How to repel garden pests using old laundry bags and smoky tea

Gardening · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: You do not need harsh chemicals to defend your garden from hungry birds, possums, and rodents. By repurposing household waste and utilizing specific scents, you can create a multi-layered defense system that protects your crops while maintaining an organic, eco-friendly landscape.

Gardening Australia suggests that physical barriers are the most direct way to protect young seedlings from birds like blackbirds and starlings. Rather than complex structures, gardeners can use simple household items like old containers, pots with the bottoms removed, or even sieves to cover vulnerable plants. For larger rows of vegetables, a mesh arch made from wire or reo mesh provides a sturdy overhead shield. These barriers should remain in place for approximately two weeks, allowing the plants to establish a robust root system before being exposed.

When it comes to protecting ripening fruit, netting can be cumbersome. Organic farming techniques often favor individual fruit protection using laundry bags or old onion bags. The critical requirement for these bags is adequate airflow to prevent rot. Alternatively, a single plastic pot with one side split can be placed over a fruit at the stem, providing a customized shield that balances protection with ventilation.

For mammals like possums, the strategy shifts from physical barriers to olfactory deterrents. Two specific methods are highlighted: the use of 'blood and bone' and Lapsang Souchong tea. Blood and bone can be sprinkled at the base of plants or packed into old stockings as 'stink bombs' to be hung in trees. Lapsang Souchong, a Chinese herbal tea known for its smoky aroma, can be brewed, cooled, and sprayed onto 'possum highways'—the specific fences and trunks these animals use for transit. These sprays require reapplication every two weeks or following rainfall to remain effective.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

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