Close Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Our Word Chefs
  • Write for us
  • Categories ———-
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Retail
  • Health
  • ——————
  • Policies
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Cookies
Facebook X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Latest
  • About
  • Our Word Chefs
  • Contact
Food Future
  • Food & Drink
  • Health
  • Events
  • Entertainment
  • Hospitality
  • Retail
  • Travel
  • News
Food Future
Home » Latest » These Unexpected Herbs & Spices Are the Secret to a Pest-Free Garden
Tips

These Unexpected Herbs & Spices Are the Secret to a Pest-Free Garden

Lucy ContrinoBy Lucy Contrino04/07/20252 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Brits turn to their spice racks to beat ants, flies and fruit bugs – with cinnamon and cloves leading the charge

As summer heats up and pests invade patios, gardens and kitchen windowsills across the UK, a wave of homeowners are skipping the sprays – and heading for the spice cupboard instead.

According to home and garden expert Neil McKenzie from Halton Stairlifts, several little-known herbs and spices can naturally deter common summer pests – without relying on harsh chemicals or expensive treatments.

“You’d be surprised what a handful of bay leaves or a dusting of turmeric can do,” says Neil. “These are remedies our parents and grandparents swore by – and they still work today. With the cost of living rising, people are getting more creative with what they’ve already got at home.”

Here are some of the top spice rack secrets making a comeback this summer:

  • Cinnamon – Sprinkle around potted plants or garden edges to deter ants. It also prevents mould and mildew in soil.
  • Turmeric – A natural ant deterrent. Just a thin layer around doorways or compost bins can keep colonies away.
  • Clove oil – Mix with water and spray to keep slugs and beetles at bay. The strong scent repels soft-bodied pests.
  • Bay leaves – Place in windowsills, pantries or compost bins to stop flies settling and breeding.
  • Chilli flakes – Used to discourage cats, squirrels and birds from digging up garden beds.
  • Black pepper – Deters aphids and caterpillars when dusted lightly on plant leaves.

These natural remedies have become especially popular among older homeowners, many of whom grew up using simple kitchen items to manage pests. Halton Stairlifts, which works with thousands of over-60s across the UK each year, says the return to traditional methods reflects a growing appetite for easy, accessible, and eco-conscious garden care.

“It’s a simple switch, but for many people – especially those with respiratory concerns or pets – avoiding chemical sprays is important,” Neil adds. “What’s old is new again.”

With garden pests expected to peak during the next heatwave, experts say now is the perfect time to put your spice rack to the test.

Post Views: 31
Lucy Contrino
  • Website

Related Posts

Tips 01/07/2025

Hear Scratching in the Walls at Night? It Might Not Be Mice, Warns Safety Expert

Tips 01/07/2025

Forgotten Cooling Hack Making a Comeback for Britain’s Elderly – Expert Shares Natural Tips to Beat the Heat

Tips 01/07/2025

Why Flies Won’t Leave Your Light Alone – And the Things in Your Home That Attract Them

Tips 10/04/2025

Finding the Right CBD for Your Pantry: A Guide to Quality and Taste

Top Picks

Move Over Mr Whippy –  Potato Ice Cream Is the New Dessert of Summer 2025

06/07/2025

Master Locksmith Warns: Your Lock Rating Could Be Putting Your Home at Risk

05/07/2025

Experts reveal the trending pancake toppings for 2025 and where to travel to enjoy them authentically 

05/07/2025

SAKURA SEASON ARRIVES AT STICKS′N′SUSHI

05/07/2025
Socialise With Us

Here at Food Future, we are a dedicated team of culinary enthusiasts passionate about writing food and drink experiences.

Beyond being a mere collection of recipes and guides, our platform is a celebration of the rich culinary landscape.

Join us in tasting the essence of tomorrow, today!

hello@foodfuture.org.uk

Our Picks

Gamal Collier

By Sam Allcock16/10/2024

Café de Paris Boter – The Secret to Elevating Your Steak to Perfection

By Sam Allcock10/03/2025

Wordiply Guardian | Rules, Tips, Tricks

By Sam Allcock20/07/2024

Subscribe for Updates

Unleash a world of flavour in your inbox – subscribe now for a taste of Food Future's culinary delights

  • Home
  • About
  • Our Word Chefs
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap

© FoodFuture.org.uk | All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}