The 60p hack that will slug-proof your garden and stop your plants being eaten
With the warmer weather upon us, you may have noticed the pesky critters wreaking havoc on your garden.
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If you're wondering how to stop slugs nibbling at your veg gardens and flower beds, you will likely have tried a number of hacks.
This could range from using fresh coffee grounds to slug repellent plants and there are endless pest control methods online.
But, according to Homes & Garden writer, Thomas Rutter, the cucumber hack is the simplest and kindest.
Stopping slugs and snails using the cucumber hack is surprisingly simple.
While it may not eradicate these pests, it can help gardeners control their numbers.
Rutter said: "First, raid your fridge drawer and retrieve a cucumber, before slicing it thinly.
"Don't worry about the quality of the cucumber here, in fact, it is best to use those that are past their best."
Rutter then advises to place the slices near your more vulnerable plants in the evening.
Slugs and snails will be lured to the scent and moisture of the cucumber.
Then, after a few hours or the following morning, you can collect the pests and dispose of them.
It's not too dissimilar from companion planting or trap plants for pest control.
But what's better is that it's a chemical-free approach, safe for pets and requires almost no effort.
Rutter added: "Personally, I think this hack works best when deployed as part of a broader pest management battle plan.
"So, why not learn how to keep ducks, which feed on these pests, while also using some copper tape around the rim of your pots, as well as encouraging natural predators such as frogs to keep the slug population down?"
If you don't want to kill your garden pests, you can easily move them.
Rutter advises to move them at least 50 or more feet away from your garden.
This will overcome the pest's "homing instinct".
You can also place them near a bird feeder and let nature take its course.
But despite the gardener's frustration that slugs and snails have destroyed their veg crop, they play an important role in the biodiversity and ecosystem of our gardens.
They're natural prey to many common backyard mammals and bird species and are also an invaluable part of your garden's composting process.
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
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The Sun
4 minutes ago
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Telegraph
4 minutes ago
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My husband died of prostate cancer just weeks ago. Testing could have saved him
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We met through my university boyfriend who was Nick's best friend, but mostly lost touch after he graduated and moved to London for an excellent job at a national newspaper. However, two years later I graduated myself and also moved to London to work as an editor in book publishing. Losing touch and reconnecting over the years Shortly after this, in early 1977, we began going out together. It just felt right – we were in our early twenties, living in a new city and both now single. A fantastic year followed, including a highly enjoyable holiday island-hopping in Greece. Yet within a few months, out of nowhere, Nick broke up with me. At the time, I simply did not understand why. Now, I know that was when he developed his first major bout of depression – an illness he struggled with throughout his life. He continued to advance rapidly as a talented journalist, whilst I worked for several major publishers and, some years later, my father's independent literary company. 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Eventually, a hip operation was authorised to proceed – after which Nick was loaned a set of crutches that were too big for him, unbeknown to us, which didn't aid his recovery or post-operative pain. Meanwhile his fatigue had returned tenfold. In the following weeks, he struggled with constant hip and back pain which resulted in further reduced energy levels, meaning he often spent more than half the day in bed. He was convinced that metastasised cancer cells were rampaging around his pelvis and lower back and, despite our asking his specialist if there was anything else the medics could offer by way of treatment, there seemed to be no sense of urgency. Nick's final sliver of hope was destroyed, and we began to realise it wasn't a case of if but when he would die of cancer. Those awful final months In a final act of desperation we visited Dr Mark Linch, a private prostate specialist and an NHS consultant at London's University College Hospital, in July 2024. We wanted to know if there were any other NHS treatments that Nick could be offered, after his local oncologist told us over the phone that they were running out of options. Dr Linch suggested a range of treatments and trials. However, sadly, because of the cancer in his spine, Nick's walking became so poor by autumn 2024 that he was unable to participate in a potentially promising trial in London. By this point, he was really weak, almost entirely bed-bound and deeply depressed and anxious. In the earlier stages of his treatment he enjoyed keeping his brain active by reading novels and non-fiction and playing Scrabble against online competitors. However, towards the end, as his depression worsened, he gave up these hobbies, stopped checking his emails, and mostly wouldn't even answer his phone. On a good day, he'd try to sit up and eat something with me and we'd chat in our living-room where he was confined to a hospital bed. I tried to engage his interest by our watching the evening news together, viewing a drama series, listening to spoken-word radio or some of his favourite classical music. Sometimes it helped his mood; however, as he became weaker and more frail he lost interest in almost everything, including eating. Often I had to provide liquid meal replacements, and he was fast losing weight. Our struggles amplified in December last year, shortly before Christmas, when I found a lump in my left breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Nick became increasingly fixated on my illness and worried constantly how I would cope after he passed away. We brought carers in to assist him, and he was visited by cancer nurses, who told us that he probably had just months to live. Our conversations turned to my breast cancer treatment, the songs he wanted played at his funeral and his wishes for the future. The situation felt terribly surreal. After five rounds of chemotherapy and successful lumpectomy surgery at the end of May, I was given the all-clear which at least gave Nick some comfort. Then, on July 22, aged 72, rather sooner than expected, Nick passed away. The incredibly clever, kind and adventurous man I knew and loved was gone. It angers me to think that there were eight wasted months before Nick's symptoms were taken seriously and he was subsequently diagnosed. Eight months where his prostate cancer could have potentially been diagnosed and treated at a less advanced stage. His urinary problems should have surely been an immediate red flag. In the UK, too many men have faced the same treatment and fate as Nick, and this is entirely unacceptable. There is no question that we need a targeted prostate cancer screening campaign. Whilst I'm thankful for the company of our parrots – both dogs died unexpectedly earlier this year – everything feels strangely quiet at home. There's no classical music emanating from the library where Nick spent much time on his computer. He will never return home from a day on the golf course and talk me through his round in great detail. We'll never host another garden party together or spend summers trekking in the Alps or Himalayas. I feel Nick's loss acutely. I just hope that, in sharing our story, it means that another man's symptoms are taken more seriously and that he doesn't suffer the same tragic fate. As told to Ella Nunn
