As the UK shifts into a colder season, it’s likely that you’ll find a new array of bugs in your gardens. Here’s what pests to expect and how to deter them naturally
As the UK moves into colder weather, the arrival of pests such as slugs and spiders in gardens is inevitable.
While some of these creatures are harmless and contribute to a healthy ecosystem, no one wants an infestation damaging their plants or invading their property. Common autumn pests include spiders, green shield bugs, slugs, and even cockroaches.
Chris Bonnett, a gardening expert from GardeningExpress.co.uk, warned: “As we head into the autumn season, it’s likely many Britons will find a new array of bugs in their gardens. Creepy crawlies like spiders, cockroaches and slugs are common in gardens at this time of the year. Each has its own benefits in the garden and at times can be left alone to promote a healthy ecosystem.”
However, he warned: “But nobody wants them ruining their garden by eating plants or damaging grass. That’s why we want to offer advice on how to deter them from the garden without causing them any harm.”
Cockroaches
Cockroaches often make gardens their home in autumn as the weather cools. To discourage them, ensure no food sources are available for them, such as fallen fruit or scraps in the garden.
Fleas
Fleas can “ruin a garden” by “damaging” the lawn and creating “bare patches”. Regular garden maintenance like weeding and mowing can help eliminate potential hiding places.
Pet owners are being urged to check their furry friends for fleas as they can easily latch on while pets are playing in the garden.
Spiders
Chris, a pest control expert, has warned that September is “prime spider mating season”, leading to an influx of these eight-legged creatures in our homes and gardens. He suggests using peppermint or mint to deter spiders, saying: “They hate the scent of peppermint and mint, so it’s worth either planting them around the garden or spraying their essence to deter these insects away.”
You can grab a bottle of rodent repellent that has peppermint oil as its main ingredient for just 78p online at AliExpress to keep your home and garden spider-free as well as free of many other pests.
Alternatively, you can pick up peppermint oil from Holland and Barrett for £4.50 down from £6 or from Amazon for £2.97.
Slugs
Mid-autumn marks the start of slug mating season, so don’t be shocked if you start spotting more of these slimy pests in your garden or home.
To prevent them from munching on your plants, Chris advises to “reduce evening watering” so the topsoil isn’t as damp at night – slugs thrive in wet conditions. Like with spiders, experts at Pests Banned suggest using peppermint to “deter slugs so they stay away” as “they hate the strong scent”.
Wasps
Plant herbs like basil and mint in areas where you don’t want wasps to invade – “the strong scent will deter them away”. Also known as green stink bugs, these insects like to lay their eggs on plant leaves.
They’re attracted to lights, so try to keep any outdoor ones dimly lit when it gets dark.
Aphids
Aphids, the pesky bugs notorious for wreaking havoc in gardens, especially throughout spring and autumn, are known to “damage a range of plants”, causing them to discolour and stunt in growth. Yet hope is not lost, as garden experts suggest that the pungent scent emanating from allies like onions and garlic might just be the trick to “keep them away”.
