How to Keep Unwanted Animals Out of Your Garden
A garden takes a lot of time, work and energy. For spring flowers or an abundant harvest of homegrown veggies, gardeners must dedicate hours of time and there's nothing so frustrating as finding your efforts have been destroyed. Whether it's hungry squirrels munching everything in sight or a mole in search of worms, keeping animals away is of vital importance. Many unwanted animals can be repelled by simple means, without harsh chemicals or cruel traps that injure and kill, keeping your garden safe. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fencing
- Blood meal
- Motion detector sprinkler
- Citrus peels
- Coffee grounds
- Peppermint oil
Instructions
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Install a sturdy fence to keep animals out of your garden and lawn. Fences are ideal for keeping away rabbits and moles, though they can also keep out troublesome cats and dogs. Encircle the perimeter of your garden, or property as a whole, with a chicken wire fence. Ensure that it goes 6 inches to 1 foot underground, which prevents animals from digging under it, according to the Veggie Gardener website.
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Sprinkle blood meal throughout the garden to repel unwanted visitors with its fetid odor. Made from dried animal blood, blood meal may seem unpleasant, but serves its purpose well in the garden by keeping deer, squirrels, rabbits and other rodents away. Blood meal can also be used as fertilizer; it will naturally infuse the soil with nitrogen. It is also particularly helpful for sites of repeated plantings, like vegetable gardens. Be wary, though, because blood meal may attract meat-eating animals like dogs.
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Use safe, but effective, tactics to keep cats out of your garden. Install motion-activated sprinklers to scare cats away, as suggested on the Neighborhood Cats website. When the motion sensor detects movement, it releases a spray of water that scares cats and eventually trains them not to enter the area. Various natural substances, like citrus fruit peels, coffee grounds and peppermint oil, emit scents that cats find unpleasant and can also be placed in a garden to keep them out.
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Provide moles with a feast of worms to distract them from the garden. Moles can be difficult to fight, so consider giving them exactly what they want in order to keep them under control. Place a large mound of cow manure on a patch of land away from the garden and allow it to sit and attract worms. Dozens of the tiny creature will flock to the site, luring moles away from the garden to partake in a wormy feast, according to the Seattle PI.
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References
Resources
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