Natural Pest Control

From Tony Thain:

When Tonia and I moved into The Old Dairy in 1988, we soon became aware of a problem that inflicts most rural properties, namely rodent, insect and other pests. At that time there were no signs of wildlife like Hedgehogs inhabiting or visiting the garden which was alive with several species of slugs, happily chomping through anything green that we planted. Similarly, the barn and steading were home to legions of mice, which had the potential to damage tools, electrical appliances and even chew the mains wiring, with disastrous consequences [one cooked mouse and a house fire!]. Luckily the house was free of rodents and has remained so due to constant vigilance.

As there were no signs of wildlife, we used appropriate preparations including mouse traps to sort out the main trouble makers, mice and slugs. Whilst these did not solve the problems fully, they seemed to keep the numbers of pests at a reasonable level. That is until, after about four years, a Hedgehog was spotted in the garden. This was the incentive to carefully remove all the chemical warfare preparations that I had been using and to allow the wildlife to do its job.

Initially, Hedgehogs were attracted to the garden with food and they soon worked out that they were welcome, with accommodation and medical treatment on tap. They have rewarded us by removing most of the slugs.




Over the years we have been taken over by the 1st Battle Group of Hedgehogs and once the infantry was established we soon saw signs of the wildlife equivalent of the SAS [Special Air Service, not the Scottish Ambulance Service] in the form of Boadicea and Attila the Sparrowhawks. They were often seen and they left their traces with piles of feathers left under bushes where a feral pigeon had met its maker.

 Of course the Air Force was there in the shape of squadrons of garden birds attacking snails, insects and even slugs. Sparrows, Finches, Blue and Great Tits, along with Blackbirds and Thrushes were all attracted to the safe haven of the Old Dairy's garden with all its supplies of food, both "on the hoof" and provided in feeders.

The one strange thing was that, despite the quantities of bird and hedgehog food around the garden, the mouse population started to decline, there was less damage in the barn and workshop; but I was taking little action against the rodents apart from traps set in the cars to catch any invaders. Occasionally, we glimpsed a brown flash out of the corner of our eyes but could not positively identify the secret agent that seemed to be waging a one animal war on mice. Finally, one day when Tonia had left a dish of mince on a garden bench in the corridor between the barn and steading, we identified the animal nicknamed "007". It was Wilfred the Weasel who dashed out from a drainage grill, crossed the corridor and jumped onto the bench to eat the mince. This time I could get a photo of this elusive pest controller.  He has since been spotted in the workshop, the barn and stalking the rockery in the garden, all too quick to get on film.

With all the wildlife feeling safe in our garden, they often came to visit us in the house. It is not unusual to have a Hedgehog come through the front or back door in the summer when both doors are open for fresh air, and we have had all manner of birds fly around the house from a Sparrowhawk to the latest, a Blue Tit that took a liking to the Christmas tree!

My main message is; treat the wildlife properly and they will reward you with hours of fun and do a good job in your garden, keeping unwanted pests at bay.

Wishing all a happy Christmas from humans and wildlife alike at The Old Dairy [AKA The Hedgehog Hilton].

Many thanks to Tony for pictures and story.