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If you’re the proud owner of a well-landscaped home in the country, then you know all too well the frustrations of garden wildlife. Nothing is more discouraging than planting a beautiful bed of petunias only to wake up one morning to find them nibbled to death.
Destruction of property isn’t the only damage that unwelcome wildlife in your landscape can cause. When wild animals sneak into your yard, they can also carry diseases and deliver germ-laden ticks and fleas right to your front door.
Your yard is a prime target for wild animals since it has all the good stuff they love – water, plenty of food, and shelter on a cold, rainy night.
Here are some of the things you could do to handle wildlife in your landscape and prevent them from damaging your property:
For country homes, the biggest wildlife concerns are generally deer, raccoons, and rabbits. A simple, sturdy physical barrier can get the job done in a weekend. Many people opt to add a high fence to their yard and have enjoyed great success with this method.
Surround the entire perimeter of your yard with fencing material and ensure there are no openings or visible holes during installation. You can use a range of materials for perimeter fencing – chain link, plastic mesh, wire, or wood are all great options. If you opt for wood, select a pre-treated style that can withstand moisture efficiently. You can also utilize the existing trees in your yard as natural posts for your fence to add character to your landscaping and save money in the process.
Pesticides are another method for fighting wildlife in your yard. If you choose to go this route, buy products specifically designated as “animal repellants” and don’t use random household items such as mothballs in your yard. This could potentially pollute or kill your plants, and if you have edibles in your yard, you could possibly become sick from consuming them as well.
In addition, if it’s unusually hot and dry outside, consider keeping water dishes and fountains to a minimum. A scarce water supply attracts pests, so don’t leave standing water anywhere in your yard. If you have a birdbath, however, place it high above the ground. Birdseed from feeders is a prime target for wild creatures, so store your seed inside your home or garage and check often for stray birdseed on the ground below your feeder.
Garbage is another biggie. In woodsy areas, this not only attracts deer and raccoons – bears could come sniffing around your home, too. To combat this, keep your garbage in a tightly sealed container that wild animals cannot knock over or easily open. Store it in an out-of-reach area close to your home.
These rules are easy to implement. If you prepare your yard and work these suggestions into your daily routine, you will get your wildlife problem under control and begin to enjoy your yard more fully.
