How do I prevent Rabbitts, Groundhog and Deer from eating my plants ?

Answer 1

Boy, have you asked the $64,000 dollar question. We have lived in the southwest desert for many years and have tried to follow the best advice available -- nursery experts, Sunset gardening book, extension service -- we've even taken the "Master Gardeners Course." The answer is this: What works one year may not work the next, depending on such factors as available natural foliage, water conditions, animal population explosions, etc. Right now we are in a severe drought period. I tried to look at our property (the two acres near the house is pretty well planted with exotic desert type annuals and perennials) the way a rabbit would view it. I walked out to our property line and got down on my stomach and "thought like a rabbit" as I gazed over the lush planting beds between me and the house. It became clear suddenly when a large neon sign made an arch over our entire property "FARMERS MARKET OPEN NIGHTLY". We are currently the CARE package for the entire Sonoran desert it seems. Now what was your question . . . . .?

Following is some things we have tried that have worked pretty well, or not so well:

Deer: The little bars of complimentary soaps from hotel rooms tied to the branches of trees (one per tree) seems to have a repelling effect. A product called Liquid Fence has worked for my wife's sister who lives near Philadelphia. We have two dogs who live outside and don't chase the deer, but their barking does seem to keep them away from the house.

Rabbits: We have three kinds -- cottontail, black tail jackrabbits, and antelope jacks. Standing up, the antelope jacks can reach leaves, flowers, fruit 36-40 inches above their head, so that eliminates a lot of kinds of fence bariers you might try. One of your answerers suggested moth balls. We have found that these will work for a while, but the rabbits eventually get used to the smell. We have even tried sprinkling dried and pulverized coyote doodoo around the planting areas. It wasn't a whole lot of fun to process, but it sure has seemed to attract coyotes. I tried something on my woody plants that seemed to work. I made a mixture of tobasco sauce (about 1:3 with water) and sprayed it on the trunks and some foliage with a general purpose spray bottle. I actually saw one jackrabbit jumping around kind of like a bucking horse out of the shute. I felt bad enough that I wanted to tell him to drink milk or eat bread or something. I also didn't have much chewing going on after that. It also didn't seem to hurt the foliage (not sure I'd try it on tender plants). We have actually had to fence in (1/2 inch hardware cloth cages) many of our more expensive shrubs and tree trunks. The dogs and rabbits have become nighttime playmates.

Groundhogs: (and I am assuming other burrowing critters). We have used enough gas bombs to make our place smell like the day after a fireworks display. What we have used with some success is to pour as much diatomaceous earth (like used in swimming pool filters) as you can down each burrow. Unfortunately, if it works, it also kills the little guys -- works on the respiratory system and actually suffocates them.

Otherwise, you might try artificial plants. But my guess is that the same creatures would eat them as well. Good Luck!

I apologize for any mispellings. I couldn't get the spell check thingy to work.

Answer 2

Fences for rabbits and deer. Not sure about groundhogs. I don't recall the groundhog eating my plants, just digging a bit and squashing them flat by laying on them.

Answer 3

To keep deer out of my orchard I use Bars of soap tied to to the trees (strong smelling stuff like Irish spring) then after 2 weeks I switch them out with another brand of soap (currently Dial as it was on sale) and I rotate them every too weeks untill gone that way they dont get used to the scent and the soap is not harmful to your plants.

Answer 4

Neeh, Pardon me Mac, but i can'n speak for the other two critters... but us rabbits don't want nothing to do with eating your plants. What we don't grow on our own we have delivered from a fresh carrot deli. Just don't you worry none about us rabbits Doc & keep your eyes on old bambi there. Ya can never trust a critter with a tale that twitches.

Answer 5

Try moth balls...there is also something at the hardware stores that you can purchase that is powder that you shake around the plants....it has "dried blood" in it.....try it...it will work too! I've also heard that "human hair" around the plants works. I really think it's basically trial and error and whatever works at the time.

Answer 6

Liquid Fence - available at most nurseries or www.liquidfence.com

Also, a friend told me they don't like human hair so I put some of mine around the base of my lillies. No more stumps! Have wonderful blooming lillies now & best of all it's free :o)

Answer 7

There is an egg mixture and/or a chili pepper mixture you can use that will ward off the deer.

Answer 8

Make a "hair socks": old socks filled with; human, cat, and - or dog hair, dryer lint, vacuum bag dust. Human urine works too. (collect it in an old coffee can and sprinkle around)

Answer 9

Lots of moth balls around the garden

Answer 10

shoot em with a BB gun ur somethin, give it da ol' redneck go!