mean vacuuming live spiders, keeping these areas clean removes what attracts them in the first place.'

There are a number of reasons why this helps. For starters, says Karina, as spiders like to build webs in undisturbed corners and along baseboards, this will help remove those. 'Regular vacuuming clears away any structures they've started,' she explains.

Additionally, it disrupts hiding spots and eliminates food sources, where small insects may otherwise gather in dusty corners, encouraging loitering spiders to move elsewhere.

Ed Dolshun from Catchmaster, adds, 'By doing this you are not just clearing out webs but you could be removing egg sacs and old insect carcasses. A substantial buildup of dust and debris can provide suitable places for spiders to lay eggs along the baseboards. Accumulated pet hair can also exacerbate this.'

Most importantly, as Jeff Schumacher, the owner at All-Safe Pest & Termite, highlights, 'With fewer cozy corners and less leftover clutter, they’re less likely to linger,' which is why this method works to get rid of spiders in basements, keep spiders out of a garage, and reduce their numbers anywhere else.

How to vacuum your baseboards to banish spiders

Luckily, cleaning your baseboards, which are likely one of the places you definitely aren't cleaning but should be, is easy.

'Use the crevice tool attachment on your vacuum to run along the length of your baseboards, especially in corners where dust gathers,' advises Karina. 'Opt for a vacuum with strong suction, such as the Shark Upright Vacuum Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe available at Amazon, which handles edges and corners effectively.

'Vacuum baseboards weekly, or more often if you live in a spider-prone area. Follow up with a quick wipe-down using a damp microfiber cloth, like the Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, also available at Amazon, to remove lingering dust.'

For any recurring or severe infestations, it's best to call pest control. For example, Orkin can provide spider pest control plans tailored to your home and its specific pest problem.

Of course, it's important to keep in mind that spiders are really not all bad. In fact, they're actually beneficial to have around the house.

'Most are harmless and actually help by catching flies, gnats, and other nuisance insects,' says Ed, and Jeff agrees, adding, 'Spiders can be a quiet ally in your home. They naturally thin out other pests, keeping populations of flies, moths, and gnats in check. For many homeowners, having a spider or two tucked away in the corner is a small price to pay for a bug-free space.'

However, Ed warns, 'I would maybe refrain from trying to control a population of any insect within your home.'

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Do you know why you should never squash spiders in your home?

With mice becoming more active as we approach fall, you may be considering ultrasonic pest control to keep them at bay. Not only are they a chemical-free and cruelty-free way to say goodbye to mice, they're also quick, convenient, and safe to use around children and pets.

We asked experts if ultrasonic pest repellents work, and the answer is yes! That's another string to the bow of this Mouse Repellent Ultrasonic Plug in, available at Amazon, which is flying off the proverbial shelves, with hundreds bought in the last month alone.

Why this ultrasonic pest control solution is so popular

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you've ever spotted the telltale signs you have mice, tried to get rid of rodents in the walls, or prevent mice from getting into your house, you'll know how truly difficult it is. They're small, agile, extremely quick, and your struggles to contain an infestation could lead to a burst in population if you're trying to catch mice humanely or avoid using chemicals or traps.

Enter the Mouse Repellent Ultrasonic Plug in, available at Amazon. It's cruelty-free, effective, more reliable (and less messy) than other non-toxic solutions, like using cinnamon to keep rodents out of your kitchen, for example.

With satisfied customers leaving five-star reviews commending its 'easy setup, immediate results,' that it's a brilliant 'kid-friendly solution,' and 'a smarter way to repel' which 'works in every room,' the results speak for themselves.

Unlike natural spritzes and sprays, this method uses advanced ultrasonic and strobe light, with automatic sensor technology, to target the rodent's hearing, smell, and nervous system, creating an uncomfortable environment they'll want to avoid, with no mess, no clean-up and, most importantly, no guilt.

The LED strobe lights can be automatically or manually controlled, if you prefer, while PIR sensors trigger ultrasonic waves to intensify the mice's discomfort, without causing them any harm, for 360° coverage 24/7, and comprehensive protection of up to 1290 square feet.

So, if you've been looking for an odor-free, chemical-free, non-toxic pest control method to get rid of mice from a garage, get rid of mice in the attic, or target them anywhere else for effective results in only three weeks, we're sure this is the product for you.

What to shop

There are also a number of other common pests to watch out for and protect your home from in the fall, such as raccoons, squirrels, and opossums.

Keeping on top of pest control can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle. I've tried and tested a wide range of hacks and tools to keep nuisance critters out of my flower beds, but they don't always prove to provide long-term protection. However, online shoppers have caught my attention with their raving reviews of this Amazon solar ultrasonic animal repellent. They say it's 'simple, effective, and reliable.'

