Gardening pro reveals three household items that will keep pests away – and one is lurking in your food bin

The Sun

01-06-2025

SPENDING more time outside as the weather warms up is one of the best parts of summer.
But as the sun comes out, so do common garden pests.
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That doesn't mean you have to stay inside though, and it definitely doesn't mean your plants need to suffer.
The gardening experts at Yel l have put together their top tips for deterring common garden pests that can appear all year round - and they're easier than you might think.
Use garlic to keep green flies off your plants
Green and black flies, commonly known as aphids in the gardening world, can be found on both indoor and outdoor plants.
While a few aphids may not cause significant damage, large numbers crawling on stems or a sticky residue left on your plants could indicate a problem.
Garlic contains allicin, a sulphur compound that repels insects and may also act as a natural antifungal agent.
If you'd prefer not to have the smell of garlic in your garden, you can mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with water in a spray bottle and apply it to affected plants.
This can help remove and deter aphids effectively.
Aphids are also drawn to nitrogen-rich fertilisers, so it's important not to over-fertilise your plants, as this can make them more attractive to these pests.
Use cupboard staples to get rid of garden ants
If ants are causing problems in your garden or finding their way into your home, some of the best natural deterrents involve strong citrus scents
Lemon is a particularly effective method; you can mix lemon juice with water and spray it around ant trails to keep them away.
My 3 favorite plants to repel pests from your vegetable garden - they're pretty and will increase your harvest too
Another scent they dislike is peppermint oil, which can be used in a similar way by mixing a few drops with water and spraying affected areas.
Other common household staples like vinegar, sugar, and baking soda can also be useful when tackling ants in the garden.
Mixing equal parts of vinegar and water creates a natural repellent.
Coffee grounds and eggshells could help keep slugs away from plants
While snails and slugs are common in gardens across the UK, they can cause significant damage to garden plants.
Slug pellets are not recommended, as they can be harmful to other wildlife in your garden.
Although manually searching for and removing slugs is effective, it can be time-consuming.
You could consider planting flowers that slugs tend to avoid, such as foxgloves, geraniums, and lavender, all of which are thought to be less attractive to slugs.
Other deterrent methods include adding crushed eggshells, copper tape, or coffee grounds around your plants to act as a barrier.
Coffee also contains nutrients beneficial to soil health, making it a dual-purpose solution.
To protect specific plants, place eggshells around the base of the plant's soil to prevent slugs from reaching the leaves.
Natural ways to deter rats from your garden, including citronella oil and onions
Essential oils like citronella and eucalyptus are also effective. You can use outdoor citronella candles, or soak cotton wool balls or tissues in the oils and place them around the garden.
Alternatively, mix the oils with water and spray them in areas where rodents are likely to appear.
Other strong-smelling food items that rats typically avoid include onions, garlic, and vinegar.
The smell is thought to be off-putting to them. You can place small quantities of these in areas across your garden.
Onions, in particular, contain sulphur compounds that can irritate a rat's eyes and nose.
While it's unlikely a rat would consume a large amount, large quantities can be toxic if digested, so it's safest to use small slices around your garden.
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.