Bunnies, Birds, And Other Rodents We Want To Get Rid Of!
How To Keep Them Out Without Killing Them
Garden pests don’t always fall under the disgusting, weird, unpleasant looking insect category. Some of them are the cute and cuddly kind that myself, and many other would rather not see being killed on the highway, let alone in our own lawns or gardens. Not to mention, it’s also very environmentally conscious not to kill the wildlife in your area, for obvious reasons. Squirrels, moles, voles, rabbits, birds, and even deer, –especially deer, –can be major pests to an outdoor garden. But there are ways to deal with the problem of keeping them out without necessarily having to erect fences for your veggies, and hire security guards for your tomatoes.
Birds & Squirrels
One of the most obvious, and often most overlooked ways to keep birds from chewing down on your garden, is to set up a bird feeder. Bird feeders set up away from your garden, along with a bird bath, will keep birds from eating your precious seeds, and veggies in the garden. However, when setting up a bird feeder, you’ll notice that squirrels often love to pig out on the seeds there as well. Go ahead, and shop around for a squirrel proof bird-feeder. They eventually end up paying for themselves over time, and squirrels will quickly learn to just take what they can get off the ground.
Deer
Keeping deer out of your garden is paramount, not only because they’ll eat your plants, vegetables, and whatever else you might have growing there, but also because deers carry in deer ticks. And deer ticks carry Lyme disease; something you and your family don’t want to deal with. Rather than spend money constantly spraying deer repellents, or paying for expensive fencing, the simplest way would be to plant a border of bushes around your lawn, or garden area, which deer will not eat. Not only is this a more aesthetically pleasing alternative solution; it’s also less expensive. Northern sea oats, red osier dogwood, lavender, creeping juniper, yarrow, and dwarf aster are all attractive plants that deer will not eat. Consider these an alternative before taking more drastic measures to keeping deer out of your yard.
Moles & Voles
Many people don’t even know what voles are, and those that have heard of them, confuse them with moles. Voles are what we grew up calling ‘field mice’. Still the same thing to me, but just like moles, they can ruin your lawn. However, voles don’t leave raised runways through the yard, or little mountains of dirt. Voles actually leave very little evidence that they’re even there. Voles leave behind little pathways, where they’ve eaten grass, and worn away a little road through your lawn. There are measures you can take that will keep both pests off your lawn, and figuratively speaking, out of your hair. Keeping your lawn mowed regularly is an excellent way to keep voles from trafficking your grass. Keeping your garden weeded, and avoiding planting things such as creeping junipers, which make good hiding places for voles, are excellent preventative measures. Otherwise, look into humane pest traps, and for moles as well. Many mole traps are specifically designed to kill them, which I personally find kind of depressing, and have never used. Many states also prohibit the relocation of moles, after you’ve caught them, but I’ve never once encountered any legal issues when releasing moles, mice or any other pets in non-commercial or residential areas.
Wild Rabbits
Chicken wire is cheap, easy to put together, and the simplest way to keep rabbit from nibbling at vegetable, plants, and young bushes. To most effectively erect your chicken wire fence, you’ll need to dig a six to eight inch little trench around the perimeter. Pound wooden stakes on the inside of the trench. Meanwhile bend the lower edge of the chicken wire into the trench, creating an “L” shape. This will keep rabbits from tunneling under the fence. Then just staple the chicken wire to your stakes, and cover up the trench firmly with soil. The best repellant for rabbits, is fresh soiled cat litter. Pouring it along the perimeter of your garden once a week will keep a rabbit from coming near your plants.
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