Guard Your Yard from Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels, and Other Pesky Wildlife Creatures
Gardening is a rewarding hobby, until you find your hard-earned crops devoured by the local wildlife. I've had my fair share of lost plants to deer, rabbits, and squirrels, and I've learned the hard way how to keep these critters out. Here are some helpful tips to help you protect your garden from unwanted visitors.
Deer
Deer can wreak havoc on your garden, so it's essential to take action before they damage your crops. A deer fence is the best solution. Don't rely on deer repellents alone as they require frequent application. A 7 1/2′-8′ deer fence is recommended, as deer can't see above this height, making it less likely for them to jump over the fence.
Rabbits
Rabbits are a close second to deer in terms of being garden pests. They particularly like feasting on seedlings in the spring and juicy fruits like cantaloupe in the summer. Unfortunately, rabbits can chew through plastic fencing, so it's best to have a metal fence that's trenched into the ground to prevent burrowing. A three-foot fence should be enough to keep rabbits at bay. To prevent burrowing, bury the fence about six to twelve inches deep.
Squirrels
Squirrels are another problem in the garden. They climb and chew and can get through small holes. To keep squirrels out, you'll want a metal fence enclosure that prevents them from jumping down into the garden or chewing through the material. This enclosure will also keep out deer and rabbits.
Other Wildlife
The metal fence that's trenched into the ground for rabbits will also help to prevent groundhogs and voles. For raccoons, a garden enclosure will be required.
Homemade Wildlife Deterrents
There are numerous old tales that gardeners will share to keep wildlife out of their gardens. However, the effectiveness of these methods can be hit and miss. Here are a few that you might find useful:
- Tin Pans: Hanging tin pans above your garden is said to scare deer away, but deer may eventually get used to them.
- Irish Spring Soap: Irish Spring soap is supposed to deter deer due to its smell and taste, but it dissolves in the rain and would need to be reapplied frequently.
- Battery-Operated Radio: Putting out a radio and letting it play at night might work to scare deer away as they might think there are people around. However, deer will eventually realize that there aren't people in the garden.
Fool-Proof Wildlife Protection
While some homemade deterrents may work for a while, the only fool-proof way to protect your garden from wildlife is by erecting a fence. Using multiple methods, such as fencing, sensory deterrents, and plant selection, provides the best results. Be consistent in your applications or repositioning deterrents, and adapt your methods as wildlife may become accustomed to certain deterrents over time.
Do you have any tips for keeping critters out of your garden? Share them with us!
Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]
A podcast focused on gardening might offer tips for protecting your garden from deer, rabbits, and squirrels. Garden printables could include diagrams for constructing deer, rabbit, and squirrel-proof fences. While gardeninglifestyle might suggest various homemade wildlife deterrents, home-and-garden experts often recommend a combination of fencing, sensory deterrents, and strategic plant selection for effective wildlife protection.