Just when I thought my recent find of a ultrasonic mole repellent was good, this ultrasonic repellent proves to be even better. Not only does it emit sound to deter animals wreaking havoc, it also flashes strobe lighting. The result? Effectively discouraging the presence of deer, racoons, squirrels, chipmunks, and more.

It's rated five stars for its durability, low-maintenance nature, and ability to keep away a wide range of pests that destroy plants. Plus, you get two repellents in the pack, so it's a no-brainer that it's going straight in my shopping basket.

Why Shoppers Are Choosing This Ultrasonic Repellent

This solar ultrasonic animal repellent with strobe lights has a 5-star rating with satisfied shoppers singing its praises:

'This isn’t one of those cheap plastic gadgets. It’s built well, and you can tell it’s meant to be outside long-term. I haven’t had any issues since using it,' one reviewer writes about the durability of the repellent.

Another customer adds: 'I’ve had this through wind, dust, and all kinds of weather - it’s holding up great.'

Not only this, but the combination of strobe lighting and ultrasonic sound is proving to be an effective natural pest control method for a wide range of destructive animals.

'It’s been great at keeping squirrels and deer out of my vegetable patch,' one reviewer notes. '[It] stays on, no matter the weather, and works quietly in the background,' they add.

If you do have a kitchen garden and you're nervous about potential pests helping themselves to your harvest, shoppers say this solar ultrasonic animal repellent is doing a good job at keeping crops safe.

'I placed this near my tomato plants, and no more chewed leaves or knocked-over pots. Works better than I expected, and the build feels solid,' one shopper writes.

Another bonus is that it isn't disruptive to humans, unlike some ultrasonic repellents which emit a constant, repetitive noise:

'It's not noisy, doesn't bother people, and only emits ultrasonic waves when animals come,' says a satisfied customer.

The installation is also easy, with spikes to insert in the ground.

I'm personally struggling to find a downside to this solar ultrasonic animal repellent, especially considering you get two in the pack.

Although, it may be a little bit pricey at $58.99, but undoubtedly an investment worth making if you're struggling to get rid of squirrels or keep deer away from plants.

Of course, you may also find these repellents a little unsightly, as they sit above surface level. However, I plan to hide mine among my planting so it isn't too visible, but will still have sunlight exposure for solar charging.

Pair Your Ultrasonic Animal Repellent with Other Non-Toxic Pest Control Tools

It's always best to combine pest control methods for a more effective approach. For example, if you have specific plants being attacked, try sprinkling spices that deter common garden pests around it.

I'm always amazed by the number of items in my kitchen cupboard that can be used invaluably in the garden. Take cornstarch, for example. Not only can it be used for homemade sauces, but it's also an essential ingredient in plant pest control, storing bulbs, and planting seeds. But, how exactly does this work?

You may already know about the things you clean around the house with cornstarch, but its use extends outdoors, too. It's a great addition to natural pest control methods and is useful when it comes to handling bulbs and seeds. There's no single way to use cornstarch in the garden, but each method is sure to make your gardening jobs a whole lot easier.

Here, I explore three of the best ways to use cornstarch in the garden, with tips on how to make the most of this kitchen ingredient in your yard.

3 ways to use cornstarch in the garden

These ways to use cornstarch in the garden will excite you if you already love to make homemade bug sprays or experiment with non-chemical DIYs, such as using coffee grounds for plants.

1. Use cornstarch to stop pests

If you have a problem with pests that destroy plants, turn to cornstarch to resolve the issue. More specifically, you can use cornstarch to get rid of aphids and other soft-bodied insects, including getting rid of ants.

'You can dust a light layer of cornstarch (from Walmart) on the leaves or soil where ants or beetles are active,' describes pest control expert Ed Dolshun. 'The fine powder clogs their breathing pores and dehydrates them, which is why it works.

'Of course, it is non-toxic, so it won’t harm pets or plants if used sparingly,' Ed adds.

There is a word of warning when doing this, though:

'Don’t overapply cornstarch. A heavy coating can clump when it gets wet, which could be bad for soil health or the plant’s leaves,' Ed warns. 'It can also disrupt beneficial insects if they come into contact with it, so only use it in targeted areas where you know the pest pressure is high.'

To help prevent a build-up of cornstarch, flush the leaves and soil every few days. Simply use a watering can (from Amazon) to do this

2. Use cornstarch to store tubers and bulbs

Another way to use cornstarch in the garden is for storing bulbs and tubers. This is because cornstarch can be used as a drying agent, just like these silica gel packets from Amazon, which can also be used when storing bulbs.

When it comes to overwintering tender bulbs and lifting and storing tubers, they need to be kept somewhere dry. Dusting them in cornstarch will keep moisture out.

It's also a natural fungicide, so it will prevent any mold or fungal diseases from developing, helping to keep bulbs viable while in storage.

