by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: May 07, 2009   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

Gardeners constantly face adversity, whether it be in the form of diseases, insects or pests. There are all sorts of suggested and tested remedies to deal with each of these situations, but for some people, the far greater problem they face is dealing with the wildlife that threatens to destroy the garden, but not before consuming everything that a gardener has worked so hard to grow.

When trying to deal with wildlife, it's important to look for non-toxic methods to keep them at bay. No one wants to have to deal with chemicals on or near their vegetables, especially when organic growing the goal.

What, then, are some of the ways by which we can deal with wildlife without hurting the animals or the vegetables?

FENCING

Some people use chicken wire because that will keep many animals away. The trouble with chicken wire is that it cannot keep an animal away if the animal can dig deep enough to get into the garden by crawling under the fence. Opossums, rabbits, squirrels, cats and other smaller animals have no trouble crawling under fences.

There is a liquid fence that can be sprayed around the garden area to keep the wildlife at bay, but it is a chemical product, and the potential for it to affect the vegetable area, the plants, or ripening crops is something to consider.

FOX OR COYOTE URINE

Although it isn't cheap to purchase, one can find fox or coyote urine at specialty garden centers. There are two ways to use it: one method involves using liquid urine and pouring it into special containers. The containers can be hung from lower branches of bushes. The theory behind this is that the animals that would venture into the garden can smell the urine of a predator and that tends to keep them away.

Fox and coyote urine can also be purchased in powdered form. To use it in powdered form, sprinkle it around the area where the animals come into the garden. Although this is very effective, it's very expensive, and one must reapply it every time it rains, or whenever the garden is watered.

PLASTIC OWLS

Owls are predators and eat smaller animals like rabbits. Many gardening centers or stores that sell an abundance of gardening tools, decorations and other things will have realistic looking owls. They are typically made out of heavy duty plastic. They have glass eyes and are hollow inside. When filled with rocks or sand, they become sufficiently heavy to stay in place.

Put them in the garden in areas where the wildlife causes the most destruction. Every few days, move the

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