You might think that by autumn, pests are a thing of the past. And while this is the case for lots of critters, there are plenty more still crawling about ready to disturb your carefully curated garden.
Decaying organic matter like fallen leaves and all the extra rainfall actually makes autumn the ideal season for pests in your garden. And urban gardens are specifically at risk. Typically sheltered and compact, urban gardens offer lots of damp, dark places to shelter, while having plenty of food and water.
While we want to encourage eco-diversity in our green spaces, your vegetable garden or prize shrub shouldn’t be the sacrifice. If you’re looking for ways to protect your city garden from pests this autumn, here’s how.
Are pests still active in autumn?
Lots of critters and rodents are still very active in the autumn time and some in particular will be familiar faces in your garden, such as:
- Rats and mice - As the weather grows cooler, rats and mice will move indoors for warmth and food. This includes your green house, potting shed or garage.
- Wasps - Wasp nests reach their largest in late summer, early autumn. Reduced food sources means you’re likely to see more of them.
- Slugs and snails - Cooler, wetter conditions in autumn allows slugs and snails to re-emerge. These in particular enjoy feeding on your plants and veggies.
How to keep pests out in autumn
Keep your garden tidy
Shaded, moist areas are ideal shelter for pests. Cleaning fallen leaves and debris weekly means these areas aren’t left undisturbed for pests to move in. It’s also a good idea to clear out garages, potting sheds and green houses at the end of summer.
Remove diseased plants quickly
If you see signs of mildew, black spots, leaf curl or insect holes, dispose of these plants or leaves immediately. Decaying plants spread disease and are ideal breeding grounds for pests, which is particularly damaging for smaller, urban gardens. Disposing of them quickly prevents pests from coming back stronger in spring.
Use natural deterrents
When possible, avoid putting harsh chemicals on your plants. It’s important we take care of wildlife as well as the fruits (and vegetables) of our labour. Lots of common autumn pests can be prevented with natural repellents. Strong aromatic plants, like garlic and chilli, and organic sprays can help to repel insects.
Secure compost and bins
Keep all bins and compost heaps secure. When bins are left open or overflow they attract all kinds of insects and rodents. Make sure all your waste is stored in bins with lids so they can be fully shut away.
Put barriers or coverings around your plants
As food grows sparse, slugs, snails, insects and birds will look to your garden for supplies. Using fine mesh to block critters from eating your plants and vegetables is a great way to keep pests away without using harsh chemicals. It’s also good for insulating plants against early frosts.
When is pest control a problem for the professionals?
Many pests, especially the ones that appear in autumn and winter are resilient, so when you’re dealing with an infestation it’s difficult to get it under control yourself. This is when calling in a professional pest control service is helpful.
There are also instances where nests are leftover from summer and you need these to be cleared. Wasps nests, for example, are unlikely to be active in late autumn, but there may still be stragglers in early autumn. To avoid any unexpected stings and make sure the entire nest is fully disposed of, look for wasp nest removal near me to handle the job.
Final thoughts
Seeing lots of life around your garden is the goal, but watching your green-thumbed work go to waste shouldn’t be the price to pay. Luckily there’s plenty of ways to keep pests under control while still letting your garden and the life around it thrive.
But when infestations grow out of control it can become necessary to call on reinforcements and leave it to the professionals to prevent returning pests and worsening infestations.
