Monty Don has shared a simple daily habit to introduce to cool down greenhouses and banish unwanted pests - but his suggestion hasn't gone down well with some people09:44, 26 Jul 2026Gardening guru Monty Don has detailed a quick and straightforward daily habit to introduce which will effectively cool down greenhouses while simultaneously keeping unwanted insect pests at bay - though not everybody was won over by the idea. The summer months usually encourage people to spend more time outdoors, with many turning their attention to their gardens and yards, keen to spruce them up and help them look their best before the sunshine vanishes and winter returns.‌But given the recent spell of heatwaves across the nation in recent months, some gardeners have found it increasingly difficult to keep their yards, greenhouses and outdoor spaces looking their finest.‌Beloved horticulturist, broadcaster and writer Monty Don is widely celebrated for his vast expertise across all things garden-related, with legions of green-fingered fans eager to take on board his advice as they strive to get the very best from their outdoor spaces.‌No stranger to the spotlight, Monty is perhaps best known as the lead presenter of the hugely popular BBC gardening series Gardeners' World. On top of that, he regularly shares ideas, insights and recommendations across his own well-followed social media channels.Whether you're looking to encourage local wildlife to flourish, hoping to nurture thriving perennial plants, or simply dreaming of crafting a tranquil, private retreat on your own doorstep, the gardening expert is never short of useful tips and practical suggestions.How to cool down greenhouses and banish spider mitesIn a video posted to Instagram by the official Gardeners' World account, Monty is seen strolling through a greenhouse and dousing the floor with water using a handheld hose.‌He explained: "With these instances of very hot weather that we're increasingly having, it's a good idea to cool down your greenhouse and the best way to do that is to wet the floor once or twice a day."It'll both cool it and increase humidity, which is a good way of combating red spider mite."Red spider mites are a notorious headache for many gardeners. These tiny, sap-sucking arachnids are particularly prevalent in greenhouses.‌Highly destructive by nature, they cause considerable damage to houseplants, greenhouse crops and outdoor garden plants alike. They typically pierce plant cells to extract sap, leaving leaves with pale mottling, yellowing or a silvery appearance. Tell-tale signs of an infestation include the fine silk webbing they frequently leave in their wake.Content cannot be displayed without consentIn the comments section, fellow Instagram users were quick to share their views, with many unable to put Monty's tip into practice due to widespread hosepipe bans.‌One person said: "I can only dream of spraying water. Hosepipe ban here and my cucumbers have died, tomatoes on their last legs, dahlias outside barely growing. It's pretty tragic."Another quipped: "Love this. Monty, can you have a word with Severn Trent for me? They reckon there's no water."A third said: "Maybe not in a hosepipe ban. Get the water deep into the soil, keep the surface dry and the plants will reduce their water use."Article continues belowWhat is Monty Don known for?Monty Don first made his mark on television in 1989 with a regular gardening slot on This Morning, which opened the door to further opportunities across several channels.A prolific author, he has penned more than 25 books since his debut publication in 1990. In 2003, following a suggestion from Alan Titchmarsh, he stepped in as lead presenter on the hugely popular BBC programme, Gardeners' World.He has also written and produced a number of his own gardening series, including 2026's Monty Don's Rhineland Gardens.