Once dusted in cornstarch, it's a good idea to keep your bulbs and tubers in breathable jute bags (like these from Amazon), and in a sheltered, dry location.

3. Use cornstarch for DIY seed tape

This final item on my list of ways to use cornstarch in the garden is a fun project to take on: you can use it as an adhesive for DIY seed tape.

Seed tape (from Amazon) is a tool that helps space seeds evenly when planting. It helps avoid seed sowing mistakes, like planting too close together, later resulting in plant roots not having sufficient room to grow.

Making your own seed tape is a sustainable gardening idea. It consists of using biodegradable paper (from Amazon) and an adhesive to stick seeds to it. You can then plant the tape and it breaks down over time, while the seeds germinate and grow.

Of course, it's ideal to use a biodegradable, non-toxic adhesive to prevent chemicals being infused into your soil. This is where cornstarch comes in.

Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a cup of water to make a paste. This gives you your adhesive for the seed tape.

Other ways to space your seeds include using a seed spacer dibber (from Amazon)

FAQs

Can you use cornstarch on houseplants?

Yes, cornstarch can be used on houseplants. It can be added into a mixture with water and soap to create a spray to treat powdery mildew, for example. Or, you can dust some cornstarch on plant leaves to get rid of aphids on houseplants. Just keep in mind not to overuse cornstarch on houseplants. A thick layer can hinder the health of houseplant soil and foliage. Clean houseplant leaves regularly to avoid a build-up.

When reaching for cornstarch in your kitchen cupboard, consider also using some other ingredients in the garden. For example, you can use cayenne pepper to deter squirrels, use eggshells to protect plants from slugs, and use vinegar to kill weeds.

Japanese beetles are one of those pests you might not notice, but you'll certainly spot the destruction they leave behind. Measuring just half an inch long, these shiny little beetles have metallic green bodies and feed on foliage and petals. Not only this, but their larvae feed on plant roots. Finding an effective way to keep them out of your yard is therefore key to protecting your planting.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get rid of and kill Japanese beetles if you do find them in your yard. But, taking precautionary measures is often the most effective way to stop their damage. This includes avoiding the plants that attract Japanese beetles, making your yard less attractive to them.

Just like Japanese beetle-repellent plants, there are also plants they swarm towards. Pest control experts say avoiding growing them in your garden will help lessen the chances of their presence. Here, they share five plants that attract Japanese beetles to add to your banned planting list.

5 plants that attract Japanese beetles

Alongside avoiding these plants, strengthen your Japanese beetle control efforts by growing the best pest-repellent plants, like with these marigold seeds from Amazon.

1. Roses

Japanese beetles are one of the rose pests that can wipe out these romantic blooms. They skeletonize the foliage of roses, leaving behind a lace-like pattern. Not only this, but Japanese beetles can also completely consume the flowers.

'Roses are the most common target I have seen. When the flowers bloom, the scent draws beetles in,' says pest control expert Ed Dolshun.

If you are keen to grow roses as part of a fragrant garden, it's best to opt for some rose companion plants that can ward off Japanese beetles. This includes geraniums (from Nature Hills) and marigolds (seeds from Burpee).

2. Hollyhocks

Another cottage garden plant to avoid if you don't want to attract Japanese beetles is hollyhocks. These tall spikes of charming blooms won't just amaze your guests; they also capture the attention of pests that destroy plants.

'Just like roses, hollyhock flowers produce a sweet-smelling fragrance that is attractive to Japanese beetles,' says pest control expert Morgan Wilson.

'Additionally, the bright colors of the flowers provide a visual cue for the beetles, and the petals are soft and easy to chew,' she adds.

If, however, your hollyhocks have orange spots on their leaves, it is rather a sign of hollyhock rust over pest damage. Inspect foliage and flowers regularly to protect your hollyhocks from pest and disease damage.

3. Japanese maples

For a tree to avoid growing if you don't want to attract Japanese beetles, it's best not to add any of the best varieties of Japanese maples to your yard.

'Japanese maples have soft, veiny leaves that are nutritious to Japanese beetles,' Morgan explains.

It's therefore not uncommon to find your acer trees with skeletonized foliage if Japanese beetles have visited them. While it can strip your acer of healthy foliage, established trees are likely to recover in the long term.

Use tips to revive old Japanese maples to help get your acer to a healthier state. You'll likely need essential pruning tools for this, like these pruning shears from Amazon.

4. Peach trees

The best fruit trees are also at risk of Japanese beetle damage. Peach trees in particular are on the list of plants that attract Japanese beetles.

'Fruit trees such as peach trees provide soft leaves and fruit. It is the perfect set-up for Japanese beetles when you have large trees that can provide a long-term food supply,' Ed Dolshun explains.

