Just read this post today, spiders done really bother me but I do kill the wolf spiders here. Living in a rural area you see all kinds of creators. Last summer I went to pick my dog up from his godparents, when I looked down in the passenger floorboard there was a good size black snake(good snake), all coiled up resting nicely. I went to my friends house to get a golf club to get it out, but the snake had gone up in my dash. After I drove home, I call the local vets office, they had no idea what to do. So I called the local Nature Center and they could not tell me what to do. First I tried blasting the radio with Heavy Metal, hoping that would bother my visitor and it would leave. Did not happen! Then I turned the heat on high, open the car doors, kept a vigilant watch, after a while I saw the head come out and final the black snake left by the passenger door. Me being there did not bother it in the least, moved over to my raised flower bed, stretched out, about 5 feet long then went on his way. Two weeks ago we were installing a new waterline and the guys saw the snake where they were working. They picked it up and move to the field across the way. Later they were discussing something and the black snake came back, went right between the two of them like they weren't even their. FYI Black Snakes kill copperheads and rattlesnakes, which we all so have. I prefer the Black Snake any day.

Without seeing pictures I would say to renovate to original as much as you can. Reinstate original windows, etc. Render can be tricky aside from re-paint. Can clad over it but its expensive to do correctly, it's the extra work required around windows and eaves, etc rather than just installing the cladding over battens which itself it quite quick. Once a picture or two is uploaded many more suggestions will come forward.

Hi Julie, Its a crazy little plant and always happy in the garden. Many thanks Chris Slaughter - Lead Designer www.scenicbluedesign.com.au

I totally feel your pain when it comes to dealing with mosquitoes in the garden. They can be such a nuisance, right? Thanks for sharing these awesome natural solutions using plants to keep those pesky bugs away. Lavender, marigolds, rosemary, and basil all seem like great options. I've personally experienced the annoyance of mosquitoes firsthand, and I'm always on the lookout for effective pest control methods. Speaking of which, while browsing online, I stumbled upon a pest control service called AJ Verminator Pest Control. They might have some helpful solutions to tackle these critters. You can check them out at https://ajverminatorpestcontrol.com/wasp-pest-control-sunderland/