Advice On Garden Pests

Although many of the creatures that lurk in the great outdoors can give you more than your fair share of trouble - this is only if you let them do so.

Obviously it is better to get them before they get you or your precious plants.

The pests come in various shapes and forms, small to large, some obvious and some hidden.

Think self-preservation here.

MOLES

These are lovely looking little creatures but they can turn a garden into something closely resembling a mini building site in a matter of days. There are several ways of dealing with this garden problem and one is to trap and kill them. This needs a certain amount of skill, is bordering on humane but is not a lasting solution because the dead mole will quickly be followed by a new member of the family. In addition if you do not have the skill you will need to seek professional help in setting the traps. This can be a costly operation. The going rate is as much as £10 per mole caught. So much for that piece of advice on garden pests! A friend spent £80 - and still the moles keep coming.

For advice on garden pests and dealing with moles - or NOT as the case may be:

1. Placing a child's large size windmill at the mole's place of entry. This advice on garden pests has been tried and was not successful.

2. Jeyes fluid applied in a concentrated solution was poured down the hole and surrounding area. A lovely smell, but again - this advice on garden pests was not successful.

3. The last remaining piece of advice on these particular garden pests at the moment is installing a Solar-powered Mole Repellent Spike in the ground. These can be purchased from around £10 upwards and after 24 hours spent taking a charge from the sun can be left in situ to send out a bleep every 15 seconds. This creates a noise way down in the ground that, apparently, the moles dislike. It is humane, works day and night, even in bad weather conditions and would seem worth a try. If there is mole damage to a large area, the purchase of two Solar Spikes might be worth a try.

So far, this method has worked and is the best garden advice on pests we can give on the subject at the moment. The Solar Repellent device has been in place for over a year now, and no signs of mole activity have been seen. We have now purchased a second Repellent and it is sited amongst the shrubs on the other side of the garden. Fingers crossed because the breeding season will be the testing time. This has now passed without any further sign of activity.

Some people have success with this method - some not. Maybe it a question of correct placement of the device. Time alone will tell.

Some old countrymen believe that urine is an excellent deterrent. No comment, but feel free to try this unusual advice on garden pests if you wish.

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RABBITS

The Victorians rather rashly introduced the rabbit to Australia in the 1800's and this has been rued (pun not intended) by the Australians ever since. In this country most farmers take the same view. These little animals decimate pasture and crops. Definitely a case for advice on garden pests if ever there was one!

In a garden, wherever possible, the best garden advice on pests is to rabbit proof the perimeter of the garden with wire mesh otherwise any vegetables are likely to disappear over-night. To a lesser and cheaper degree, just protect the vegetable plot itself, but make sure the wire is sunk well beneath the soil as rabbits have great burrowing techniques. Failing that, if you live in the countryside and can obtain permission from your adjoining land owner, then shooting remains an option.

GREY SQUIRRELS

Since a man was prosecuted for drowning a squirrel after it had been caught in a trap, it has become necessary to seek out more advice on these garden pests and on other methods of deterring these creatures from the garden.

Bird food is a magnet for squirrels. Attaching nut feeds and fat balls to a washing line is one solution but proved to be another piece of advice on garden pests that was not successful. Unfortunately, the agile squirrel will learn to negotiate the washing line like a trapeze artist.

If the food is on a bird table, grease the support pole with Vaseline or other grease. The actual feed can be dusted with Tabasco sauce or chilli powder, both of which will not affect the birds but deter other visitors.

Probably placing the table somewhere central where it is not accessible to the squirrels is the best and easiest method.

The only method known to work is to suspend the bird feeders on tall metal pole spikes (specially made for this purpose), and if necessary coat the metal pole with grease.

BEES

This is not strictly advice on garden pests because of the amount of good a bee can do in the garden and to agriculture. It is only when they sting that they become bothersome. A bee will die after it has stung, and if possible the barb should be removed (a pair of tweezers helps here) and then the area treated with vinegar.

If the sting is on the foot (often sustained when walking through clover) it will help if the foot is kept raised and rested where possible.

In the case of a sting by a bee, wasp or hornet be aware of anaphylaxis reactions. This can be dangerous and lead to death. If a person has been stung, and has trouble in breathing or shows signs of collapse, medical help should be sought immediately. This is seriously good gardening advice. Don't delay - time is of the essence.

To attract bees to your garden plant thyme, lavender, heather, sage, borage and verbena. Bees prefer single flowers to the showy double blooms. Remember - keep it simple!

WASPS

These are unwanted little creatures that pack a nasty sting. The sting is best treated with ammonia or alcohol.

Unfortunately a wasp sting contains a pheromone which will attract other wasps to come and sting you. If you are stung when in the garden, it is a wise move to get inside as soon as possible otherwise you are likely to be a sitting target. If you are indoors a fly spray or fly swatter is recommended. Failing these, hair lacquer spray has been known to help.

A wasp nest is a remarkable thing and can vary from a few inches in length to over 1 foot. If you should have wasps build a nest in your loft this would need to be professionally removed. If you find an old nest there is the consolation that it will not be re-occupied the following season and is harmless.

HORNETS

A hornet packs a bigger punch than the wasp and the bite can be very painful indeed as the amount of venom sent into the skin is enormous. The hornet will continue to sting (between three and five times) until all the venom is distributed. It may be necessary to seek medical help here.

ANTS

Not necessarily a pest, but here is some good gardening advice on ants. These little insects out-number the humans on Earth. In the UK there are black and red ants. The red ants bite and are nasty little creatures. To get rid of both the black and red ants just sprinkle unwanted talcum powder on them and around their holes. This has instant effect.

The only advantage that black ants have is they eat aphids. This something that is welcomed by by gardeners everywhere.

MIDGES AND MOSQUITOS

The best way of protecting yourself is to use an insect repellent spray before venturing outside. Not strictly advice on garden pests, but better to enjoy your time in the great outdoors than to be miserable.

LILY BEETLES

These insects are unmistakable. They are similar is size to a ladybird, but are a brilliant red in colour. There is no really effective treatment at the moment and it is recommended you squash the offending beetle with your finger nails. Don't be squeemish, think of the damage these beetles can do to your beautiful lily plants.

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