Animal and Garden Pest Control
Got garden pests? We all do. Isn't it time to do something about it? We thought
so............
Like many homeowners, growing vegetables and flowers is a great joy. You
put great love and care into growing your plants. You spend countless hours
tending your plants, weeding them, and providing just the right amount of
water and fertilizer. They respond to your love and coaxing. Then,
just as things seem perfect, along comes an animal or garden pest eager to
make a free meal out of your garden.
If you're growing a garden, chances are you'll spend a fair amount
of time and energy fending off animal and pest "free loaders". Some gardeners,
and especially new gardeners, experience so many problems with wildlife,
that they give up gardening. Or, they curtail their hobby to just a few plants
that the area wildlife do not seem to bother.
Detailed below are some great ideas to help you with animal and pest control.
So, read on..............
Romaine lettuce damaged by deer or rabbits.
Controlling Deer
Controlling Rabbits
Controlling Birds
Controlling Moles and Voles
Are Deer, Bunnies or Birds feasting on your plants?
Brunch time is over.....period!
Buy the Buffet Buster now!
General Suggestions:
First Step: Install a three to four foot rabbit fence. The close netting
will keep out the rabbits and other small animals who can slip between normally
wide fencing. Don't be surprised though to find a few small and energetic
bunnies who learned to jump up and through the wider spacing towards the
top. The enemy is stealthy. Deer can jump a fence, or simply step over a
short one. If you have plants that deer enjoy, raise the pole vault by taking
clothesline or rope and tying it five to six feet above ground over the fence.
This may require higher stakes.
Step Two: Frequently check the bottom of the fence for spots where
an animal can crawl under. Fortify these weak points. Consider rimming the
fence with boards or bricks to deter animals from digging under the
fence.
Step Three: There are a variety of products at your local garden store
that produce varying degrees of success. These include concentrated urine
from fox and other carnivore animals that are natural predators to garden
munching animals. Some suggest that garlic and blood meal will also deter
some animals. Hot pepper sprays can also deter pests.
Step Four: Set out "Have-a-heart" or "Live Traps". These traps capture
small animals without harming them. They then can be transferred to another
location and released far from your garden. If you pursue this option, it
is very important that you check local rules and regulations for trapping,
transporting and release of wild animals. Some communities allow homeowners
to trap the animals, but insist upon removal and release by an animal control
agent.
Step Five: Consider a cat. They do a great job keeping rabbits
and other small animals away.
A Better Mouse Trap- Actually, the old fashioned mouse trap is difficult
to improve upon from a standpoint of effectiveness. And it is environmentally
friendly. What makes it work is the right bait. Perhaps the best bait is
peanut butter. Mouse traps are easily used in sheds and under woodpiles.
For use in the garden, we recommend they be covered by a five gallon bucket
or box. This offers some protection to domestic animals and kids from
accidentally getting hurt.
Many have asked: Unfortunately, there are few ways to keep those cute
little chipmunks from becoming caught in these traps.
Poison Baits: While you almost never see the dead rodent, manufacturers
claim these poison baits are very effective. Your only proof is a decline
of rodent activity. If you do not want to deal with disposal of the carcass,
this may be the answer for you. Also note these poisons are not good for
the environment or your health. If you use them, do not put them inside a
vegetable garden. Very importantly, keep it out of reach of young
children.
Gas Bombs: A gas bomb can be effective in eliminating rodents. Like
poisons, it is not environmentally friendly and you usually don't see the
results. It takes work to set up and is only effective if the rodents are
in the tunnels.
There are a number of other methods. Some of which emit a high pitch sound
to discourage the pests from your yard. But this only causes them to move
somewhere else...perhaps to your neighbor's yard. And, the move may only
be temporary.
Ye '''olde Scarecrow: Some people actually do claim limited success
with scaring birds away. Even if they afford little deterrence, scarecrows
are a neat visual addition to your garden.
Noise makers: Birds are skittish. A little noise goes a long way in
scaring them off. Common noisemakers include aluminum pans (an increasingly
rare commodity in a microwave society), wind chimes, and tape recordings
of bird predators.
Replicas of Natural Enemies: Plastic and inflatable owls and snakes
can sometimes fool the birds. However, we believe you can fool some of the
birds all of the time, all of the birds some of the time, but you can't fool
all of the birds all of the time.
More Information:
Pests
in the Garden
Bird Netting / Garden Netting - Why let the birds
eat all those plump Blueberries?
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