Asian hornets have recently reappeared in UK gardens and their invasive nature means they can quickly become a big problem.
A gardening expert has advised how to deter pests such as hornets and wasps from your outdoor space.
Combining three smells that are pleasant for humans, but off-putting for pests, is a good way to start, according to commercial director of outdoor furniture experts Alexander Francis James Ewens.
He said: “Strong scents are one of the best ways to deter wasps, and there are a few plants you can put in your garden to help with this.
Asian hornets can be incredibly invasive
GETTY
“We’ll all be familiar with using citronella candles to keep the flies at bay when you’re dining al fresco, but having the actual citronella plant in your garden can be effective too – working in a similar way and making wasps disperse.
“Spearmint and lemongrass can also have a similar effect, so combining all three around your garden could provide the best chance of keeping pests away.
“If you don’t want to introduce these plants to your garden or just simply don’t have the room, then mixing their essential oils with water can create a sprayable solution that you can apply on the locations of previous wasp nests or areas where they’re likely to crop up.”
Similarly, rid your garden of anything that will make it more appealing to Asian hornets, wasps and other pests.
Making sure there are no obvious signs of food left around will mean you are less likely to attract lots of unwanted visitors.
James continued: “It might sound like an obvious one, but the importance of keeping food away hidden from wasps and hornets can’t be understated when it comes to keeping them out of your garden.
“This goes beyond just some tin foil on your sandwiches. Make sure that any and all scraps are cleared away, bins are sealed and plates, dishes, and glasses are all promptly cleared away and washed.
“If you’re breaking out the barbecue during summer, you’ll also want to thoroughly clean it after use, to prevent leaving out any potential bits of food that could attract these pests.
“Wasps and hornets also go wild for sugar, so if you have any cans of sugary drinks out and about, then try to keep them covered and make sure they’re not outside for long.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Some plants can deter or attract pests
GETTY
For more garden tips, Monty Don shares the “best way to extend flowering season” for your sweet peas.
He said: “Few garden chores can be as pleasant or undemanding as this but be sure to regularly pick all the flowers from your sweet pea plants as it is the best way to extend their flowering season.
“Sweet pea flowers will rapidly develop seed pods in warm weather and these drain energy from the plant and trigger more seed production at the expense of flowers.
“I have found that the optimum picking period for sweet peas is about 10 days. It is important to remove every single flower – and to enjoy the resulting fragrant bunches of blooms for the house.”
