Gardening tips: How to beat summer pests

Summer in Moreton Bay has so many positive attributes, but it also seems to bring us a frustrating amount of household pests!

Yes, there’s a plethora of pest control options available at the supermarket, but sometimes going back to basics and embracing my grandmother’s solutions are all you need.

Her garden was cleverly ‘companion planted’ right down to what was grown next to the chook house and outhouse! Here’s her top selection (it’s a fair list) and while most of us won’t have to space to have it all, there’s a few worth noting and adding to your space.

Plants with high levels of natural oils in their leaves, stems and flowers are the most potent for pest control. Rosemary, lavender, citronella, chrysanthemum, lemongrass and mint are used in many natural remedies and common garden varieties are easily accessible at the local nurseries. Yet again, lavender is that one versatile plant that deters moths, fleas, flies and mosquitos but also provides a delightful fragrance to humans making it ideal for an entry garden where it can be brushed past, around bin areas and chook houses.

Rats dislike the smell of peppermint and while a single plant won’t have them fleeing your property, using a peppermint spray or oil at entry points will have them backing away. They don’t enjoy the fragrance of onions, garlic or citronella either.

Cockroaches are repelled by the smell of chrysanthemums. This hardy plant produces the chemical pyrethrum which is why most insect pests steer clear of this plant in the garden. Rosemary is toxic to them, catnip and mint deter them and they’re not a fan of basil, lavender, bay leaf, lemongrass or peppermint either.

Planting a selection of ‘insect repelling’ plants around chook runs and aviaries can help to create a natural insecticide minimizing the volume of problems to your feathered friends and their surrounds - include lavender, marigolds, mint and nasturtiums.

Her list continues, but as my limit is one page… let’s summarise the rest!

Basil & Sage – flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes

Lavender – flies, moths, beetles, mosquitos, fleas,

Rosemary – flies, mosquitoes, moths

Mint – flies, aphids, cabbage moths, fleas, beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, ants, rats

Chrysanthemums – flies, roaches, ants, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs

Other favourites include – Lemongrass, Petunia, Thyme, Garlic, Nasturtiums, Chives, Geranium, Bay Leaves, Dill, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Wormwood, Citronella & Eucalyptus. Brushing past these fragrant plants helps release the oils, so plant them in places where they’ll be bumped into, run past and easily accessed to be of most benefit.

Top tips – plant what suits your garden style and surroundings. The leaves of many plants can be dried and used indoors too.

Happy Gardening!