For many of us, spring and summer are the seasons to pursue a passion: digging in the dirt, sowing seeds, and tending our gardens. For many wild animals, spring and summer are times to enjoy something else: the sweetness of a fresh tomato or sunflower seeds. While some folks welcome wildlife into their yards, some gardeners are understandably perturbed when hungry critters view their plantings as all-you-can-eat buffets.
General information
The MSPCA has several humane, cost-effective suggestions for keeping your wild neighbors away.
Important note: Please remember that in Massachusetts it is ILLEGAL to relocate wildlife — for the protection and well-being of both wildlife and people. Click here to learn why.
Species-specific tips
Woodchucks: Using novel stimuli often encourages unwanted groundhogs to leave your lawn and garden. Scarecrows, balloons, pinwheels, or a tethered beach ball in the area they are disturbing that blows in the wind can help to deter them. Visiting your garden often and mowing long grasses can also help. Specific plants can be protected by sprinkling them with Epsom salts and reapplying after every rain or covering them with fabric or gallon jugs with the bottoms removed. You can also try placing rags soaked in ammonia on posts placed at intervals around the garden perimeter. The odor is enough to deter most unwanted visitors. The rags must be re-soaked when the smell of ammonia fades. Because the ammonia fumes can harm animals’ lungs, take care not to use it within two feet of where the animals may come into contact, especially where there might be babies.
For a more permanent solution, erect a three- to four-foot high wire fence around the garden, leaving it loose and flexible to prevent animals from climbing it. Since woodchucks are excellent burrowers, also bury the fence about a foot underground and, if possible, bend it in an L-shape so that burrowing animals will encounter the fence when digging down and forward toward the garden. If the animals are persistent, the placement of hot shot wire (low-voltage electric fencing) four to six inches above the ground and at the top of the fence will prevent them from climbing up and over the fence.
Learn more about woodchucks.
Chipmunks and Squirrels: Spring flowers and growing buds are often eaten by chipmunks and squirrels as the weather warms, and in the summer they often eat fruits and berries. Bulbs can be protected by soaking them in certain repellents before planting, by planting them below wire or plastic screening, or by surrounding the area with a plant-free gravel border. Spraying repellents on ornamental plants can also help deter inquisitive animals. Wrapping ripening fruit trees with netting and using various squirrel-proof bird feeders can also keep them away. Most bird supply centers sell these types of feeders.
Learn more about chipmunks and squirrels.
Raccoons: The same fencing mentioned for woodchucks also usually works to deter raccoons. Another tactic is using radios, lights, and sprinklers in the late afternoon and evening, times when these critters are likely to raid your garden.
Planting taller varieties of corn with squash plants surrounding them will also deter the raccoons because they don’t like walking on prickly squash vines.
Learn more about raccoons.
Birds: A common tactic is to play audio recordings of predators or birds in distress. You might also try netting made of high-tensile woven wire when the fruits of your labor are ripening. If you’re looking for an easier but higher maintenance solution, try draping cheesecloth over your bushes.
Learn more about birds.
Rabbits: Many varieties of fencing effectively exclude rabbits, including those made of chicken wire. Tree protectors can also help. Repellents with the active ingredients thiram or capsaicin (hot cayenne pepper extract) can be applied to plants that are not intended for human consumption.
Learn more about rabbits.
Moles: To deter tunneling moles, bury hardware cloth at least a foot deep around your garden, ideally in an L-shape. Castor oil-based repellents also dissuade moles without causing any harm to them or your garden. Improving soil drainage or flooding their tunnels with water is also effective, because moles don’t like moist areas.
For all wildlife species entering your garden, think about what you might be doing to attract them inadvertently. Certain plants naturally attract some animal species. Nurseries can often recommend the best plants for your situation and suggest repellants.
Remember, mitigating wildlife conflicts is ongoing work. No one solution is likely to be 100% effective, and you will probably need to do some trial and error to figure out what works best for your situation. And above all, a tolerant attitude can go a long way.
Additional information:
