How to Keep Pets Out of Mulch
Pets love to dig and play, but when they get into mulch it is destructive to the garden and can be dangerous to the pet. Some mulch components, like cocoa beans, are toxic when dogs eat them. In order to keep pets out of mulch they need to be restrained and taught not to enter the garden. Chicken wire spread under the mulch works as a training method for dogs because the dogs do not like the sensation of the wire on their paws when they dig. A temporary fence can be erected to slow dogs down when they try to get into the garden. A determined dog can get under, over or through most fences, so the fence works together with the chicken wire. Cats dig in the mulch and use it as a litter box, which can be harmful to plants and is undesirable where food is grown. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Chicken wire
- Wire cutters
- Large rocks
- Temporary fencing
- Temporary fence stakes
- Zip ties
- Metal clips
Instructions
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Dogs
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1
Cut chicken wire to fit the garden. The wire should fit the garden or extend over but not be smaller than the garden. Use wire cutters and measure the garden before cutting. If the garden is large or intricate, with many perennials, use chicken wire on the outside edges.
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2
Lay the chicken wire over the garden and secure the edges by laying large rocks on them or pounding in tent pegs.
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3
Plant your garden as usual. Put the plants inbetween the holes in the chicken wire so they don't grow up into the wire. Each hole will be big enough for the stem of at least one plant.
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4
Erect a fence around the garden by pounding stakes into the ground every 3 feet. Unroll the fencing and secure it to the stakes using zip ties. Continue all the way around the garden. Cut the remaining fencing with wire cutters once it is finished. Use clips instead of zip ties to secure the last section. This will allow you to enter the garden.
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5
Spread mulch over the garden once the plants are established.
Cats
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6
Use motion-activated sprinklers to keep cats out of the mulch. The sprinklers will turn on when the cat is nearby.
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7
Cut up citrus peels and place them around the edge of the garden and in the mulch. Cats do not like the smell of citrus and will avoid the mulch because of the smell. Citrus peels lose their potency over time and will need to be replaced.
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8
Place mothballs around the edge of the garden once the mulch is in place. Cats will avoid them because of the smell. Mothballs need frequent replacement, especially after it rains.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Mothballs are potentially harmful to cats and dogs. Check with a vet first to ensure using them will be okay in your situation.
Motion-activated sprinklers can't tell the difference between a cat and a human. Be aware of where you're walking if you install these sprinklers.
Do not use chemical treatments such as mothballs around food.
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images
