Garden Critters
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:04AM Every morning after I wake, I peer out my window to look at the backyard and vegetable garden. It is such a satisfaction to see everything so lush. However, this morning I find a wild rabbit munching happily on the summer squash flowers. I give a sigh, thinking I’ve made it through frost season, then all of the spring rain, now to deal with the little varmints that want to share in the fruits of my labor. I’m tempted to fence it in but for now I think I’ll just use one of the products at the garden center. There are a lot of deterrents out there but this is a list of the ones that we at the garden center found to work well.
Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit Repellent: It is all natural, containing a mix of egg solids and garlic. I know from experience it dries odorless as the label indicates.
Repellex for Fruit and Vegetables: One of my favorites for its effectiveness, but tends to be on the smelly side. It too contains a mix of egg solids, garlic, and paprika.
Messina Wildlife’s Deer Stopper: OMRI listed with a mix of egg solids, rosemary oil, and mint oil. It has a pleasant odor thanks to the oils!
Espoma Dried Blood: Sold as an organic fertilizer, it is a great source of nitrogen which promotes rapid growth and dark green leaves. But, as an added benefit it’s been a great deterrent of rabbits, moles and woodchucks. You can sprinkle it right on the leaves or around the perimeter.
There are many other deterrents. Just remember to read the label carefully before use as some other repellents are not meant for edible crops.
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