To keep rabbits and squirrels out of your garden, you need to implement a combination of barriers, repellents, and strategic plant choices. These small critters may seem harmless, but they can wreak havoc on your carefully cultivated plants and vegetables. By following some effective strategies, you can enjoy a thriving, pest-free garden year-round.
Understanding the Problem
Rabbits and squirrels are notorious for damaging gardens. These animals can:
- Chew through plant stems, leaves, and vegetables
- Dig up bulbs and plants
- Steal fruits and nuts
Understanding their behaviors and patterns can help you devise an effective plan to deter them from your garden.
Barriers to Keep Rabbits and Squirrels Out of Your Garden
One of the most reliable ways to keep rabbits and squirrels out of your garden is by creating physical barriers. Here are some suggestions:
- Fencing: Erect a chicken wire fence with small openings around your garden. The fence should be at least 2 feet high and buried about 6 inches underground to prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath.
- Netting: Use netting to cover plants, particularly those that produce fruits and vegetables. Ensure the netting is secured tightly around the plants.
- Plant Covers: Individual plant covers or cloches can protect specific plants, herbs, and flowers from being eaten.
Repellents Effective Against Rabbits and Squirrels
Repellents can be a useful tool to keep rabbits and squirrels out of your garden. Several natural and commercial products can deter these pests:
- Natural Repellents: Create a homemade spray using garlic, hot pepper, or vinegar. Spray this mixture around the perimeter of your garden and on plants subjected to damage.
- Commercial Repellents: Purchase commercially available rabbit and squirrel repellents. These typically contain predator urine or other scents that these animals find unattractive.
- Plants that Repel: Planting marigolds, lavender, and other plants that rabbits and squirrels find distasteful can help deter them from your garden.
Choosing the Right Plants
Another strategy to keep rabbits and squirrels out of your garden is selecting plants that are less attractive to these critters:
- Unpalatable Plants: Grow plants that rabbits and squirrels dislike, such as daffodils, onions, and garlic.
- Prickly Plants: Plants like lantana and barberries have sharp thorns that can deter animals.
- Aromatic Herbs: Herbs such as rosemary, sage, and mint can repel both rabbits and squirrels due to their strong scents.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Integrating a few more strategies into your gardening routine can help ensure your efforts to keep rabbits and squirrels out of your garden are successful:
- Remove Food Sources: Clean up fallen fruits and nuts from the ground to eliminate additional food sources for these animals.
- Keep Bird Feeders Away: Position bird feeders away from your garden to avoid attracting squirrels.
- Add Motion Detectors: Install motion-activated sprinklers or lights to scare away approaching animals.
Get Professional Help
Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, it can be challenging to keep rabbits and squirrels out of your garden. That’s where professional services come in.
Salen’s Landscaping, established in 1985, has a proven track record in delivering high-quality, customized landscaping solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Their expert team specializes in:
- Custom Patio Covers – Alumawood, Durawood, Redwood, etc.
- Custom Masonry Work
- Artificial Turf and Putting Green Installation
- Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems
- Solid and Perforated (French) Drainage Systems
By hiring Salen’s Landscaping, you can benefit from their extensive experience and commitment to quality, ensuring that your garden remains free from unwanted pests while looking beautiful. Consider reaching out to them to explore how they can help you protect and enhance your garden space.
For further reading about gardening and techniques against animal pests, you may find useful information on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardening).