Pests and Diseases

Deer are highly inquisitive feeders, causing destruction amongst flower beds and borders. They will often graze overnight, rarely seen during the day with new plants being at the most risk. They will often strip plants of their foliage, bark and flowers leaving them bare and dilapidated.

Prevention: Erect physical barriers such as netting or fencing, although these will need to be strong and relatively high to completely prevent access. Make sure they are fixed securely into the ground as deer can squeeze through tight gaps. Natural repellants such as garlic, rotten eggs and hot pepper may be an option although often a less desirable one.

Foxes are prevalent in both the countryside and in urban areas. Although less likely to feed on your plants, foxes will trample over flower beds and borders, hunting small birds and mammals which can often leave a nasty trail of destruction.

Prevention: Once foxes inhabit your garden, it is difficult to keep them out. There is little in terms of natural repellants although you should cover up any holes dug as they will use this to create a habitat, whilst securing boundaries and fixing broken fencing or parameter structures.

Mice and voles will both cause damage within your gardens, sheds and greenhouses. They will often target fruit, vegetables, bulbs, corms, seeds, stems and bark from woody plants. Voles will create shallow tunnels underground giving lawns a soft and bumpy surface, much like a mole. Mice will often be see on ground level but will often leave small holes in flower beds and borders.

Prevention: Mice can be deterred by trapping, although this is a little trickier when dealing with voles. Leave out sweetly scented food items such as peanut butter or chocolate for mice and carrots for voles. Position and secure traps so that other animals do not interfere and become harmed.

Rabbits are nosy creatures and are often attracted to new plants, shrubs and trees. Rabbits can be particularly destructive creatures, causing considerable damage as they feed on ornamentals, fruits and vegetables. Most rabbits will decide to inhabit your garden overnight although some can be active during the day.

Prevention: Rabbits can be deterred from entering your garden through tougher means than the remedy for slugs and snails. You may wish to erect fencing or netting, especially if your garden adjoins farms or woodland. If you sense that rabbits have inhabited your gardens, remove taller growing grasses or low growing shrubs, where rabbits keep their habitat. Household pets are a handy prevention technique to deter rabbits from the garden.

Slugs and snails are one of the most common garden pests, causing havoc with some of our garden favourites. However, you may be surprised to know that they can be fussy feeders and this is where we need to take advantage. Slugs and snails dislike plants that are hairy, tough or waxy as this causes difficulty for these lazy eaters. Heavily scented plants are also a no-go zone for slugs so plants such as lavender and rosemary are perfect.

Prevention: Try to enforce a strict watering regime for first thing in the morning, watering at the base. Apply a layer of finely crushed egg shells around the base of your plants to create a sharp thoroughfare or mulch generously with seaweed, salt or sharp grit.

You either love or hate the common grey squirrel. They are amusing to watch from afar but from within the garden they can destroy a wide range of ornamental plants, fruit and vegetables.

Prevention: It is not possible for squirrels to stop entering the garden completely although you can protect fruiting plants and vegetable patches with netting to limit any damage. This should also be undertaken to cover newly planted bulbs and corms as squirrels tend to dig them up. Animal repellant substances and scaring devices can be used short term although they are not a feasible long-term solution as many animals become accustomed to such sound.