Gardener warns popular pest removal hack ‘does more damage than good’ & why killing all your weeds is bad idea too

GREEN-fingered Brits are being warned about popular gardening hacks that could actually have a negative impact on local wildlife.

With the recent sunny weather, many people will be tackling outdoor jobs after winter, but there are some you should think twice about.

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Ecologists from Arbtech have revealed common garden mistakes and offered alternatives to keen gardeners looking to improve biodiversity.  

Mistakes include over-cleaning a garden, removing all weeds and using inhumane methods like glue traps for capturing pests. 

A spokesperson said: “We have certainly seen an increase in those interested in increasing biodiversity in their gardens, which is something we encourage among anyone with outdoor space. 

 “There are really simple changes you can make to create a more wildlife friendly garden, including leaving natural waste for nesting materials and avoiding weeding too much.”

Here are some gardening jobs or items that could be causing harm…

1. Slug pellets

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Although used by many gardeners in order to protect plants from slug damage, the pellets may actually cause more problems than they solve in your garden. 

The use of slug pellets poses a significant threat to garden wildlife, which is why pellets containing the metaldehyde chemical have been banned in the UK.

It is illegal to use or store these pellets, so homeowners are being told to check their sheds for any old pellets which no longer follow correct regulations. 

The main ingredient in slug repellents is toxic to other garden wildlife, including hedgehogs and birds. 

Even slug pellets labelled as ‘organic’ contain ingredients which could be fatal to other wildlife. 

Slug pellets in your garden could also be harmful to your pets, as consumption in large quantities could be toxic. 

The gardening experts urge Brits to use natural repellents, including crushed eggshells or coffee grounds, which can be spread around plants to repel slugs. 

You can also choose slug-proof plants. 

Opt for native species which can cope with slugs or species with adaptations like spiky leaves, thin leaves, woolly surfaces or strong aromas. 

These can deter slugs and snails and make eating the plant difficult.  

2. Removing natural waste

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Over-cleaning your garden and removing natural debris like leaves could actually be taking nesting materials and wildlife refuges away from wildlife in your garden. 

By removing all garden waste you take away essential food sources. 

The experts said: “Creating and retaining nesting materials is an easy way to encourage wildlife in your garden, so we encourage you to leave your grass a little longer, leave the hollow stems of last year's flowers, embrace decay and let your garden become a little ‘wilder’.”

3. Using glue traps 

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These traps are illegal for public use, and anyone who fails to comply could be convicted of an offence. 

The gardening pros added: “This type of trap is considered to be cruel, and can cause real suffering to wildlife. 

“The traps can’t discriminate against certain animals, meaning non-targets animals like hedgehogs, birds and family pets could become trapped.”

4. Constant weeding

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Although many gardeners like to stay on top of their weed-removal, they are actually getting rid of an invaluable source of nectar, seeds, shelter and nest sites for insects and birds.

Leaving a wild patch in your garden rather than killing off all weeds could make a big difference to your garden’s ecosystem and encourage new wildlife.