Get rid of your garden pests with these simple tips

With spring nearly upon us, now is the best time to ensure that your garden is ready for new shoots and flowers, and to rid your garden of the pests that could ruin your spring preparation. Most of us want to ensure that our soil is healthy and fertile, and seek alternatives to the many chemical pesticides available. We spoke to Mark Robson, Gardens Manager at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, and got his tips for ridding your beds of problematic pests.

“Not all insects and bugs are bad for your garden,” commented Robson, “in fact insects such as lady beetles and praying mantis’s are beneficial bugs to have in your garden, as they naturally assist with pest control.”

According to Robson, there are a growing number of organic pest control solutions on the market, however there are some simple solutions one can use, both through planting certain herbs and shrubs, and using items that are readily available in your kitchen, to ensure pests are kept at bay.

Planting the likes of peppermint, spearmint or pennyroyals act as natural deterrents to aphids (plant lice) and ants, so Robson suggests planting them throughout your garden to assist in keeping pests away. To avoid ants, or snails, one can simply use cayenne pepper, which will deter ants, or lime, as snails will not cross a line of lime.

“There is also the option of Horticultural oil, which is a highly refined paraffinic oil, which when mixed with water, can be sprayed onto plant foliage, which will act as a coating on the leaves, suffocating not only insect pests, but also the eggs that they lay, and can be used during your planned growing and dormant months, ” comments Robson.

With these handy tips, Robson firmly believes that your spring garden will flourish, much like those at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.