Keeping Pests Out of Your Garden
You have to admit that animals and insects are a part of nature. That does not mean, however, that you will tolerate them encroaching in your territory and wreaking havoc. Especially if you grow a vegetable garden, those pesky bugs are definitely not welcome. So what do you need to do to keep them out?
Sprinkle the soil with coffee grounds - You know those leftover grounds after you make your morning cup? Yes, those dark bits are actually great for repelling slugs and even cats. Both species particularly hate those beans that humans are very fond of. Moreover, the grounds are perfect for adding nitrogen into the soil. You can think of them as pest control cum fertiliser. What is even better is that you can get them easily from your kitchen. If you need more, you can ask the café near you if they are willing to give away their leftovers for free or for a price.
Build a fence - Kangaroos can obliterate the fruits of your labour in a matter of minutes. You can keep them out of the field by building barriers around it. Since those animals can leap to a certain height, make sure that the barricades reach eight feet. You should also make use of wire mesh as they are most effective.
Create raised beds - This is another option for keeping rabbits and gophers out of your vegetable garden. You need to make sure that the edges are at least eighteen inches high. Also, you must line the bottom with a fine-meshed hardware so that no burrowing animals can get to the root of your plants.
Use plants as barriers - If you think fences will make your lawn look unsightly; there are other flowers or shrubs that you can use instead. Daisies or poppies are good repellent for a doe and bunny. You can also cultivate herbs such as mint and oregano around your garden to serve the same purpose.
Owls - You can also solicit assistance from these night hunters. One adult owl can eat a gopher a day, thus eliminating one of your pest problems while you are asleep. All you need to do is build nests in your garden to encourage them to stay and stand guard. Just make sure that the dwellings are set twelve feet high and away from any gardening machinery. This is because owl droppings are corrosive to metal.
Pest control - This is another effective way to keep the annoying visitors away from your lawn. Professionals specialising in this field can handle all the chemical work for you in case you are not sure how to apply them properly.
