Animals eating flowers and vegetable plants

United States
July 14, 2009 12:07pm CST
Does anyone know of a humane way to keep animals from eating up flower and vegetable plants in your yard. Something keeps eating up my hostas, pansies and a few other plants--I believe that it is either deer, rabbits or groundhogs, but I'm not sure which it might be. I have seen groundhogs ( I have a picture of one on my profile page) and have seen what I believe are deer prints in the yard. I would appreciate any suggestions on this problem.
2 people like this
5 responses
max1950
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
14 Jul 09
moth balls or dried blood both you can get at wal-mart or home depot. there's a flower that spreds but is an annual that will keep all animals away from tomato plants because of the strong smell, i forget the name right now but you can buy them anywhere they look like a small carnation and are yellow and that seems to work well
2 people like this
max1950
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
14 Jul 09
ok i got it their marigolds
1 person likes this
max1950
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
14 Jul 09
thats it, the smell is very overpowering when they spread out.
1 person likes this
3SnuggleBunnies
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
14 Jul 09
So that's why they recommend them,it's their smell.
1 person likes this
3SnuggleBunnies
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
14 Jul 09
These are the common suggestions I've heard and tried a few.... *raise your beds *surround them with chicken wire or the alike *put out water for the critters by using the bottom of a 2ltr soda bottle or milk jug *dried blood from your local nursery *hair clippings *wind chimes *pin wheels *live cage Good Luck!
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3SnuggleBunnies
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
14 Jul 09
Oh I forgot hot sauce though this and the dried blood will need to be reapplied after every rain.
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Wilbet28
@Wilbet28 (97)
• United States
26 Jul 09
Thanks for the suggestions. I will try some of these. I have already tried putting some pots up on a table near the house and they have not bothered them, so far.
1 person likes this
peavey
@peavey (16936)
• United States
14 Jul 09
One more thing that hasn't been mentioned is human urine. If it's deer, that will keep them away. Got a husband or son handy? :)
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Wilbet28
@Wilbet28 (97)
• United States
26 Jul 09
Thanks, thats a good idea, too. I think I will try the moth ball idea, though, especially if it will keep snakes away also.
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BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (48351)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 Jul 09
I recently heard from a neighbor that putting bloodmeal around the garden keeps the squirrels away. Maybe it'll do the same for the other critters. I haven't tried it yet myself, though.
1 person likes this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (48351)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 Jul 09
I checked out the photo... cheeky devils, aren't they?
Wilbet28
@Wilbet28 (97)
• United States
26 Jul 09
Thanks, I might try the bloodmeal. The squirrels are really bad about raiding our birdfeeders--they will empty one in a day or so. I am going to post a picture on my profile page of a squirrel on one of our birdfeeders.
1 person likes this
busky5
@busky5 (3164)
• Thailand
21 Jul 09
I think possible like your thought.I ever see eat plant and fruits.Thay are prefering.