So, if you have a kitchen garden, consider having fewer fruit trees; otherwise, you could attract these destructive beetles to take out all of your crops.

Though if you are keen to have a peach tree, or already have an established one in your yard, manage Japanese beetle damage by handpicking them off and using physical barriers, like this fruit tree netting from Amazon.

5. Grape vines

Another fruit crop to avoid growing when trying to keep Japanese beetles away is the grape vine.

The larvae of these beetles will consume grape vine plant roots, and the adults strip the leaves.

In turn, this will affect your plant's ability to grow grapes, as skeletonized leaves will not be able to carry out essential plant processes, like photosynthesis.

You can manage pest damage to grape vines by regularly checking leaves and pruning grape vines to keep them healthy.

FAQs

Which flowering plants are safe from Japanese beetle damage?

Flowering plants that Japanese beetles are less likely to attack include magnolias, chrysanthemums, and larkspur. Generally speaking, plants with tougher foliage are less attractive to Japanese beetles, who favor soft, easy-to-consume leaves and petals.

Other ways to manage Japanese beetles in your yard include encouraging beneficial insects. In particular, ground beetles and parasitic wasps will help manage Japanese beetle populations by feeding on them.

Shop pest control essentials

If you are anything like me, you might have a strange love-hate relationship with snakes. On spying one in the yard, you might scream, recoil and dash for the door (which is totally fine, of course), or you might find yourself edging closer, watching in awe at their unusual markings or coloration.

From the whispering serpent of Eden to folkloric tales warning us to mistrust these slippery creatures, we have all been conditioned to mistrust snakes. But, in the very ordinary setting of a backyard, the reality is often far more prosaic. Most are opportunists, arriving where food and shelter line up neatly. They don’t appear in sterile, barren yards – they appear where biodiversity is thriving.

And yes, if you’ve got children or dogs that nose about, seeing a snake sunning on the patio is bound to unsettle. But understanding why they’ve shown up can help you to control their numbers. So here’s the answer to 'why are there snakes in my yard?,' what it really means if snakes have taken a shine to your plot, and how to respond if they become yet another of your summer garden pests.

Why are there snakes in my yard?

In most regions and US hardiness zones, snakes can be found. Your backyard will be most attractive to them if it offers three things: food, water and shelter.

A sunny, expansive lawn might see the odd visitor, while a denser, shrubbier yard full of plants and insects will prove incredibly popular. In essence, the healthier and more biodiverse your garden, the more chance something scaly will slide on by.

Your yard has a thriving food web

'The sole reason snakes are present in your yard is because of food,' says Reese Robbins, garden expert and creator of Just Pure Gardening.

'If these summer and spring garden pests are about your plot, it means they are being fed.

'They’ll happily gorge on rodents, frogs, slugs, lizards and insects. Some species even eat other snakes,' Reese adds.

If you are intrigued by them, it is a good idea to set up wildlife cameras to monitor their movements. Try this highly rated VIDVIS wifi wildlife camera, available now via Amazon.

'Messy birdfeeders that scatter seed attract mice; pet food left outdoors draws rodents, which both in turn invite snakes.'

Put simply, then, it’s a chain. In some ways, their presence is nature’s stamp of approval that your yard isn’t lifeless concrete, but full of creatures both seen and unseen.

Natural pest control (the hidden perk)

'One overlooked upside of having snakes is that they are one of the best natural pest control methods,' Reese says, 'taking on the job of unpaid backyard pest controllers.

'Garter snakes in particular hoover up slugs, saving your precious hostas and lettuces from ruin.

'King snakes will dispatch rodents and even other snakes, meaning there is less need for poison and fewer traps.'

If snakes reappear season after season, it means your ecosystem is ticking along nicely, albeit with a scaly guest you may or may not welcome.

But, look on the bright side, snakes are not pests that can destroy plants, and their threat, really, is not to your roses or peonies, but to living creatures in the yard.

Managing snakes in your yard

'If you want to reduce snake numbers in your yard, keep pet food indoors, stick with suet balls hanging in trees rather than messy bird seed that invites mice, and keep a check on rats near your trash cans,' Reese advises.

Suet balls for birds are available to order from Walmart.

'If you are also keeping chickens, make sure the pen is clean and tidy, and as secure as possible with dense wire fencing, too.'

In addition, snakes are drawn to wildlife garden ideas, viewing wood piles, rock walls, dense shrubs, even mulch or a pond edge, as the perfect hiding and hunting grounds.

'While snakes are a good sign of thriving biodiversity, you may want to adjust things if you prefer fewer reptiles, such as keeping your borders tidy, limiting habitat for them to thrive, and dealing with any rodent problems.

'Beyond that, snakes are really something we have to live with and learn to share our plots with.'

Now you know the answer to 'why are there snakes in my yard?', you can consider some repellent methods.

