ARA) – Warm weather has arrived and summer’s bounty of blooms and vegetables are finally in sight. And so are families of groundhogs, rabbits, squirrels, deer and other critters who just can’t wait to feast on the fruits of your labor.
No one wants to battle the bunnies and other bothersome wildlife. Trapping garden intruders won’t solve the problem and some commonly used repellants can negatively impact the environment. It is possible, however, to kindly encourage animals to look for their next meal somewhere other than your garden – and be kind to the environment at the same time.
First, you’ll need to recognize your opponent. James Messina, of Messina Wildlife Management, producers of a full line of organic animal repellents, offers the following tips on some of the critters you might find munching on your prized plants and landscapes this summer:
1. Groundhogs: It's the groundhog’s goal to eat as much as possible which puts him on a collision course with your garden.
Groundhogs damage your landscape in two ways. First, they eat vegetables in the garden, attacking both the root crops and above ground crops. Second, their relentless tunneling causes mass disruption of root systems, weakening and can even killing plant life.
2. Rabbits: Bunnies don’t just dine on clover and grass, although those greens make up 90 percent of their diets. They also damage woody plants in your landscape. Feeding at night or in the early morning, their damage is usually no higher than 2 1/2 feet above the ground.
3. Deer: A lovely sight almost anywhere other than in your own back yard, deer can cause major damage to plants and vegetable gardens. 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, leaving tell-tale signs of their presence.
4. Squirrels and Chipmunks: These furry, funny, cute creatures can be quite destructive when it comes to your gardens and landscapes. Both ground squirrels and chipmunks are burrowing animals. Usually, they feed on green leafy material during the summer and switch to seeds and grains during the fall and winter. They also love wild bird feeders and have a reputation for driving away the very birds you put the feeder out to attract.
For most animals, scent and taste are the primary attractions to food sources. If you disrupt the animal’s sense of smell and taste you have won the battle against the constant parade of critters in your landscapes. As a rule of thumb, it is far better to prevent wildlife damage than to wait until it occurs and try to combat it.
Messina Wildlife Management’s OMRI certified (100 percent) line of organic animal repellents convinces critters to go elsewhere, while still protecting the environment. Easily applied in a ready to use spray-on bottle, the repellents dry clear, are all pleasant smelling, and work for 30 days before reapplication is needed, no matter the weather. The full product line can even be used on edibles, and none of the products cause harm or physical irritation to the animals they repel. The products work by smell and taste, repelling pesky critters from your back yard, and they’re all pleasant smelling and safe to humans.
Visit www.messinawildlifemanagement.com for more information on safe, effective pest repellents.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
