Protecting Your Garden from Animal Intruders

Animal intruders may eat whatever crop you choose to grow. It can be frustrating to go to your garden one day and discover that your crop has been decimated by that cute little rabbit or deer that has found a nutritious and convenient source of food. Avoid using chemical animal repellents as the ingredients in many of these are of questionable safety.

A garden, with is diverse selection of crisp green plants and tender shoots, seems to attract a host of intruders--especially game and rodents. The tasty vegetables you are trying to grow may fall victim to rats, mice, moles, rabbits and even pets that live in your area.

The simplest solution to the problem of animal intruders is to place a fence around your garden. If rabbits, rats, moles or cats and dogs are a problem, a three foot tall fence should do the trick. For deer, make the fence four to six feet tall. Make sure the fence is sturdy enough to keep out the deer. Hang streamers of brightly colored ribbon along the top of the fence to make it more visible. Avoid using traps. These invariably injure or even kill the intruders. The idea is to deter invasive species while, at the same time, avoiding harm or destruction to animals that are a part of the environment.

Fencing materials come in a variety of sizes and materials. Cedar, bamboo, metal and plastic fencing materials are available from your local building supply store. These protect your garden and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. There are also molded fences that are lightweight and easy to install.These molded fences are often made to look like wrought iron. Whatever type fence you choose to install, be sure the fence it is well anchored to protect it from high winds.

Another novel way to protect your garden from animals is with a scarecrow sprinkler. This device is rigged with a motion detector and garden hose. When an animal comes near the garden, the motion detector triggers a sprinkler that squirts a stream of water. The water frightens the animal away. After a while, most deer and rabbits avoid the area altogether. This device is available online and from your local garden supply store or online. Just do an internet search for "scarecrow sprinkler."

With a little forethought, your should be able to successfully grow your vegetables while being environmentally conscious. After all, animals and insects are a part of the environment, too, and their existence should be taken into consideration when you grow your crops. Be environmentally conscious and use safe methods to prevent attacks by animal intruders.

Sources:
http://www.doityourself.com
http://www.hobbyfarms.com
http://www.gardenguides.com
http://astore.amazon.com/buiaweb-20