As a gardening journalist, I come across so many different hacks to apparently prevent garden problems. While many of them have proven to be useful, some are not always the best advice to follow – including the latest trick of using plastic forks to deter pests from crops over winter.
It’s a pest control method that involves sticking plastic forks in the ground upward to create a barrier for the pests that destroy plants. While it’s true the spikey nature of the forks will deter some pests to a certain extent by making it challenging for them to reach the plants, it isn’t necessarily the most sustainable or effective method to use.
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Why you shouldn’t use plastic forks for pest control
(Image credit: Richard Levine via Alamy)
The idea of sticking plastic forks in the ground around your plants to create a pest barrier can be a tempting cheap and quick pest control hack, but it’s a method Drew Swainston, Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens, says ‘is riddled with potential flaws.’
Though you may not see the damage happening, Drew notes, ‘Putting huge numbers of forks in the ground risks lots of potential microplastics ending up in the soil.’
In turn, this affects your soil health and structure, including nutrient-retention, impacting plant growth. Plus, crops growing in contaminated soil can also lead to microplastics being consumed by humans.
Not only this, but plastic forks are not the strongest of materials. Things like adverse weather and small animals may dislodge and break them, instantly removing any pest control purpose they were offering.
By having to then regularly replace the plastic forks, this can also become quite a wasteful method to use.
Above all, Drew notes it may not even work as effectively as you would hope:
‘Small pests, such as slugs and snails, aren’t going to be bothered by forks sticking up out of the soil, while you would need huge quantities of forks to efficiently ward off larger ones, like rabbits, rats, squirrels, or cats.’
‘It is inefficient method to discourage only a small proportion of seasonal pests, and it is a risk to wildlife, which could scratch or impale themselves,’ he explains.
That’s where non-toxic gardening swaps and methods come in, offering more reliable protection through natural means and plastic-free products.
‘I think the best way to keep pests away from your vegetables over winter is to use netting to cover large plants, cover smaller plants or seedlings with a cloche (glass one from Amazon) or portable cold frame cover, and use companion planting courtesy of aromatic herbs or alliums to deter pests,’ Drew suggests.
Drew Swainston
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Gardens Content Editor
Drew qualified as a journalist and wrote for many websites and publications, before studying for a horticulture qualification. He worked as a professional gardener for several years, specializing in kitchen gardening. He’s now bringing his expertise and passion to Homes & Gardens as a member of our team.
What to use instead of plastic forks for pest control
(Image credit: GKSFlorapics via Alamy)
Now you know why you shouldn’t use plastic forks for pest control, you can explore alternative methods to adopt.
This includes companion planting, where you place the best pest-repellent plants near the plants you’re wanting to protect.
These are plants that often give off a scent or release a chemical pests can’t stand, like marigolds (seeds from Walmart).
Or, you can use other sources of scents that deter pests, like a peppermint pest spray (from Amazon).
You can also use crushed eggshells in the yard to create a pest barrier, offering a spikey and uncomfortable boundary they won’t want to cross.
There are plenty of eco-friendly yard tools that will stop winter garden pests and spring garden pests alike, too. This includes using a burlap barrier or cover, which is made from natural fibers. You can find garden burlap on Amazon.
You can shop some of our top picks of non-toxic winter pest control tools below:
Peppermint Repellent Spray
This peppermint pest repellent spray is a natural pest control solution. It can be sprayed around and on the most susceptible plants, with the scent deterring a wide range of harmful insects.
Use this chicken wire to create a fence around your plants. It will keep out a wide range of pests, including squirrels and deer, protecting your crops from damage.
Burlap is a natural material, ideal for a range of uses in the garden. You can create barriers to keep pests away from plants, as well as using it for frost protection and weed control.
Marigolds are one of the best pest-repellent plants. They produce a strong scent and a natural compound called pyrethrum which many harmful pests cannot stand.
Use these wire cloches to cover smaller and younger plants. They keep a range of pests away from plants, including squirrels. These cloches measure 9.13×9.13 inches.
Live Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are a microscopic roundworms that prey on a range of destructive insects and pests. Simply add to your watering can to apply to your beds and borders.
FAQs
Yes, you can use metal forks for pest control by placing them in the ground upwards. It creates an uncomfortable barrier for pests to cross, keeping them away from plants. This is a more sustainable option than plastic forks, but it still isn’t necessarily as effective as plant covers and companion planting, as many pests will be able to move past and avoid the forks.
While putting winter pest control methods in place, make sure to also take the time to stop pests overwintering in your shed. This is a warm and sheltered spot that can house a range of destructive pests over the winter months.
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