by Amanda Dcosta

Created on: May 11, 2009   Last Updated: February 18, 2011

International Outlook To Protecting Your Garden From Wildlife:

If you are to visit homes in the outskirts of cities, especially in India, or homes that have large garden spaces, as in most Asian countries, you will find one thing common; either a wall or fence is built around the yard or there will most definitely be a row of cacti around the boundary. People have always looked for ways to keep wildlife and animals out of garden spaces because of the amount of destruction that ensues. Unlike the U.S where deer, gophers, rabbits, moles, etc. are the main garden predators, animals like the cows, buffalos, bulls, goats and rodents are common garden enemies in India. Many animals look for fresh green leaves and fruits, and what better place to find them than in your garden which looks attractive, healthy and a natural magnet to wildlife.

Walls, Fences or Cacti:

There are many natural ways to protect your garden from predators. One of the most common methods, as mentioned earlier, is to build a defense around your garden either with a wall, or a fence or even with cacti. Walls can be painted in attractive colours to enhance the beauty of your garden and so can your fence too. Cacti on the other hand, can serve many purposes. First of all they are beautiful ornamental plants and can contribute to your garden's beauty by the peripheral desert look. Most of them have beautifully colored flowers that throw off a wonderful contrast to your conventional garden look within. Apart from this, they deter animals from entering into your garden because of their natural defense system; spines and thorns.

In choosing cacti for border defense, you might want to choose the types that are generally tall and very thorny, so as to keep even bigger animals out. Planting a row / rows of tall cacti on the outside and rows of smaller cacti on the inside can have its benefits, both for ornamental purpose and defense.

Dogs and Cats:

In India, it is seen that people who own cows and goats, generally take them to any available open grassland to graze. This may be just outside your property, and at times animals stray into your space in search of those succulent leaves that are so well bred and watered in your garden. Owning a dog can have its benefits. Dogs almost always chase away these straying animals and watch out for other predators. They are even seen to chase away birds that feed on fresh fruit of shrubs.

Cats on the other hand can be good for rodents such as rats and bandicoots.

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