Keep mice, deer and birds from gardens with kitchen essential everyone has in cupboard

There’s a clever trick already in your kitchen that will keep pests at bay from your gardenHow to banish pests from your garden(Image: Getty)

Garden pests can be a real nuisance, causing significant damage to your plants. While chemical repellents are available, they may not always be the safest or most cost-effective solution. Luckily, there’s a smart alternative already in your kitchen, and it’s not a food item as you might think.

Gardening experts swear by aluminium foil. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your garden from mice, deer, and birds – below we have detailed how to do it.

How to stop garden pests1. Mice

Home Digest suggests that mice have a strong sensory aversion to aluminium foil. They dislike its shiny surface and are put off by the crinkling noise it makes when stepped on, reports the Express.

Moreover, while mice are known to chew through a wide range of materials, aluminium foil seems to be one they avoid.

Mice dislike the shiny look and sound of tin foil(Image: Getty)

“Consider placing pieces of aluminium foil specifically around entry points to your home. These include below doors, under windows, and any crevices you can find.

“Foil is malleable enough to stick in these small spots and wrap around areas mice might climb in an effort to access your home, such as outdoor furniture, gutters, or pipes,” said the experts.

2. Birds

Many gardeners enjoy having a fruit-bearing tree in their garden. But the downside is, you’re not the only one eyeing the harvest – birds are quick to snatch the ripest fruit.

“Protect your fruit trees with fishing line tied with twisted strips of aluminium foil. The light reflected from the foil wards off the birds, as does the sound of the foil moving in the wind,” advised How Stuff Works.

How to stop deer from entering your garden(Image: Getty)

This method is also effective against crows and bats. To keep these creatures at bay, hang strips of aluminium foil around the perimeter of your garden, particularly in areas where they are frequently spotted, such as near rooftops.

3. Deer

“When considering pests, deer might not be the first species you think of. However, if you have small trees in your garden without a protective barrier, such as a fence, it’s possible that they may become feasting grounds for deer.

“You can help keep deer out of your garden and away from small trees by installing a fence, but using aluminium foil may offer a more immediate (and budget-friendly) solution. It works by creating a shiny and textured surface that deer reportedly stay away from.”

To deter deer, wrap tree trunks with aluminium foil to prevent them from nibbling on the leaves. You can also scrunch up sheets of foil and place them around the bases of plants.