Daily Mail
4 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Billie Shepherd reveals devastating Lyme disease diagnosis that left her bed bound as she becomes latest celeb to open up about battle with the condition
has revealed she was diagnosed with Lyme disease earlier this year following months of 'horrendous' symptoms leaving her bed bound. The TV personality, 35, opened up about her 'really tough' battle with the condition that saw her struggling through periods of agonising pain, extreme fatigue and was forced to rely on husband Greg's help with the most basic of tasks. She told The Mirror: 'Some mornings I couldn't even get out of bed. I would have to crawl, going to the toilet, I was in bits, I was hysterical, crying, because I was in so much pain. It was hard for me to sit on the toilet without Greg helping me. It was so scary. Billie explained that it took doctors weeks to work out the cause of her illness, while she was left in agony as her immune system attacked itself. The mother-of-two said: 'I had so many blood tests but no one could figure it out. One doctor said she'd never seen anything like it. It was frustrating. This went on for about two months before we learnt it was Lyme'. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by ticks and can cause general flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, headache, swollen joints and a fever, which can last for a few weeks, but for reasons not yet understood, some patients suffer for years. The former TOWIE star said medics believed she was likely bitter by an infected tick as much as three years ago, but the infection lay dormant in her system. Despite being prescribed antibiotics and steroids, Billie said her body didn't respond to the medication and claimed they even made her symptoms worse. She told the publication: 'I was so unwell. It was only after [My sister] Sam introduced me to a holistic doctor and I started taking natural medicines that I started to notice a difference and things slowly began to turn around'. Billie is the latest star to open up about their battle with the condition following the likes of Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid and Miranda Hart. Last month the N*SYNC singer, 44, broke the news of his 'debilitating' health battle to fans in an Instagram post as he marked the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour - after sparking concern over his 'tired' stage performances and 'lip syncing.' Timberlake's emotional post read: 'This has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience. 'I could not have done it without my family, friends, The TN Kids, and all of YOUR support. 'Among other things, I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease - which I don't say so you feel bad for me - but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes.' He continued: 'If you've experienced this disease or know someone who has - then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. 'But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.' Timberlake said he initially considered canceling his year-long tour - but decided to 'figure it out.' 'I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm so glad I kept going' he wrote. 'Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself but, I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget. I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself. 'But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted. Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I'd like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.' Meanwhile it took medics 33 years to discover uk comedian Miranda, 52, had been battling Lyme disease, after initially mislabeling her as being agoraphobic - an anxiety disorder characterised by symptoms of anxiety in situations. She recalled running out a doctor's appointment in floods of tears after they told her she was 'TATT' - 'Tired All The Time' and said: 'I just don't know what to do with you.' The comic finally received the diagnosis in lockdown and believes she contracted Lyme disease when she 14 after battling nasty flu-like symptoms in Virginia. The star then shared that she was also diagnosed with ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. In 2023 model Bella shared insight into her own battle with the disease and took to Instagram with throwback snaps of her treatment. Several of her photos showed her with IVs attached to her arm and what appeared to be ports to make transfusions or blood draws easier. One image featured a nurse appearing to draw some blood from Bella's arm as she sat on a sofa covered up in blankets, a baggy sweater and a yellow toque. So why does it seem like so many of the rich and famous are being diagnosed with it? Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases from the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline there could be some factors that make celebrities more vulnerable to Lyme disease. He said the stars' increased leisure time and typically greater access to the wilder outdoor areas where ticks reside, than normal people, could simply make it a numbers game. 'If there is a rich and famous or class bias in this, it's probably because they spend more time walking around in wooded parkland, more money to go out to those areas, or have big homes with these sorts of places,' Professor Hunter added. The fact that celebrities are more likely to live in the US, where Lyme disease is more famously prevalent, could be another factor. 'As you're walking along the ticks jump on your legs and crawl their way a blood feast and give you Lyme disease,' he said. 'If you go walking in these sorts of places the best thing to do is check, when you get home, that you don't have any ticks on you and if you have remove them safely.' WHAT IS LYME DISEASE? Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. The most common symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash called erythema migrans. The disease can typically be treated by several weeks of oral antibiotics. But if left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous symptoms and be deadly. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE INFECTED? During the first three to 30 days of infection, these symptoms may occur: Fever Chills Headache Fatigue Muscle and joint aches Swollen lymph nodes Erythema migrans (EM) rash The rash occurs in approximately 80 per cent of infected people. It can expand to up to 12 inches (30 cm), eventually clearing and giving off the appearance of a target or a 'bull's-eye'. Later symptoms of Lyme disease include:
