Banish garden weeds and stop them from returning with 80p homemade repellent

Summer is just around the corner and Scotland is finally getting some warmer weather, which means spending more time outside in the garden and admiring nature.

However, the sunnier months of the year provide the prime conditions for pesky weeds to thrive, which can be a real eyesore for gardening fans.

Green-fingered whizzes have been advised to steer clear of shop-bought weed killers, as these are often pumped full of harmful chemicals that can be toxic to humans and animals. Instead, there's a more natural approach you can take that works just as effectively - and it's affordable too.

Experts from Plastic Centre say you can harness the power of simple, everyday ingredients to create an effective, eco-friendly weed killer. With just three common household items, "you can prepare your garden for a vibrant summer while keeping it safe and natural", they said.

To make a small batch, simply mix 500ml of vinegar with 30ml of cooking salt and a tablespoon of washing-up liquid. Pour the vinegar into your pressurised sprayer first, followed by the cooking salt and the dishwashing liquid. Give it a good shake to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed, Wales Online reports.

For best results, you should spray this on your weeds on a hot and dry day in order to 'maximise' its effectiveness. The experts say that within 24 hours, the weeds will start to wilt, before becoming totally dried out within 48 hours.

They added: "This simple, quick-acting formula not only keeps your garden looking pristine, but also sidesteps the environmental and financial costs associated with commercial weed killers."

The warmer weather also means you could be faced with an abundance of other pests in your garden, such as rats and other rodents, which are often attracted to food that has been left out.

Again, instead of turning to harmful pesticides, you can make your own DIY repellent simply by placing some chopped onions around the rat hole or anywhere else that you've spotted rodents lurking.

This natural deterrent works because rats 'can't stand' the smell of onions, so they'll keep away. However, these can be dangerous for dogs, so it's worth being mindful about where you put them.

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