HORSEHEADS, N.Y. ( WETM Spring has arrived, bringing with it new growth as well as an increase in the appetites of local animals.
If your garden starts resembling a wild feast rather than a tranquil escape, Chad Moore, the VP of Banfield-Baker Corporation, mentioned that there are methods to deter specific pests.
"Moore indicated that deer likely top the list, followed by rabbits and woodchucks. He also mentioned that squirrels, chipmunks, which dig up plants and feed on them, as well as mice, can cause damage," he added.
Moore advised that to prevent wildlife from making your efforts in the garden their next snack, the initial step is identifying which creature you're up against since specific repellents tend to be more effective for particular animals.
Typically, when dealing with deer, you'll need to enclose your entire area completely," Moore stated. "A higher fence is generally required; typically, this means at least seven feet high since they can leap over anything shorter." He added, "Should you encounter issues with woodchucks burrowing beneath the fence or rabbits squeezing through, adding an additional underground barrier might be necessary to prevent them from entering.
Moore suggested that a physical obstacle such as fencing or wire mesh would be most effective at keeping creatures like deer and woodchucks away, but he highlighted that fencing is not the sole solution. Other repellents can also be considered.
"There are several deterrents. These methods are entirely natural and won’t harm your garden plants or any other vegetation," Moore stated. "We offer various options such as Repels-All and another product named Deer Scram," he added.
Moore suggested using Repels-All and Deer Scram as effective deterrents, since these products aim to render your garden odorless for critters without harming the plants.
Although certain gardeners believe that mulch could deter wildlife, Moore stated that this possibility is quite slim.
A more efficient natural deterrent is the dried blood mentioned by Moore, known as blood meal. This fertilizer has a scent that mimics predators, which frightens off deer and other animals that feed on gardens.
Therefore, even though your garden might seem like a five-star restaurant for wildlife, you can close off the dining hall with some strategic planning.
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