Maintaining a beautiful garden can be incredibly rewarding and enjoyable, yet it may also draw in unwelcome guests. Local wildlife can cause significant damage to your plants if they're not effectively controlled. Here are some strategies for safeguarding your garden against these troublesome invaders in a natural way!
1. Install Barriers to Entry
One of the most effective ways to keep out unwanted animals is to install a fence around your garden. Make sure the fence is tall enough to deter jumping animals like deer and sturdy enough to prevent burrowing animals like rabbits from getting in. If you're finding holes in your garden beds you could be experiencing hungry neighbors burrowing underground such as mice, rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, skunks, voles, moles and raccoons. Consider installing gopher wire under your garden bed prior to planting season to avoid their in-ground approach. For overhead protection, nets generally offer decent coverage for trees and crops. Some may even go to the extent of installing wire above the garden for optimal coverage!
2. Use Natural Repellents
There are many natural repellents available that can help keep predators away from your garden. Consider experimenting with the following solutions that can be found at your local garden center:
- Lavender: repels mosquitos, moths and fleas.
- Rosemary: shields from ticks, mosquitos and carrot fleas.
- Garlic and Mint: deters rats and mice.
- Rose of Sharon Tree: known to be deer resistant.
- Predator Urines: spraying the urine of predators like foxes, coyotes, and bobcats around the permeator of your garden can deter smaller mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, and voles.
- Hot Pepper Spray: keeps many animals away, specifically deer, rabbits and squirrels.
3. Scare Tactics
Scare tactics can also be effective in keeping predators at bay. Try using scarecrows, motion-activated sprinklers or lights, ultrasonic sound repellent, or even hanging shiny objects like CDs to prevent birds and other animals from entering your garden.
4. Secure Other Feeding Sources
Compost bins can attract all sorts of critters, so make sure yours is secure. Use a bin with a locking lid or consider installing a fence around it to prevent animals from getting into your compost pile.
By taking these precautions, you can enjoy a beautiful and thriving garden without the worry of local predators ruining your hard work. Cheers to pest-free gardening!
Citation:
“The Easy-Growing Tree That’s Deer-Resistant And Attracts Pollinators.” MSN, www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/the-easy-growing-tree-that-s-deer-resistant-and-attracts-pollinators/ar-BB1kPoWn?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=2125b3d589dc46d28526ac2338a348f5&ei=11. Accessed 9 May 2024.
“Flourishing Plants.” Flourishing Plants, 11 Dec. 2023, flourishingplants.com/holes-in-garden-bed/>.
