MONTY Don has shared a 90p hack to keep pesky pigeons out of your garden this summer.
After weeks of rain and drizzle, the UK has finally been treated to some much overdue sun, meaning many of us are spending as much time as we can in our gardens.
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Pigeons are an extremely common sight in British gardens, and although they may seem harmless, actually carry diseases which can destroy plants.
Not only this, but they are also known to peck at garden plants, fruits and vegetables, leaving them looking a mess,
So, in order to make sure your garden is in top form for any BBQs or garden parties you may be hosting this summer, it's important to keep them at bay.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, gardening legend Monty revealed the simple tactic he used as a child to banish pigeons from his garden.
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He said: "When I was a child, pigeons were enemy number one and thevegetablepatchwas strung with milk bottle tops in an attempt to deter them.
“I remember we painted cola bottles bright red and stuck them on bean sticks, although I'm not sure a red bottle is the most terrifying thing to a passing pigeon.”
He added: "In the 1990s all the freebie CDs that came with almost every newspaper got recycled as pigeon scarers, and old cassette tape was excellent strung between canes."
These methods deter pigeons as sudden flashes of light from reflective surfaces confuse pigeons and are perceived as a potential threat or predator.
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Pigeons are naturally very cautious, so unknown movement scares them and keeps them out of the garden.
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Most of us have old milk bottle caps or unwanted CDs lying around in the house, but if not, you can pick up a bottle of milk from the supermarket for as cheap as 90p.
Old CDs and cassette tapes are also in plentiful supply at most charity shops, usually for very cheap.
Monty added that if you are worried about old CDs and bottle tops making your garden look ugly, you can use a traditional scarecrow instead.
He said: "A scarecrow would do the trick very well and has much more style."
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
You can also use bird netting to protect your plants from being eaten, as they act as a barrier, preventing the creatures from getting near your vegetables.
However, Monty said that you have to make sure to do this properly, or birds will find a way to get through it.
He said: "Cabbages, cauliflowers, sprouts, broccoli, chard and lettuces have to be protected beneath netting.
"Even this is insufficient if it's not put up firmly enough as the birds learn that their body weight will push the netting down so they can peck the leaves through the mesh."
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“It's worth making sure that the supports are high enough to be clear of a full-grown cabbage because butterflies will land on the netting and lay their eggs through the mesh if they can reach.”
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