Critter Control for Gardeners Cary NC

You love the great outdoors, especially gardening. But sometimes wildlife can be just a bit too wild, with rabbits munching prized plants to the ground, deer devouring petals of roses and azaleas and cats rolling over seedlings and leaving their "calling cards" throughout your landscaping. Learning more about these animals’ habits and identifying the culprits is your first step to critter control. Here are some tips to help you determine the critters you'll need to thwart:

Rabbits: Bunnies don't just dine on clover and grass, they'll also wreak havoc on your vegetable plants and can even damage woody plants in your landscape. Telltale signs that bunnies are bountiful include damage that is usually no higher than 2 1/2 feet above the ground, and sharp cuts at 45-degree angles on plants.

Deer: A lovely sight almost anywhere other than in your backyard. Deer can, and do, cause major damage to plants, landscapes and vegetable gardens, consuming about 12 pounds of foliage in a single day. To determine if your flowers and vegetables are disappearing due to deer damage, look closely at the half-eaten plants. If you see a jagged, rough edge, you can be sure the damage was done by deer, as they have no incisor teeth and tear at the food source.

Squirrels: These cute creatures can be quite destructive when it comes to your gardens and landscapes. Squirrels are burrowing animals; they usually feed on bulbs and green leafy material during the spring and summer, switching to seeds and grains during the fall and winter. They love wild bird feeders and have a reputation for driving away the birds you put the feeder out to attract. You have squirrel damage if you see gnawing marks on tree bark and outside wiring, and signs of digging and burrowing. You'll also see them around or on your birdfeeder.

Cats: Cats love to dig in tilled soil, making gardens perfect for their digging desires. Most cats think the outdoors is their litter box, and a patch of dirt is an invitation to come do their business. It also makes a great place to play or roll. They'll roll over your plants, breaking new shoots and foliage. A sure sign you have a cantankerous cat frolicking in your flowerbeds is cat droppings.

What to do

All-natural alternatives can help keep critters out of your gardens. Look for 100 percent certified organic products such as those made by Messina Wildlife Management. Easily applied in ready-to-use spray bottles, these organic products dry clear, smell good and work for 30 days before reapplication is needed, no matter the weather. They're safe to use on vegetables and none will harm the animals they're intended to repel. Natural products use taste and smell aversions to keep critters like rabbits, deer, squirrel, cats, groundhogs and moles out of your backyard. For most animals scent and taste are the primary senses that attract them to food sources. If you disrupt the animal's sense of smell and taste, you have won the battle.

-- ARA