Garden pests turn a beautiful flower bed into a source of frustration. Controlling them requires understanding the specific intruder and selecting the appropriate strategy. Successful defense relies on a targeted, layered approach that incorporates sensory deterrents and environmental modifications alongside physical barriers. This multi-faceted method ensures effective, long-term protection for your cultivated space.
Identifying the Culprit
The initial step in protecting a flower bed is accurately determining which animal is causing the damage, as different species leave distinct signatures. Rabbit damage is often a clean, angled cut on stems, usually occurring low to the ground, reflecting their sharp incisor teeth. In contrast, deer lack upper incisors, resulting in foliage and stems having a ragged, torn, or shredded appearance. Deer browsing typically occurs from the ground up to six feet high.
Evidence of digging suggests a different type of pest, with the size and shape of the hole providing clues. Skunks and raccoons forage for insects and grubs, creating shallow, conical holes about two to four inches across. Burrowing animals like groundhogs create larger, more extensive holes, often 10 to 12 inches wide, with a noticeable mound of excavated soil near the entrance. Correctly identifying the pest informs the necessary action, whether it involves a simple fence or a complex repellent routine.
Physical Exclusion Methods
Physical barriers are the most reliable method for immediate and complete protection of a flower bed. The design and height of a fence must be specific to the target animal to be effective. A fence intended to deter deer must be substantial, ideally reaching a height of at least seven to eight feet, because deer easily clear lower obstacles.
For smaller pests like rabbits and woodchucks, the height requirement is modest, typically between 24 and 36 inches, but the mesh size is more critical. Rabbit-proof fencing should have a mesh opening of 1.25 inches or smaller to prevent young animals from squeezing through. To block persistent burrowing animals, the barrier must extend below the soil line. The most effective technique is to bury the fence at least six to twelve inches deep and bend the bottom edge outward to form an “L” shaped apron.
Sensory Deterrents and Repellents
Repellents work by targeting an animal’s senses, making the plant or the area unappealing without causing harm. Taste-based products, applied directly to the foliage, often contain capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers. Capsaicin imparts a temporary but intense burning sensation when the animal attempts to eat the plant. A highly effective scent-based deterrent for deer and rabbits utilizes putrescent whole egg solids, a formulation that mimics the smell of a decaying carcass, triggering an instinctive fear response.
Chemical repellents require reapplication, especially after heavy rainfall or when new plant growth appears, since the fresh foliage is unprotected. Motion-activated deterrents provide a sudden, startling element, such as a burst of water from a sprinkler that detects movement up to 30 feet away. Auditory devices like ultrasonic repellers have mixed results in field studies, and their effectiveness diminishes as animals become accustomed to the sound.
Modifying the Garden Environment
Long-term protection involves making the garden less desirable as a food source or habitat. A primary strategy is planting species that naturally deter pests due to their texture, scent, or inherent toxicity. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid plants with strong aromatic foliage, such as lavender (Lavandula) and catmint (Nepeta), or those with coarse or fuzzy leaves like lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina).
Certain plants contain compounds that are toxic or unpalatable, making them natural choices for a resistant flower bed, including monkshood (Aconitum) and bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis). Beyond plant selection, modifying the environment can reduce the incentive for animals to visit by removing attractants like fallen fruit or pet food. For digging animals, securing the flower bed by covering soft mulch with a layer of hardware cloth or using coarser materials like crushed stone discourages foraging behavior.