Want to Keep Pests Away From Your Garden? Try This Viral Disco Ball Trick
It seems everyone has a cure for keeping pests away, from sticky traps and DIY sprays to planting specific herbs and plants.
But have you heard the advice that reflective surfaces can also deter pests? Well, TikTok creator Lex Partain, aka LEXtalkaboutit, has, and her choice reflective service was mini disco balls.
And while some or all of the other, less "shiny" methods may work for you, they're not as fun or "whimsy" as they could be.
@lexpartain Plus it's sooooo fun too! #fyp#dollartree#garden#lifehack#gardeninghacks
Blame It On the Boogie (John Luongo Disco Mix) - The Jacksons
Hanging little glittering balls throughout your outdoor space isn't for everyone, and it definitely might not be for you, but if it is, read on about how Partain incorporated them in her garden and why it might work for you, too.
How Do I Display Them?
Firstly, you'll need to acquire your disco balls. While there isn't one guaranteed disco ball provider out there outside of the internet, you should be able to find them at a local party or craft store if you're hoping to find them in person. And if you can't find them, the worst-case scenario is you have to order them online.
Once you have selected your preferred size and quantity of disco balls (more is always better for discouraging pests from your garden), you need to decide how you want to display them.
For Partain, she took lantern hooks, stuck them in the ground and hung smaller disco balls in her garden. You could also hang them from arches or porches, hang them in trees or even use disco ball stickers to cover the outside of benches, statues, etc.
Related: Gardeners Are Loving These 10 Foliage Plants for a Lush, Polished Garden
Does It Actually Work?
While disco balls are fun, and frankly, in my opinion, give cool gardener energy, you could take this idea and use any reflective surface, like vintage mirrors, in your garden.
Pest control expert Juan C. Rezk told Homes & Gardensin 2025 that this trick may not work well on a cloudy day, but it works on sunny days to keep flies away.
"The disco ball trick has been around, and I can attest that it can be effective in the correct setting," Rezk told the magazine. "It's not magic, though."
He went on to say that flies rely on light reflections to navigate, and a spinning disco ball ends up casting reflections everywhere, confusing them.
"It doesn't harm them, but if it irritates them enough, they may avoid the area," he added.
By that same logic, disco balls can also confuse birds and keep them out of your gardens and plants.
Whether you love quirky outdoor decor, want to find natural ways to deter garden pests or both, a disco ball, funnily enough, may just be your saving grace.
Related: This One Beautiful Flowering Plant Helps Keep Deer and Rabbits Away Naturally
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 4:30 PM.