They're cute but troublesome

Raccoons dig and climb trees in search for food.

​Food is scarce during the winter so it’s no surprise that rabbits, raccoons and other critters trespass into gardens in search of something to eat. When there is a lack of food, they’ll eat practically anything. It’s infuriating, but they are just trying to survive. In spring, they are have their young to feed. Even thorns and prickles won’t deter them. ​

Rabbits love to nibble on the fresh new tulip leaves.

Rabbits love tender new foliage, but aren't so picky when they are hungry.

Many animals dig in the garden in search for buried treasure such as nuts & bulbs.

There are numerous ways to keep animals at bay. It’s recommended to combine numerous methods to cover all your bases. Visit your garden often to ensure which methods work and which ones don’t and keep switching things out. Critters are not just furry faces, they are pretty smart too.
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There are numerous animal deterrent and they include barriers, visual deterrents and repellants including store-bought, homemade and there’s other tricks and tips.  

Don't be fooled by a pretty face, cats use gardens as their litter box and playground.

The cats used this tree as a scratching post, until it was covered in mesh.

​Barriers: Animals are attracted to the tender twigs and bark of young trees and shrubs. Protect bark with tree bark wrap, chicken wire with least 1/2 or 1-inch mesh, snow fence or metal mesh. Keep them a few inches away from the bark to prevent rubbing and girdling. 

Protect plants with 1/2 or 1-inch sized mesh. Avoid thin mesh as wee legs become tangled.

Beacon Hill Park in Victoria uses netting to keep birds and critters from feasting on the plants above ground & from digging up bulbs below ground.

Deer feed on the lower portion of evergreens, such as cedar hedges, as they can’t reach any higher than four feet, therefore all barriers should be at least four feet tall. To deter rabbits, surround plants with a chicken wire cage at least 2 feet high so they can’t hop over – as bunnies tend to do.  Firm the base of the cage by burying it in the ground to stop them from burrowing under the fence.

Reflective tape. Click on pic to be redirected.

Place deterrents at the garden entrance and beyond.

Pinwheels deter critters especially shiny ones.

Visual Deterrents: Protect the garden with shiny things such as old CDs hung from trees, shiny, metallic ribbons & pinwheels (check out dollar stores). Place them at entrances to the garden, gates, arbours, add strips of aluminium foil between stakes and along fences. Keep switching the flashy items around as they catch on eventually. Owl statues and rubber snakes are also good scare tactics for many types of critters. 

Deers are real dears but they become a pest when food is scarce.

Deers have nibbled the lower 4 feet of this hedge.

Protect trees with a four foot fence, no lower.

Repellants: Apply repellents as soon as possible after you see any nibbled plants. When purchasing repellants read the instructions, cautions and which animals they repel. Opt for ones that are rain and snow resistant to reduce the need to reapply. 

Hang shiny cd's in trees and around the garden.

Squirrels are so smart they keep gardeners on their toes.

​Homemade repellants: Reapply often and after rain or snow. Filter the following solutions through a fine mesh such as pantyhose so they are easier to spray. Once filtered, pour into a spray bottle and apply to  susceptible plants.
#1. Mix in a blender 2 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 dashes (no more) or Sriracha hot chili sauce. Add 2 to 3 cups of water and blend.
#2. In 5 cups of water, mix in a teaspoon of castile liquid soap, 2 tablespoons of garlic powder and 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper.
#3. Big Batches of deterrent: to one gallon of water mix in 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, 1 egg, ½ cup of milk.
#4. Into a 1-gallon jug with a lid such as an empty mild jug, add water, 5 crushed garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Shake the container briskly then place outside in direct sun for two days.  If it’s freezing outside place the solution inside on a warm sunny windowsill. 

Human hair also repels animals in the garden.

Hang Irish Spring or Zest soap around the garden.

Soap: Hang bars of Irish Spring or Zest soap in trees. Make the soap go further by using a vegetable peeler to remove strips from the soap. Wrap the pieces in cheese cloth and place around the garden.
Human hair: Animals avoid humans, and rightfully so. There is no need to get a haircut, just visit hair salons as they have lots of clean hair to give to you. Spread the clipping around the garden (they are also a good source of nitrogen btw) or place them in pantyhose and hang from trees.
Sound repellants: Ultrasonic repellants are electronic devices that emit a high-pitched sound and vibration that may deter insects and animals such as rats and rabbits. The jury is still out on this method as success is limited. They may also cause distress to guinea pigs and hamsters. Although cat and dogs can hear the noise, they don’t seem to be bothered by it. 

Lantana

Marigolds

Chili Pepper 'Habanero Orange'

​Stinky Plants: To deter animals from feeding on vulnerable plants, protect them by growing the following plants around them: garlic, basil, rhubarb, hot peppers, spicy basil, mint, marigold, bog salvia (S. uliginosa) and lantana.