Pro garden designer reveals 69p hack that will kill green flies without using any nasty chemicals to harm your plants
The remedy can be found in your kitchen
WASH THIS Pro garden designer reveals 69p hack that will kill green flies without using any nasty chemicals to harm your plants
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
IF your garden is looking a bit of a mess and you want to ensure it looks fresh, you've come to the right place.
It turns out that there's a nightmare pest that may be living in your garden - and it could be the reason why your grass and plants are ruined.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
You may spot aphids clustered on the stem of soft shoots – look under leaves in particular
Credit: Getty
2
Pollyanna Wilkinson, right, shared how to banish the pest without harming your garden
Credit: The Ins & Outs Podcast
Aphids are extremely common and can impact plant growth.
They have tiny soft pear-shaped bodies, and are usually green or black.
You may spot them clustered on the stem of soft shoots – look under leaves in particular – or may find a sticky substance on your plants that gives away aphids have been there sucking at the sap.
But while there's no need to be alarmed, it's best to identify the problem as soon as possible - and luckily, a gardening whizz has come to rescue with a wallet-friendly solution.
Speaking on her podcast, The Ins & Outs, Pollyanna Wilkison responded to a listener who had written into the show how to banish the common pest from their birch tree.
The gardening designer said: ''We're getting a lot of questions about how to get rid of aphids and it's a tricky one.
''Because on the one side, I want to say to you aphids are actually amazing forage for loads of really important insects - ladybugs, hoverflies, parasitoid wasps all eat aphids.
''They will be eaten by these guys if you leave them alone.''
However, if you're dealing with ''an absolute infestation'', there's something you can use - and it's already in your kitchen.
According to Pollyanna, green-fingered Brits can use washing-up liquid - which you can snap up for around 65p from your local supermarket.
The £14.50 Wickes buy people are swearing by to get rid of weeds on their driveway for GOOD
She explained in the podcast: ''The best thing you can do is put some washing-up liquid in a spray bottle and spray everything.
''That's not going to hurt anything.
''Whatever they breathe through, it blocks it and then they die.''
Keep pests out all summer
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.
''We're not here for the pesticides - the washing-up liquid will do it absolutely fine.''
The gardening whizz also recently shared the common decoration she hates - hanging baskets.
'Hate them. I effing hate hanging baskets.
'And the reason I hate them is much the same reason that I hate small pots.'
She shared the first reason for this is that she doesn't think they are 'very attractive as a vessel.'
Pollyanna explained on the episode: 'You can tend to see the plastic inside because it's got a plastic liner, because otherwise, obviously the water is going to go through.
'And I don't like seeing plastic in the garden.
'And also the body of soil that a hanging basket holds - unless it's those amazing ones outside the Ritz, which are just the most extraordinary thing I've ever seen, but those are the sides of a beach ball - it's just, it's this tiny little dish of mud.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Look out for these 5 coins in circulation worth over £3,000
You may not realise you could have a small fortune sitting in your wallet or coin jar. An expert has urged Brits to check their change for five of the rarest UK coins still in circulation. Collectively, these coins could be worth over £3,000 to collectors. When paying with cash, many of us are happy to use up whatever change we've got in our wallets or pockets without a second glance. However, it could be worth double-checking before parting with certain coins due to their potential value. In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert who is known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard explained exactly what to look for. 'Most valuable coins you can find in your change revealed,' he said. The first coin he mentioned was a 50 pence piece from 2009. This coin features the image of the iconic pagoda at Kew Gardens on its reverse (tail) side. He said: 'Let's start with a 50 pence coin and of course it is the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p. This coin is so hard to find with only 210,000 ever released and is worth around £140 today.' Another 50p collectors 'want to get their hands on' is known as the Atlantic salmon. This coin is dated 2023. He continued: 'Even less were released than the Kew at 200,000. And if you find one of these in your change, you are looking at around £80.' However, it is only versions of this coin that is missing a tiny mark that is particularly sought after. 'But remember, it's only the one without a privy mark dated 2023 that is rare and valuable,' he said. Far more valuable is a specific £2 coin with an error. The expert said: 'Now, let's move on to a £2 coin and this one is known as the Lord Kitchener.' Minted in 2014 to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War, this piece features the image of Lord Kitchener on its reverse. To be particularly valuable it needs to be missing the words 'two pounds' on its heads side. The expert said this could make it worth more than £1,000. He then moved on to a 2p coin with an incredible value of £2,000. He said: 'This is the 'new pence' two pence coin from 1983 and whilst it is unlikely you would find this in your change, it is possible.' Instead of reading 'two pence' on its reverse side, it says 'new pence'. The Coin Collecting Wizard said: 'This coin from 1983 was in Royal Mint sets and a mistake was made with the words 'new pence' instead of 'two pence'. 'If you find it, keep it because it's valued at around £2,000.' Lastly he revealed that a 20p coin with no date could be valued at £50. He added: 'And finally, let's discuss a 20p coin with no date. If you find a 20 pence which was minted in 2008 but it has no date on the coin, then you have found a rare mule error 20p coin worth around £50.'
