Melinda’s Gardening How-To: Deterring Wildlife Pests

If you are battling with rabbits, deer, groundhogs, or other wildlife– don’t give up!  Arm yourself with options…

FENCING
– Rabbits: Use a 4 ft. tall fence that is anchored tightly to the ground. This height will keep out most rabbits. Make sure garden gates are also secured.
– Deer: A 4-5 ft. tall fence surrounding small garden areas will often keep out deer. They seem to avoid  small confined spaces. The larger the area, the more likely deer will enter. Strands of fishing line set at 12-in. and 36- in. seems to keep deer at bay.
– Woodchucks are more difficult. They will dig under or climb over the fence. You must place the fence at least 12-in. below the soil surface with 4 – 5 ft. above the ground.

SCARE TACTICS
– Motion sensitive sprinklers: The passing deer activate the sprinklers and a blast of water will scare deer away.
– Mini scarecrow is a motion sensitive device that can be set at any height depending on the animals you are trying to deter. It operates with a horn and compressed air. Talk to your family and neighbors first before employing this noisy option.
-Posts powered by batteries and baited with a deer attractant give deer a light shock and helps to keep them away.
– Owls, rubber snakes, clanging pans and shiny CD’s strategically placed throughout the landscape. Alternate and move these items to increase chance of success.

REPELLENTS
Apply before the animals start feeding for better results.
– Commercial repellents applied as needed throughout the growing season

 -Always read and follow label directions.
-Make sure they are labeled for food crops before treating fruits and vegetables.

Homemade repellents
– Cayenne pepper: Wear goggles and gloves when applying
–Handful of human hair in old nylon stocking, slivers of strongly scented soap, cheap smelly votive candles placed throughout the garden.
– Avoid using rotten egg based repellents on food plants

ANIMAL RESISTANT PLANTS
These plants alone are not 100% effective. If animal populations are large and food is scarce, wildlife will eat just about anything.

– Check the plant tags and search the internet for listings of wildlife resistant plants.
– Create a predator-friendly habitat.
– Owls and hawks are just a few of the predators that help to reduce the rabbit, ground squirrel, and chipmunk populations.

DISCOURAGE WILDLIFE FROM MOVING IN.
Planting a garden provides a buffet for wildlife. But, modifying the environment may help reduce the problem.
– Eliminate brush piles, tall grass and wood piles where rabbits and plant eating rodents like to hide
– Place outdoor pet food and water dishes inside at night… away from raccoons.

EVALUATE and ADJUST on an ONGOING BASIS.
– Check the effectiveness of any strategy you select.
– Vary repellents and scare tactics to increase success.
– Urban wildlife is used to the sound and scent of humans.  Some of these tips may not be successful in every situation.
– Animals often become used to the sound, motion or scent of repellents and scare tactics and will begin to feed in the landscape.
– Consider using a combination of tactics.

PLAN AHEAD and DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN.
A lack of damage this season does not mean you won’t have problems over winter and next year.
– Weather conditions can influence the animal population and subsequent damage
– The larger the animal population, the more likely damage will occur
– Wildlife often change feeding locations from year to year.

DON’T GIVE UP.  KEEP PLANTING. 
If you are a gardener – you are an optimist by nature. With a bit of persistence and planning, you can grow a beautiful landscape… despite the hungry wildlife.