Latest news with #LiamCleary
The Sun
11 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
The 49p plant that keeps wasps away – it flowers until September & fills your garden with gorgeous fragrance
THERE'S nothing better than lying out in your garden and soaking up the sun. And don't worry if your space seems prone to wasps because a handy hack can help to repel them. And since the current heatwave likely means more barbecues and garden get togethers, wasp season is officially here. If you want to enjoy your summer drinks and al fresco dining without worrying about these buzzing pests, you can swap out a chemical spray for a natural deterrent. With wasp populations increasing even further in July, now is the time to act. Thankfully, one of summer's most popular plants can double as a natural wasp repellent. But you'll want to get it in the ground now as once wasps beging building nests they become a lot more difficult to remove. That's when things get really costly, with professional removal fees reaching up to £241. Liam Cleary, who works as an outdoor plants expert at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, revealed that planting lavender is a simple and affordable solution to your wasp problem. 'Wasps are highly sensitive to strong scents, and lavender is one they really don't like," he explained. "Planting it near seating areas, doorways, or patios can help mask the smells that attract them, like food, sugary drinks, or perfumes.' Lavender contains essential oils like linalool and camphor, which give it that distinctive floral smell. I tried the best ways to stop mosquitoes on your summer hols - from sprays, patches & bracelets, one was a dud and stank And while this scent is pleasant to humans it can be overwhelming to wasps, which rely heavily on scent to detect food. But don't worry, pollinator insects will still be drawn to this garden plant. And since lavender is drought-tolerant, you don't have to worry about it in the summer heat. You can pick up a pot of lavender for £6 from Ikea, or lavender seeds for as little as 49p can be found at The Range. 'It's low maintenance, smells incredible, and keeps your garden feeling calm, all while helping you enjoy a wasp-free zone," the expert added. Keep pests out all summer Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mossies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass. If you're planning to add lavender to your outdoor space, choose a sunny spot. Lavender loves full sun and well-drained soil, so avoid shaded or damp areas. Be careful not to overwater as this can cause lavender to wilt or rot. And if you're particularly prone to wasp visits, try planting lavender alongside mint, thyme, or lemongrass for an extra layer of protection. Wasps are known become more aggressive from late June into August as their colonies grow and natural food sources decline. This makes them more likely to pester humans for sugary snacks and drinks so you may want to cover your food and drinks when enjoying time in the sun. 2 You should also avoid wearing bright clothing and strong perfumes if you want to steer clear of these stinging pests. Finally, keep these insects away from your home by sealing your bins and compost this summer. A 22p item from your kitchen cupboard can also help to repel wasps from your garden. Another 10p hack can also keep the pests from your garden all summer long. And you can also keep these insects from your home this summer with another handy trick. Or you can use a natural ingredient to repel wasps from your garden on a budget. An affordable bait method can also work in your favour when repelling pests.
