Say goodbye to garden pests
Your garden can be home to a number of pests, some obvious and others less! Here are some tips on how to get rid of unwanted pests in your garden.
Ants
Ants are probably the most common garden pest. The garden ant nests outdoors, typically under things on the sunny side of the garden and they have a sweet tooth. Once discovered you can get rid of them with insecticides and baiting stations. Chemical-free ant control pest repellers provide the best form of prevention. Check out your local DIY store or garden centre for the best one to suit your needs.
Slugs and snails
Many gardens are plagued by slugs and snails. Gardens provide shelter and a plentiful supply of food - much to the frustration of keen gardeners! Everyone knows about slug pellets but if you have a pet or are particular about chemicals in your garden then check which pellets you should use before you buy. Your local garden centre will be able to help in your selection.
Moles
Imagine waking up one morning to find your perfectly manicured lawn littered with mounds of earth. Moles live in tunnels beneath your lawn and only come up in search of food. There are various methods of controlling moles and, interestingly, many claim to be passed down the generations. Windmills and bottles stuck in the lawn, moth balls and smelly cleaning products all claim to be effective. However, mole trapping is the only sure fire method and there is an art to it! Check out your phone book for your local mole trapper.
Wasps
Wasps can nest under the eaves, in lofts, and in bushes or trees, so check your garden and outside of your house to find their location. Insecticide dusts, available at local shops, are generally more effective than liquid sprays. The dust should be applied to the nest entrance - wasps entering the treated area will carry the insecticide inside the nest. Treatment is best carried out at dusk when the wasps have returned to the nest and you are much less likely to be stung!
Help is at hand!
There are many resources available for controlling pests. Your local authority is always a good source of information and also very often provides pest control services. Where a problem can't be tackled alone there are professionals who can help. Rentokil's website is good for general information on how to deal with all sorts of pests around the garden and home.
