Spiders, slugs and pests 'stay away forever' with 78p item they 'hate'

As the UK heads into autumn, a gardening expert has revealed how to keep spiders, slugs and cockroaches at bay in your garden and home without causing any harm to the pests

Slugs, spiders and the arrival of other pests in gardens are inevitable as the UK shifts to colder weather and a new season. While some of these creatures are harmless and can contribute to a healthy ecosystem, no one wants to find that an infestation has caused damage to their plants or enter their property.

Common autumn pests include spiders, green shield bugs, slugs, and even cockroaches. Chris Bonnett, a gardening expert from GardeningExpress.co.uk, said: "As we head into the autumn season, it's likely many Britons will find a new array of bugs in their gardens."

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"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."

"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, an expert in pest control, warns 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".

Green shield bugs

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, which are most active during the spring and autumn months, can "damage a range of plants", leading to discolouration and stunted growth. However, the aroma from planting items such as onions and garlic can help to "keep them away".