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Experts share simple 49p plant that will keep wasps out of your garden this summer
Wasps will be out in force over the weekend as soaring temperatures will see a surge in insects. Garden experts have shared a simple 49p plant that will keep them at bay this summer As Brits gear up for a sunny weekend in the garden, they're warned to watch out for unwanted visitors, as the warmer weather is expected to bring about an increase in wasp numbers. With the removal of unexpected nests possibly setting one back by £250, there's an affordable preventative measure in a common 49p plant. Gardeners are advised by Liam Cleary, an outdoor plants specialist at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, that planting lavender can offer not just aesthetic delight, but also act as a deterrent to wasps. Cleary advised: "Wasps are highly sensitive to strong scents, and lavender is one they really don't like. Planting it near seating areas, doorways, or patios can help mask the smells that attract them, like food, sugary drinks or perfumes." Why lavender keeps wasps away The reason why wasps steer clear of lavender lies in the plant's essential oils, namely linalool and camphor, which create a heady floral scent adored by humans and beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, but repugnant to wasps. Wasps depend heavily on their sense of smell to find sustenance. Lavender's ease of cultivation and tolerance for drought make it a top choice for gardens. It's ideal for adding charm to any area, including compact varieties for balconies or expansive types to line walkways, all lined up for National Lavender Day coming on July 9, reports Devon Live. You can get hold of a pot of lavender for £6, or opt for lavender seeds at just 49p. Liam commented: "It's low maintenance, smells incredible, and keeps your garden feeling calm, all while helping you enjoy a wasp-free zone." Pointers for the best results Find a sunny position: Lavender thrives in full sunshine and soil that drains well, so bypass any spots that are shaded or waterlogged. Opt for containers or raised beds: These allow for greater flexibility in positioning the plants, proving ideal for patios or balcony spaces. Resist the urge to over-irrigate: Given that lavender is tolerant to drought and favours dryish conditions, too much watering might lead to its demise. Combine with other natural repellents: To increase your safeguarding against wasps, consider growing lavender in the company of mint, thyme, or lemongrass for added defence. Be aware that wasps become more tenacious from late June through August as their colonies expand and they experience a decline in natural sources of food, which makes them venture closer to humans, eyeing up our sweet edibles and tipples. Ensure food and beverages are covered Steer clear of vivid attire and potent fragrances Keep refuse and composting areas tightly sealed
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
National BBQ Week: The most popular foods for 2025
It's time to fire up the barbecue 🔥 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... National BBQ Week takes place from May 26 to June 1 A BBQ expert has shared the most popular barbecued foods of 2025 BBQ chicken takes the top spot with 5,192 searches As we approach the warmer months of the year, it seems only right that we are starting to host barbecue's in our gardens. We are also right in the middle of celebrating National BBQ Week, a dedicated week to celebrating delicious barbequed food. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From Monday May 26 to Sunday June 1, National BBQ Week is being held, giving people across the country the ideal opportunity to fire up the barbecue. To mark the celebration, a BBQ expert from Old Railway Line Garden Centre has shared the most popular BBQ foods for 2025, as well as expert tips on how to grill to perfection. National BBQ Week: The most popular foods for 2025 and tips for grilling to perfection | New Africa - What are the most popular BBQ foods for 2025? While burgers and sausages are usually known as the top barbecue foods, the study by Old Railway Line Garden Centre has found that Brits are now searching for a modern twist on the typical barbecued meat. BBQ expert Liam Cleary has shared the top five most popular barbecued foods, as most searched by Brits across the UK, with BBQ chicken taking the top spot. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Other popular searches include; BBQ ribs, BBQ corn on the cob, BBQ burger and BBQ sausages. How do you perfectly grill chicken according to a BBQ expert? Liam Cleary has shared his top tips to grilling chicken to perfection. Tips include; skipping the marinade, not using a meat thermometer, and cooking it on direct heat. Liam said: 'Chicken can easily dry out on the BBQ if you don't marinade it properly, and I don't mean just coating it in sauce right before you pop it on the grill. You need to prep it in advance. Infuse the chicken with those amazing flavours and let it soak in overnight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'One of the biggest challenges with BBQ chicken is getting the temperature right. It's so easy to end up with burnt skin and raw meat in the middle. But using a meat thermometer can take out the guessing. The internal temperature should reach 75°C to be safe to eat, while still being nice and juicy.' Says Cleary In regards to cooking on direct heat, Liam said: 'People often think that to get crispy BBQ chicken, it has to cook over direct heat the whole time. But that will leave you with dry, burnt chicken' explains Cleary. 'To get the skin crisp and golden while ensuring the inside is still juicy, the trick is to use indirect heat to cook the chicken through first for roughly 20-30 minutes, then move it to direct heat for a few minutes at the end to get that perfectly crispy skin.' If you have a food and drink story to share with us, we'd love to hear from you. You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Ask Adrian: How do I move photos from my computer?
Our technology editor answers your trickiest tech questions Question: I have an old computer that I have not used in years with a lot of old photos on it. I would like to copy or transfer them to my iPhone or my iPad. It's an old computer, of the type with the big back to it. Can you please help me? — Liam Cleary Answer