While there are different theories about the effectiveness of supposed snake repellent plants, many gardeners grow aromatic herbs and fragrant plants, believing that strong and bitter scents repel serpents.

I am not sure I believe that marigolds or rosemary will deter snakes, but it might be worth a shot, even if it only injects color and scent into your borders.

Shop pest equipment

It’s that time of the year when older cobwebs have become covered in dust, dead bugs, and debris, and new ones are popping up all over the outside of your home.

That’s why I was pleased to come across a simple and free DIY tool tip for removing them without having to buy anything new or get too close to the action.

It’s a great way to keep the outside of your home clean. Having given it a try myself, it’s a clever hack I’ll be using again.

You only need three items to make this cobweb busting tool

I gathered a broom, an old sock, and a rubber band I had lying around. Then I put the sock on the end of the handle, and secured it. You can then spray it with water to dampen it but I used my DIY cleaning spray, which is a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar to help the cobwebs stick, and also to deter bugs from windows.

It was the perfect tool for clearing cobwebs at the tops of windows, doors, and other areas I would otherwise need a step ladder for, including the top of my back yard fence.

As I get dizzy quite a lot, I tend to steer clear of ladders for safety, so this clever trick from property expert Terry Fisher of We Buy Any Home was just the ticket.

Terry’s ‘sock on a stick method’ is also great for getting cobwebs off many outdoor areas.

You could also add a few drops of pure essential peppermint oil or eucalyptus essential oil, both available at Walmart, to the sock, as these are common natural odors that pests hate.

Terry explains, ‘This free and quick hack is ideal for balconies, fences, and other tricky outdoor spots. As spiders become more active in warm weather, their webs can quickly build up in hard-to-reach places, making outdoor spaces look neglected.’

I love that you only need an old sock, making it a good way to be more sustainable at home.

Terry's tip will do away with cobweb build-up in seconds, without the need for any fancy tools, ladders, or expensive cleaning crews.

He adds, ‘A sock and a broom handle will do the job just as well, and it’s completely free.’

I tried it

I tried it and I 100% rate it, as I even managed to get the cobwebs underneath the gutters on our second floor by sticking my improvised cleaning tool out of the windows, room by room. Now, when I look up, I no longer get the ick, and my home’s exterior looks more looked after. It's gone on my list of essential fall home maintenance jobs.

The other thing I love about this is that I can use up all the socks my daughter has discarded because she has either grown out of them, or any with rogue threads and textures that give her a sensory dislike.

I’m chronically ill and suffer pain in my joints as well as reduced grip, and had no problem with this cleaning tip.

Terry adds, ‘It's a brilliant way to clear cobwebs from awkward areas without straining yourself. The sock traps dusty cobwebs without scratching paint or woodwork, and it moulds around corners better than a cloth or feather duster.’

When I was done, I simply popped the sock in an outside trash can, and I didn’t even have to touch it. I scraped it off by putting the cobweb end in the bin, closed the lid and pulled my broom handle out. Hurrah!

It gets a 10 out of 10 from me.

Bug busting essentials

Terry concludes, ‘Spiders aren’t harmful, but a mess of cobwebs makes any space feel untidy.'

The best part of this tip is that it takes just minutes and can be done as part of your regular cleaning schedule.

If you find any spiders have snuck into your home, you can use a humane catcher to take them outside. Learn more about keeping spiders away.

A few fruit flies hovering around your home in summer is expected, but the last thing you want is to open your trash can to a plume of these pests.

So, how often should you empty your food waste bins and trash cans to prevent fruit flies? Pest pros reveal the dream frequency.

How often to empty food waste bins to cull breeding cycles

Preferably, you should empty a trash can every day to avoid infestations, our pros advise. How often you empty your food waste can, however, depend on the type of trash can you have and how warm it is where you live.

As a general rule of thumb, pest experts suggest emptying them and replacing the bag at least every two days to get rid of gnats and maggots.

It might sound excessive, however, Daniel Baldwin, board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control, explains, ‘Fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs, which can hatch in 24 hours. This is why it’s important to reduce opportunities for them to breed and feed to avoid a larger infestation.’

If you don’t want to empty your food waste every day, Daniel adds that a more effective approach is to dispose of any food waste straight into outdoor trash cans with tight-fitting lids.

‘This is because fruit flies are highly attracted to the smell of fermenting sugars in rotting fruits, vegetables, and other organic waste,’ he says. ‘You should also be cleaning your trash cans regularly with soap and water to remove lingering smells and residue.’

Masking trash can smells can also be effective, but to a lesser extent. The source of odor should always be removed to truly prevent indoor pests.

Using a smaller trash can for food waste, such as the simplehuman countertop compost caddy from Wayfair, and small compostable trash bags from Walmart, can make daily emptying less wasteful.

