Landscaping Ideas to Prevent Wildlife From Causing Damages In Your Garden

Your garden, with it’s variety of trees, shrubs and flowers, offers an all you can eat buffet for area wildlife. Clover, grass and certain types of flowers are favorites for rabbits. Fruit trees and some shrubbery will attract deer. Small branches of fruit trees are also a tasty treat for moose. Gophers are a major problem for many areas of the country as well.

Many gardeners are given no end of grief, by these and other animals that are constantly destroying what they have put so much work into. Here are some easy and cost effective methods for controlling some of this damage.

If you have apple trees, you are probably aware of how much deer enjoy them. If you place a deer feeder away from the area of your garden or trees, they may become less interested in them and stay away. Deer repellant sprays are also available and are quite effective. You can also deter deer from bothering your garden simply by choosing the right plants.

If you suspect that deer will be a problem in your area, you can choose from a variety of lovely plants that they will not be interested in. There are many flowering plants that deer tend to stay away from, such as geraniums, tansy, and daffodils. Other examples are thyme, myrtle, spearmint and other herbs.

Rabbits are fond of many plants and flowers, but they can be discouraged by putting up a simple mesh fence. Chain link will not work, as most rabbits are able to squeeze through the openings.

A fence that is 18 inches high is usually sufficient, especially if there are other food sources nearby. To avoid the possibility of them digging under the fence, bury the bottom of the fence about a foot underground.

To provide them with an option other than your garden, plant a patch of clover away from the area of your other plants and flowers. You can also plant things in your garden that they are not fond of. Monks hood, hollyhock, aster, and borrage are attractive alternatives that should keep the rabbits away.

Gophers and moles are troublesome critters for many people around the country. You’ll be amazed at the damage a single gopher can do in just a few hours. If you suspect you have a gopher problem, you can bet there is more than just one. If you find round holes in the ground, sometimes with a mound of dirt, this is a good indication of the presence of a gopher. These holes will often be connected by tunnels under the ground.

Chemical repellants, vibration devices and traps are all useful for dealing with gophers.

A solution of Caster Oil has been known to deter gophers and other rodents. The solution is said to coat the roots of grass and plants when sprayed on those areas. When the gopher feeds on those roots, he will get a sour stomach and leave the area.

Some people use vibration devices, although it’s difficult to judge how well they work. The beep and vibration is designed to bother the gopher into leaving the area. The manufacturers recommend allowing two months to judge the results. The problem is, that after two months, the gophers may have left for other reasons and not because of the device. Gophers can do a lot of damage in two months.

There are traps available that will kill gophers. They resemble mouse traps, but are designed to clamp down on the middle of the gopher. These require some trial and error, and when they are successful, they leave a bit of a mess.

Other gopher traps are designed for catch and release. This can be quite time consuming, depending on the number of gophers you have. They are also quite destructive, as you have to dig holes and place them in the tunnels underground.

There is no fool proof technique for getting rid of all wildlife. By implementing some of the tools and methods above, you can greatly decrease the amount of damage done to your garden and lawn. It will also save you a lot of money later on.

         

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