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Eggs remain firm for weeks and not watery if stored in unlikely kitchen spot
The best way to store eggs is a contentious issue, while some people prefer to keep theirs in the fridge, others believe keeping them at room temperature is better The debate on the best way to store eggs rages on, with some Brits favouring the fridge and others leaving them out at room temperature. Unlike in the US where eggs must be refrigerated due to a washing process that strips their natural coating, UK eggs retain this layer, leading to varied storage habits. Dean Harper of Harper Fine Dining, known for his fusion of classic French methods and contemporary flair, insists on refrigeration for egg storage. He shared with the Express: "Warmer temperatures and frequent handling can speed up the decline of freshness-that's why it's said to treat your eggs gently." The gourmet chef elaborates, "On the other hand, keeping them consistently cold and undisturbed slows this down, and this method's stuck with me since my early culinary days." Lemons stay fresh for a month if kept in unlikely kitchen location For optimal freshness, Dean advises storing eggs between three and five degrees Celsius in the fridge's main compartment rather than the door. He explains that eggs should avoid the door due to the risk of faster deterioration from temperature changes, a valuable tip he has long adhered to: "Temperature fluctuations from opening and closing the door can cause the whites to break down faster. This is a tip I picked up ages ago, and it truly makes a difference." Watery egg whites can be a sign of ageing, as eggs lose carbon dioxide and moisture over time. Dean pointed out, "As an egg ages, it starts to lose moisture, and this affects the texture. Such changes can be subtle, but even a few days can affect your poached eggs." But it's not all down to the fridge when it comes to keeping eggs in tip-top condition at home. Dean highlighted that Fortnum & Mason always stores its eggs in cartons, explaining, "That's key. The carton helps prevent the eggs from absorbing strong odours from other foods and shields them from light, which can break them down faster." The culinary whizz shared, "What fascinates me is that sometimes, the simplest steps are often overlooked, yet they make all the difference in food quality." British Lion Eggs experts also recommend sticking with traditional egg cartons rather than fancy holders or even the fridge's egg shelf. The carton not only safeguards the eggs but also displays the best-before date. However, Sophie Trueman, UK&I Country Director for Too Good To Go, advises against using this date as an absolute guide for throwing away eggs. Sophie explained that these dates signal when eggs are at their optimal freshness, noting that Best Before dates, unlike Use by or Expiry dates which concern safety, allow for some leeway. A rotten egg will reveal itself once cracked open. Fresh eggs should smell neutral and clean, so if you catch a whiff of something sulphurous or just plain nasty, it's time to bin the egg. If the egg appears and smells alright, you can go ahead with a small taste test. Whip up a tiny bit and give it a try before deciding to consume the entire egg.
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Britain's luckiest towns with the most Postcode Lottery winners revealed – does your area make the list?
One northern town tops the list – and three neighbours shared a £10k win LOTTO LUCK Britain's luckiest towns with the most Postcode Lottery winners revealed – does your area make the list? NEW research has revealed the UK's luckiest places to play the Postcode Lottery – and one northern town is topping the charts with the most wins per postcode district. Preston (PR), in Lancashire, has been named the luckiest area, with an average of 47.64 wins across its 11 postcode districts. 1 Postcodes are selected at random, but the latest figures suggest some areas may have a winning edge. The findings come from a study by Casino Deps, which looked at wins dating from January 2011 to June 2025. Warrington (WA), in Cheshire, came second with 38.63 average wins, followed by the seaside town of Blackpool (FY), also in Lancashire, with 37.38. The rest of the top ten includes Nottingham, Leicester, Bolton, Croydon, Motherwell, Stoke-on-Trent, and Blackburn. At the other end of the scale, Kirkwall (KW) in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, was the least lucky area, with just 3.75 wins per postcode district on average. Western Central London (WC) and the Outer Hebrides (HS) also ranked among the lowest. Amanda Wilson, CMO at Casino Deps, said: 'Lancashire sticks out as the luckiest county in the Postcode Lottery, with Preston, Blackpool and Blackburn all in the top ten. "The North West of England seems to be having the most luck overall.' She added: 'Preston is by far the luckiest, with its average number of wins per postcode district over 23% higher than the second-ranking area. "This could simply be down to more people in Preston being signed up to the Postcode Lottery. More sign-ups mean more chances to win.' The Postcode Lottery is popular across the UK, with cash prizes given out daily and thousands raised for good causes. Postcodes are selected at random, but the latest figures suggest some areas may have a winning edge. Inside the dramatic lives of the biggest EuroMillions winners EVER Residents in previously low-ranking regions have still seen surprise wins, including lucky streets where multiple neighbours bagged thousands each, simply by playing. It's one of the few lotteries where you win alongside people on your own doorstep. The community feel is a big part of the appeal. Unlike traditional lotteries, Postcode Lottery prizes are shared among every player in the winning postcode, which means entire neighbourhoods can celebrate together. And it's not the only chance to bag a fortune this week. Friday's EuroMillions draw is offering a huge £109 million jackpot – and Brits are already dreaming of their lucky numbers coming up. In recent years, winners have gone on to lead extraordinary lives. Joe and Jess Thwaite from Gloucester won £184 million in 2022 and now live in a dream home with their children. Frances and Patrick Connolly from Northern Ireland scooped £115 million in 2019. Remember to gamble responsibly. The Postcode Lottery and EuroMillions are forms of gambling, and you must be 18 or over to take part. Please keep spending within your limits. If you need help or advice, support is available at or by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The Postcode Lottery sets spending caps and notes that most players win small prizes. However, every entry helps support a wide range of charities, from children's initiatives to environmental projects. Last year alone, players raised over £100 million for good causes, funding everything from community gardens to mental health services. That means even if your postcode doesn't come up, someone still wins in another way. Within months, they'd given away over half to loved ones and charities, saying they just wanted to 'spread the happiness.' Karen, 42, from Wakefield – which came 20th in the ranking – said she nearly missed her win because she forgot she'd signed up. 'I got the letter and thought it was junk mail,' she said. 'When I opened it and saw I'd won £10,000, I burst into tears. "Two of my neighbours won too, so we had a street party with bunting and bubbles!' Of course, experts always remind players to gamble responsibly.