Of course, preventing infestations of these tiny flying insects also comes down to cleaning a kitchen correctly.

Jim McHale, entomologist and president at JP McHale Pest Management, suggests completing a full inspection of your kitchen if you have lots of fruit flies, hunting out any sticky residue they may be feeding on (especially around and inside your trash can), and keeping fruits and vegetables stored inside the fridge where possible.

Don’t forget to also check stored food for rot, and toss out as needed.

What to shop

Meet the experts

Still struggling with these pesky pests? People swear by the Zevo Flying Insect Trap, or you can make your own DIY gnat trap with apple cider vinegar.

My garden is looking the best it's ever looked, if I do say so myself. The plants are throwing out the very last of their summer blooms, and all the chlorophyll-rich foliage is looking lush and verdant after having been drenched in sunshine and rain for the past few months. I like to think of my little city garden as a little slice of paradise. That said, there's always a serpent lurking in Eden.

My beloved agapanthus are not flowering, and haven't done so this summer at all. I grow four agapanthus varieties in my garden, and all of them have sulked and refused to flower. Panic set in when I noticed maggot-like bugs creeping all over them, so I took to the internet, ears steaming. My agapanthus, it would seem, has succumbed to the agapanthus gall midge. Its diminutive size belies its character, since this garden pest is particularly damaging and incredibly hard to get rid of.

It would appear that many agapanthus growers find themselves in the same boat – stuck with miserable agapanthus plants and a pest colony running amok in their garden. Here, I explain what I did to tackle the issue, and how you can identify and combat these vexing little bugs.

How to identify the agapanthus all midge

If you're wondering how to determine if the agapanthus gall midge has established a presence in and amongst your agapanthus plants, likely, they haven't done so, since their presence is made very obvious but the disastrous turnout of the agapanthus flowers they live on.

If your agapanthus are looking worse for wear, and you think you might have a bout of agapanthus gall midge, look out for the following symptoms:

• The entire flower head is failing to develop at all
• The flower buds that do form won't open and look as though they have simply dried up and lost all coloring
• Any flower buds that do open are deformed in shape and often begin to rot very quickly
• Small maggot-shaped larvae inside the individual flower buds

When it dawned on me that this small fly had started squatting in my agapanthus flowers, I naively assumed that spraying a little bit of dish soap mixed with water would sort out the issue, and failing that, I would step in with a bottle of insecticide and really wipe them out for good.

As it turns out, it's not quite that simple.

So far, no insecticide spray seems to deter the agapanthus gall midge one bit.

This common garden pest was only fairly recently discovered and recognised as a new species. It stands to reason, then, that its cryptonite has not yet been uncovered.

How to get rid of the agapanthus gall midge

The first port of call should be to apply strulch (a mulch made of straw), which will reduce the number of larvae that successfully pupate once they have dropped off from the agapanthus flower and onto the soil.

A great stulch I have used in the past is this organic Strulch available at Amazon.

At present, the only tried and tested pest control method to eradicate the agapanthus gall midge is to remove all of the flowers on all of the agapanthus plants in the garden and destroy them.

This is because the agapanthus gall midge lays many thousands of eggs, and the larvae form and grow in the flower buds.

So, to reproduce, the agapanthus gall midge needs agapanthus flowers. With this in mind, even healthy agapanthus flowers need to be sacrificed, too, if you are to really conquer the issue once and for all.

It is worth bearing in mind that these flowers need to be removed from the garden and destroyed completely. Don't add them to your compost pile, as this will keep the larvae alive and breeding in your garden.

What to do to combat the gall midge in winter?

It is highly likely that the agapanthus gall midge overwinters below the soil and pupates the following spring.

With this in mind, many agapanthus owners who have been plagued by the presence of the dreaded gall midge decide to remove and destroy all of their agapanthus plants altogether, roots and all, to totally eliminate any traces of any eggs.

This is the course of action that I, regretfully, felt I ought to take. Although this has been costly (painfully so), there is no product available as of yet that kills the agapanthus gall midge, and so I cannot risk an infection lasting throughout winter and destroying my display next summer, too.

I removed all my agapanthus plants, even those that seemed visibly healthy and unaffected, including the flowers, stems, and root balls, and removed them from my garden and destroyed them.

To err on the side of caution, I replaced the soil that lived in my agapanthus border, to be sure I was evicting all unwelcome tenants.

I added new soil, to which I added plenty of organic fertilizer, and chose one high in potash for strong and healthy agapanthus flowers. I used this sulphate of potash fertiliser, available at Amazon.

So, while it might seem extreme, sometimes it is best to bite the bullet, and take radical action. I know that my future agapanthus plants will more than make up for this rather glum (and flowerless) year.

Shop agapanthus growing essentials

It's a gardener's worst nightmare to come out into the yard and find mounds all over the lawn. It's a clear sign of a specific pest problem: moles. While they don't necessarily harm plants directly, the mounds they create can smother and kill grass, and their movement in the soil can disrupt root systems.

If you've already tried to get rid of moles, such as by growing plants moles hate, and have had no luck, then it might be time to turn to some pest control gear. There's one product that seems to stand out online: a solar powered ultrasonic mole repellent, currently discounted at $34.99 on Amazon.

Once inserted into the ground it emits an ultrasonic sound as frequently as every three seconds. This sound can minimally be heard by humans, if at all, but for moles, gophers, and even snakes, it's unpleasant and will send them in the other direction. It's a non-harmful solution to getting rid of moles, plus it's discreet in the yard, so you won't even notice it's there. We haven't tested it ourselves, but more than 200 reviewers say they 'haven't seen a new mound,' since it's been installed.

What the reviews say

With a rating of 3.8 stars, customers are thankful to have picked up this ultrasonic mole repellent.

It's proven to be effective with getting rid of gophers and snakes, as well as moles, protecting lawns from damage.

Once five-star reviewer wrote: 'The solar-powered pulses and vibrations seem to deter moles without harming wildlife or plants.

'It's weatherproof and has held up through rain and heat, providing continuous protection without extra costs.'

Not only has it been effective at stopping pest damage in the garden, customers are also pleased with the easy installation and low-maintenance use.

'To install, you simply drive a slim 1×1 inch stake into the ground, leaving the solar panel about two inches above the ground, enough that it can charge in the grass,' describes one reviewer.

'Once charged by sunlight, it emits a soft buzzing vibration that quickly fades into the background,' they describe.

'It's a reliable, low-maintenance solution that has noticeably improved my lawn,' another reviewer wrote. It seems they aren't alone, as many customer express having a greener and thicker lawn since installing the repellent.

As a natural pest control method, many reviewers also say the solar powered element is one of the best they've tried, especially considering the lower price:

'I purchased four other, more expensive, units and they would quit if it was cloudy too long, but these just kept plugging away,' one customer writes. 'One that was totally covered by a zucchini leaf was still working fine.'

What about the downsides? It isn't necessarily an effective long-term solution. And being solar powered, we also wonder whether it would be less effective in the winter, when there are fewer hours of daylight.

'I’ve had these up for a few days and it initially seemed to work, but now I see a new mound of dirt,' one customer wrote.

If you have a more serious mole problem, it's wise to enlist the help of a pest control professional.

These ultrasonic mole repellents will also be made more effective if you use additional methods to deter them, such as keeping on top of lawn care and making your yard less inviting to them. You can also use the below mole-repellent tools:

This device can also help deter other pests that destroy plants, such as keeping deer away from plants and keeping rats away from the yard.

Sometimes the fight against pest problems can feel relentless. You try everything from using pest-repellent plants to removing pests by hand, and yet some pests have a way of sticking around and multiplying quicker than you can get rid of them. When this is the case, turning to beneficial insects is often the most effective measure.

Beneficial insects are those insects that work hard to maintain a healthy ecosystem and support plant life. They often do so by preying on pests that destroy plants and pollinating plants in your garden. You may already be familiar with bees and butterflies as beneficial insects, but this group extends much further – sometimes even beyond the naked eye.

It's a natural pest control method that works well and is fairly hands-off. By creating an abundant and biodiverse backyard, these insects will naturally show up in force to take care of a range of issues. Here, a biologist outlines five beneficial insects you may not be aware of and what exactly they do for the garden, plus how to encourage more of them.

5 beneficial insects you might not know about

One of the best ways to encourage a vast number of beneficial insects in your yard is by incorporating native planting in your outdoor space. Many plants for pollinators will also bring the below insects to your garden.

1. Ladybugs

Attracting ladybugs to your yard is a great way to reduce the population of a wide range problem pests, including if you need to get rid of aphids.

'A single ladybug can consume up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime,' says biologist and garden expert Aidan Charron.

'Ladybugs also prey on bugs that might damage your plants like mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, and leafhoppers,' he adds.

Not only this, but in their day-to-day activity, ladybugs also pollinate plants.

You can actually buy ladybugs to introduce to your yard, if you have a severe pest infestation. Find ladybugs on Amazon, for example.

Alternatively, grow these plants that attract ladybugs to your yard, for example with these zinnia seeds from Burpee.

2. Green lacewings

Another natural predator that eats aphids is green lacewing, a dainty green fly with large, oval wings. It's also an effective beneficial insect to get rid of clover mites. They're usually harder to spot, camouflaging on the green foliage of the plants they protect.

'Their larvae, nicknamed 'aphid lions,' can devour over 200 aphids per week as well as up to 1,000 spider mites per day,' Aidan notes.

While feeding on nectar from flowers, lacewings also help to pollinate, alongside bees and butterflies.

You can encourage them to your yard by creating an ideal environment for them. This includes planting a wide variety of flowers in your flower bed, and growing dense plants like dill (seeds from Burpee) and yarrow which can provide lacewings with shelter.

Purchase green lacewing larvae from Amazon.

3. Ground beetles

While they might make you jump when you see them, ground beetles are friendly faces to meet in the garden.

'There are over 2,500 species of ground beetles in North America which eat pests such as slugs, snails, cutworms, and caterpillars,' says Aidan. 'As anyone with a kitchen garden can testify, cutworms and caterpillars will happily feast on tomatoes, lettuce, and cabbage, and in large numbers they can wreak havoc on your garden vegetable patch,' he explains.

They're a great beneficial insect to have around if you need some help with slug control or want to get rid of snails.

'Some ground beetles can consume up to three times their body weight per day in snails, so having them around definitely saves your plants,' Aiden notes.

You can encourage ground beetles by creating a diverse wildlife garden. Include features like log piles, leaving fallen leaves on the ground, and creating some areas of bare earth.

4. Parasitic wasps

While many will try to get rid of wasps in the yard, as they can be a nuisance to be around, you shouldn't be so quick when you spot parasitic wasps. These are identifiable as slender-bodied black or brown wasps with bright yellow markings. They also have long antennae.

'Families like ichneumonids and braconids lay eggs inside pests such as caterpillars, aphids, and whiteflies, which then consume the host from the inside out,' Aiden says. 'It sounds disgusting but it is all part of nature.'

Just like the many types of bees, parasitic wasps can be attracted to the yard by choosing nectar-rich blooms. In particular, umbellifers are a magnet for these beneficial insects, such as fennel (seeds from Burpee).

5. Nematodes

While technically not an insect and rather a microscopic roundworm, nematodes are a secret weapon many gardeners rely on to take care of pest problems that have gone too far.

They're not visible to the human eye, rather living among different soil types. Their presence is a sign of good soil health.

'Nematodes infect over 250 types of soil pests from grubs to cutworms, by entering and releasing lethal bacteria,' Aiden explains.

The best way to encourage nematodes is by focusing on improving soil health. This includes adding homemade compost or organic matter, and preventing soil compaction (by aerating with this aerator tool from Amazon).

Nematodes are also easy to find to purchase, like these nematodes from Amazon. Simply add them to your watering can when you water the plants you want to protect from pests.

FAQs

Are mosquitoes pollinators?

It may surprise you to learn some mosquitoes can be pollinators. They visit flowers to feed on nectar and in doing so often transfer pollen, just as bees, butterflies, and other pollinators do. In particular, the Platanthera obtusata orchid is known to attract mosquitoes, where they play a key role in pollinating it.

Alongside encouraging beneficial insects, you can adopt other organic pest control methods. This includes growing pest-repellent plants, using mushrooms to get rid of pests, and even using spices to deter common garden pests.

These bed bug monitoring traps could give you the clear answer you've been searching for if you've become suspicious that pests are lurking in your bedroom.

Treating any infestation as quickly as possible is vital for getting it under control, but bed bugs can be very hard to spot as they are experts at hiding, which is why the well-rated monitoring traps from Walmart are so handy.

Identifying pests with this type of gadget is the vital first step in successfully getting rid of bed bugs, and will help you easily monitor the area for any return.

These bed bug monitoring traps are the key to a pest-free bedroom

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Dealing with itchy bug bites can be a genuinely worrying and often miserable experience. Not only are they uncomfortable, but if bed bugs are the culprit, they're notoriously difficult to remove.

Even the best methods to eradicate bed bug infestations aren't foolproof, or often require more than a little effort and time.

That's why we recommend the Bed Bug Blocker (XL) Interceptor Traps, available in a pack of four at Walmart to keep a close eye.

The beauty of these bed bug monitoring traps is that they offer continuous, 24/7 protection, allowing you to monitor your problem, no matter how minor, around the clock, without the use of chemicals or pesticides.

Furthermore, this non-toxic pest control method is designed to fit most indoor furniture and beds and withstand the weight of heavier beds. They take just minutes to set up.

Simply place them under the legs of your affected furniture and any resident non-flying bed bugs will climb in, and the slippy interior walls will prevent them from climbing back out again.

You'll be able to get a quick visual and confirm which pest you're dealing with, and come up with a suitable extermination plan, or call pest control pros quickly.

Customers deem these extra large interceptors as 'worth it', ideal for 'bed bug diagnostics,' and say they 'really provide peace of mind.'

One happy customer confirms, 'Since I have used it, I have yet to get bitten while in bed.'

What to shop

Want to know which mattress protector is best for bed bugs? Shop from our selection of expert-recommended favorites for double the protection.