Gardeners are being urged to keep hold of a specific item to deter pests from their plants this summer. It can be frustrating to find young seedlings have been damaged or even killed by pests such as cutworms.

Experts from Family Handyman have explained how recycling a toilet item can help to deter the pests. The method is particularly effective while seedlings are at their younger and more vulnerable stage of development. If they can survive this, they are then able to flourish.

People are recommended to use toilet paper tubes as a "protective collar" for seedlings. The experts advise placing the tube over the seedling, pressing partly into the soil, in order to protect it from cutworms.

The cutworms living in the surface of the soil do not like to climb so will be deterred from reaching the seedlings. Likewise, old tuna or cat food cans can also be used.

The Family Handyman said: "It’s devastating to see tender new seedlings mowed down in the night by marauding cutworms, but there is a simple solution."

It added: "Once seedlings are taller, they are less vulnerable to cutworm chomping. This protects them and their crucial main stem at a critical period in development."

Cutworms damage plants and feed on stems near the soil line. They cut off the plant's supply of nutrients and water which can deter growth or even kill them.

In wthe worst cases, they can cause young seedlings to disappear overnight. The common signs of cutworm activity in your garden include cut stems and wilting.

As well as physical barriers, gardeners are advised to make sure the area around their plants are free of weeds. This is because cutworms often lay eggs on weeds.

You can also choose to lay homemade traps to catch the cutworms out. These include carrots or potatoes buried in the soil.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) said: "Cutworm damage can kill seedlings and young plants. Larvae may move along the rows of crops, such as lettuce or leek and cut plants off, one after another.

"Like slugs, cutworms make cavities in stems, rhizomes, tubers, and roots of large plants. Damage to root crops may not be evident until harvest."