By Tobias Hanekom, Group Horticulturalist at Faircape Life
If you’ve recently visited Faircape Life Bridgewater in Somerset West, you may have spotted a few enthusiastic garden assistants waddling between the flowerbeds. Instead of uniforms and timesheets, these assistants have feathers and focus.
Our small flock of Pekin, or “kwakker”, ducks forms part of our natural pest management team, and they play a surprisingly powerful role in keeping our gardens healthy and chemical-free.
Rethinking Pest Control the Natural Way
Residential gardens, especially those in large, well-irrigated estates, are a haven for snails and slugs. Left unchecked, they can quickly damage ornamental plants, young seedlings and groundcovers. Traditionally, many gardeners reach for chemical pesticides or herbicides to solve the problem, but these can cause harm to biodiversity, contaminate runoff water and create long-term dependency on synthetic solutions.
At Faircape Life, we prefer to work with nature rather than against it. Instead of eliminating everything in sight, we introduce biological solutions that restore balance and target the problem while protecting soil health, beneficial insects and surrounding plant life. It’s a much slower process for sure, but it is a more thoughtful approach, and it delivers long-term results.
We encourage the local Pekin ducks because they are exceptional foragers. Snails and slugs are high on their menu, and their natural feeding behaviour allows them to patrol lawns and garden beds effectively without harming plants.
Unlike chemical pesticides, Pekin ducks don’t disturb root systems or contaminate soil, and they certainly don’t leave behind chemical residue.
By reducing our snail populations naturally, our plants experience less stress and grow more vigorously. Healthier plants are more resilient, require fewer interventions and contribute to a thriving landscape ecosystem.
Our Pekin ducks are just one example of our broader commitment to environmentally responsible gardening. At Faircape Life estates, we do not use chemical herbicides or pesticides in routine garden maintenance. Instead, our landscape philosophy focuses on promoting soil health through organic practices and supporting long-term ecological balance, encouraging biodiversity and creating safe shared spaces for residents and wildlife.
How You Can Garden the Natural Way at Home
You don’t need a flock of ducks to start reducing chemicals in your own garden. A few simple concoctions from your kitchen or pantry make a meaningful difference:
1. Soap and water sprays.
A simple mix of mild liquid soap and water can deter soft-bodied insects like aphids and mealybugs without harming your plants or beneficial insects.
2. Coffee grounds or crushed eggshells.
Sprinkle these around your plants to discourage slugs and snails.
3. Plant lavender, rosemary or marigolds,
especially among vegetables and ornamentals, to naturally repel certain pests while attracting pollinators.
4. Beer trap.
A shallow container sunk into the soil and filled with beer is an old-fashioned way of trapping snails and slugs.
5. Homemade garlic or chilli sprays.
These natural plant-based sprays deter soft-bodied insects and are far gentler on the environment.
Sustainable landscaping in residential gardens is both possible and practical, and, as our residents will tell you, it can also be quite charming.
At Faircape Life, we believe beautiful gardens should nurture both people and the planet, and occasionally, they should quack while doing it.
The Pekin ducks have quickly become firm favourites in the village, reminding us daily that effective garden care doesn’t have to come from a bottle. Sometimes, it simply needs a pair of webbed feet and a healthy appetite.For more information on Faircape Life’s retirement villages, please visit www.faircapelife.co.za.