Nature's Pest Control

There's an epic battle going on in garden's across the UK and Ireland. Ants are herding aphids on a weakend hibiscus, but a swarm of ladybirds have been unleashed who are now crawling over the leaves munching hungrily on the little white pests as the ants fight back.

This is the adventure called organic pest control.

When it comes to pest control in our gardens, we want to protect not only our plants but also ourselves, our children and our pets. However, it can be difficult to avoid synthetic poisons – replacing them instead with home remedies and eco-friendly products to kill problem bugs.

An oil spray can work well to eliminate garden pests, and you can make it yourself. Simply add two tablespoons of cooking oil to a gallon of tepid water and top it off with two tablespoons of baby shampoo. Your spray will then stick to the pests and suffocate them.

If you add two tablespoons of baking soda to the above mixture, it can help beat fungus. Alternatively a 10 percent milk solution – a cup of milk to nine cups of water – also has been found to work as well as conventional fungicides.

Of course the best way to control pests in your garden is to avoid getting them in the first place. Organic methods have been found to make plants strong and less susceptible to attracting nasty bugs, but if you water your plants correctly and feed them when they're hungry, they're less likely to be attacked by bugs.

Some plants will attract natural helpers, for instance the small flowers of fennel and garlic chives draw wasps who, in turn, keep other pests under control.

Insects aren't the only problem pests that our back yard's endure. Some gardeners are also faced with the destruction from rabbits, neighbours' cats, squirrels and even deer.

If your plants are under constant attack from unwanted visitors, why not try our top five selection of hardy plants that can withstand a battering.

Cleome Senõrita Rosalita - The blooms explode out of the top of the stem in a beautiful burst of colour. The stalks are also less thorny or sticky and have a more compact form with a strong upright habit which means less staking.
Gold Edge Thyme - Thyme should be trimmed periodically and not overwatered. This keeps them tidy, fresh and healthy. Cut them while they are actively growing and soon the scars will be completely hidden by new greenery.
Lamb's Ear - Best in full sun and well drained soil. Adds texture and color to the perennial garden.
Lavender - Part of the mint family. It is occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range.
Plectranthus (Cuban Oregano) - This is not a true oregano, but is used in place of oregano in Carribbean cuisines. It is a very unusual and fragrant plant with fleshy grey / green fuzzy leaves, and is often grown as an ornamental plant.

SDA Pest Control, "Long Acre", Bluntisham Road, Needingworth, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire
01480 465684