How to Repel Animals From the Garden

Scarecrows can help protect your garden.

When your garden starts producing delicious, vine-ripened fruits and vegetables, you're not the only one who'll notice. Animals scouring for food from the air, underground and on land threaten your prize crops of all varieties. Most gardeners want to protect their produce without causing unnecessary harm to the animals or the environment, so finding a way to fight each season's invasion presents a challenge.

Things You'll Need

• Rabbit or chicken wire
• Wooden stakes
• Zip ties
• Wind chimes
• Scarecrow
• Tin plates

Instructions

1. Install a fence. Measure the perimeter of your garden area and buy the appropriate length of rabbit or chicken wire. Place wooden stakes 3 to 4 feet apart and secure the rabbit wire to the wooden stakes with two zip ties each. Check for weak spots that small animals can crawl under. If you seek protection against burrowing creatures, Project Wildlife recommends burying the fence 6 inches below ground. Check frequently for holes and secure any weak spots.

   Electric fencing is also effective but can be expensive and difficult to maintain. Use thick electric cord instead of small electric string to ensure durability.

2. Use scents if a fence doesn't work for you. Look for concentrated fox and other natural predators' urine at your local garden store. Garlic and hot pepper sprays are also effective in deterring wild animals. Line the outside area of the garden, or just place scents heavily in each corner, depending on the strength of the fragrance.

3. Employ sounds to discourage skittish night creatures. Try tin plates hung together or secured on the ground around the perimeter of your garden. Wind chimes are an attractive addition to your garden that also scare away pests.

4. Add some traditional visual effects to your garden with scarecrows and decoy predators. While this imitation intimidation doesn't work for all types of animals, flying scavengers are usually averted for a while. Changing the decoy's location will confuse the animals and prolong the decoy's effectiveness.

5. Plant herbs, spices and other local plants that animals don't like to eat. Lavender and sage are good repellents and rewarding additions to your garden. Call your local county extension office for a list of plants that will work for the animals in your area.

6. Purchase animal-friendly "live traps" that don't kill or maim the intruders. Research the laws in your area to find out whether you must call animal services to remove and release the animal.

7. Consider getting a cat. Cats are natural predators to many garden enemies. Keep larger animals at bay with a dog.

Tips & Warnings

• Call your local county extension office to ask for advice and any services it may offer for getting rid of animals in your area.

• Avoid using harmful toxic chemicals as you may inadvertently poison other pets and even crops.

• Do not attempt to release dangerous animals; always call your local animal control center to deal with the animals in the appropriate manner.

References

• Gardener's Network
• Garden Guides

Resources

• Reader's Digest