Lesson 3: Disease And Pest Control
Squirrels And Other Furry Pests
Rabbits and squirrels are cute in petting zoos and parks. But these furry little creatures are the bane of the home gardener. They can easily munch their way through your garden in a week, if not controlled. Now, as upset as I can get at them, it is a very different proposition to kill them. At least for me. Fortunately there are ways short of outright murder to control them.
We have a huge red squirrel, who has taken up residence in my venerable old elm tree. He is delightful to watch as he scampers from limb to limb or munches on nuts. I don’t want to trap and relocate him, simply because he is such a happy little creature. So, after some research on squirrel diet, I purchased bulk nuts, seeds and grains for him, which Brainiac placed in strategic spots throughout the garden.
Rabbits eat anything green that attracts their fancy. 90% of their diet is grass, the rest is made up of beans, peas, weeds, alfalfa, clover, cabbage and lettuce. They will also eat vines and their tendrils. I use two methods to repel rabbits. One is an item called Spray Away, which is activated by the animal's heat, and issues a hard stream of water at the rabbit. The Havahart Company makes this item. Another thing is the Havahart Spray repellant. It is sprayed on all landscape plants and repels by odor. It is very effective, yet humane.
You can get rid of gophers and moles by using a product called Dexol. It's 100% organic, and is very effective. Made with castor oil, it causes an upset stomach in the animal, and they leave for healthier areas.
Deer are a nightmare in many home gardens. Browsing at night or early morning hours, they can literally strip trees and gardens bare. The use of high wire fencing and repellants like Not Tonight Deer can help keep them from your garden.
Rats of all kinds will gnaw on fruits and vegetables, ruining crops and spreading disease. This is why a clean garden is not inviting to rodents. But if you find signs of rodent activity, using traps and baits is the only way to get rid of them.
You can effectively rid your garden of problem visitors in a humane and environmentally safe way.
