Results gained by humane pest management is best illustrated when trying to protect your plants from insects, determined to make a...
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Garden pests form one of the most discouraging fights that we have to put up with. However, if you are not yet ready to resort to extreme pest control measures, there are a few other options available.
It is common knowledge that there are some flowers and herbs that can be used as an effective pest deterrent, protecting your prized flowers, fruit and vegetables.
If you are unsure as to the types of plant to use, your best bet is to go for smelly varieties, which work by confusing pests that hunt by scent. Lavender, thyme, French marigold and chamomile are all good bets, so plant them in abundance.
In addition, there are a variety of bulbs available, which specifically target mice and moles. Planted to a depth of 2-3 inches, these bulbs emit a smell that humans can't detect, but which is very potent to rodents and can last up to 5 years.
In addition to using plants as a pest deterrent, you can also attract predator insects into your garden, using nature's balance to help with our pest control since the pests attacking our plants are often the prey of the predators.
The larvae of a number of insect predators, including the ladybird, hoverfly and lacewing, are probably as voracious eaters of pests as the adults. We can therefore bring these predator larvae right in to where we are growing our vegetables by planting flowers that provide nectar as companions to the vegetables.
Freely flowering annuals are the plants of choice as they can be sown directly where you want them to grow. The most popular varieties include the poached egg plant, pot marigold, echium, convolvulus and nasturtium.
One of the most common forms of humane pest control used everyday in homes across the UK is the humble flea collar. Many varieties of flea collar actually use herbs, which are stuffed into sealed pockets within the collar. These herbs emit their natural scent, which in turn provides an effective repellent against fleas and ticks.
Here are our recommended books for information on using flowers and herbs to protect your garden plants.
Article provided by Lavender Pest Control