The best garden sprays
Do Garden Decos Really Work? Some of them do. Here are 7 of our favorites for keeping the garden pest-free. I love a garden pup as much as the next person. They're a fun way to add some personality around peas, or add cool kitsch to cucumbers. But when it comes to pest-repelling garden decoys, they aren't all that effective. In fact, I'm pretty sure the bunnies around my house are taking selfies with the gnomes.
It also brings up the fact that there are different garden pests depending on where you live. If you live in a more suburban or rural area, deer, skunks, rabbits, gophers, voles and a variety of other birds may need decoys in the garden. In cities, you won't necessarily have to deal with deer or gophers, but birds are definitely a problem, and it's not unheard of for rabbits and skunks to wander into backyards and community gardens feasting on strawberries or tomatoes.
However, here is the catch. While some of these creatures may eat our vegetables, they may also eat garden pests such as snails, tomato hornworms, and harmful beetles. So one of the things to consider is how you want to deal with these different pests. You certainly have options, but it's something to consider.
7 Garden Decoys (and Other Ideas!) to Keep Your Garden Critter Free
1. A fence A fence is not a trick, but it is one of the best ways to keep animals out of your garden. Remember that deer can easily jump over a low fence, and other animals can dig under one. When it is used in conjunction with other garden decoys, it can be a very effective approach.
2. Old CDs That bin of CDs sitting in your basement can get new life in your garden. Just build them from bushes, trees, or stakes in the ground, and you're all set to have spooky garden wrecks. They are light enough that a small breeze will blow around them, and flashing light and sudden movement will scare off most garden pests.
3. Wind bells As with CDs, that sudden movement and noise will scare your veggie snacks.
4. Radio Some gardeners swear that having a radio helps keep insects out of the garden. As long as you have a safe place to keep the speaker or radio out of the weather, it certainly doesn't hurt to try.
5. Motion-activated sprinklers An unexpected burst of water will deter most pests. There are many things to consider here, not the least of which is cost. These devices start around $45, and depending on the size of your garden or how much area you want to cover, you may need a few of these to keep pests at bay. Also note that too much activity can lead to an overwatered garden.
6. Motion-activated lights Like motion-activated sprinklers, these devices are triggered by animals moving around your garden. Some have flashing lights, while others have flashing lights for specific times. These are slightly less expensive than sprinkler systems, and many of them are solar-powered, giving you more versatility.
7. Motion-activated noise maker Like the other motion-activated garden mulches listed, these range widely in how expensive and effective they are and how much ground they can cover. While some are too loud or too sensitive, others offer more control. Some will play a pre-selected radio station, meaning the sound changes each time they are triggered, which can help garden pests become unaccustomed to one sound.
Ideas for other decoys and blockers
There are many garden decoys on the market, including ones that look like hawks, owls or coyotes. The problem with many of these is that if they sit in one place, other animals in your area will get used to them. However, there are plenty of other insect repellants. Anything from a raised bed to a border of marigolds can help keep unwanted critters away from your favorite vegetables. Read about some of them here.
Never underestimate the deterrent power of a cat or dog. Once other animals know there's a cat or dog around, they're your tot Datil does not want to risk being eaten and stays as far away as possible.
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