5 Tips to Maintain a Safe and Wildlife- Resistant Backyard

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Justin Noss

1157 Last modified by the author on 28/11/2016 - 10:50
5 Tips to Maintain a Safe and Wildlife- Resistant Backyard

Having a beautiful, lush and sprawling backyard is every homeowner’s dream come true. But, with a huge woody patch comes the responsibility to keep it safe and clean. If you are an avid gardener or planter, then you will have to think of ways to keep out deer and other animals from attacking your vegetation. You will also have to ensure that you inflict minimal or no harm on the wild visitors, because they are a critical part of our ecosystem and killing them can disturb the delicate balance of nature.

Early spring and late fall are peak feeding seasons, and there is a greater possibility that your yard will be overrun by hungry and marauding adult deer in these seasons. A full-grown deer eats about 6-10 pounds of greenery a day. The best protection against it is to make your yard less appetizing than your neighbor’s.

In addition to deer, there can be a range of wild animals that live and thrive in your neighborhood, so you can expect to be surprised by these visitors.

Here are a few tips to help you safeguard your yard from wild animals and ensure that you coexist peacefully with nature:

(1) Restrict Overgrowth of Tasty Plants

Plant-eating animals are attracted to tasty, protein-rich and luscious plants like beans, peas, lettuces and pansies. Avoid growing fruit trees that attract deer and other plant-eating animals with their sweetness and flavors. Peaches and strawberries are as tempting to deer as they are to humans.

Plants like azalea, rose and clematis are also delicious to plant-eating wild intruders. These plants are soft and tender, and easy to munch on. If you do want to have them in the garden, grow them closer to your home so that you can keep an eye on them.

(2) Incorporate Repellent Smells in Your Yard

Wild animals have a very strong sense of smell. There are several plants whose smells are repulsive to animals, thus preventing them from foraging in your yard. Strong-scented herbs like garlic, chives, cilantro, mint and lavender will be unappetizing for animals. Their odor will also mask the milder aroma of other delicious plants nearby.

(3) Bring in Unpleasant Textures

It is not just revolting smells that deter animals, but deer and other plant-eating animals do not prefer munching on fuzzy, hairy or thorny plants either. Lamb’s ear, barberries and poisonous plants like foxglove are repulsive to deer.

You can plant them in your garden, around the perimeter of flower beds, or near the plant varieties that you want to protect.

Members of the Amaryllis family including daffodils, snowflakes and snowdrops are repellent to deer and rodents. A bitter substance called lycorine present in these plants is not eaten by mammals. These plants will not only make your yard colorful and beautiful, but are also resistant to unwelcome visitors from the wild.

Bulbs like alliums, grape hyacinth, winter aconite and bluebells are lovely and vibrant and repel critters like rabbits from eating their way into your garden.

(4) Keep Your Yard Clean

An unkempt landscape can attract a host of wild neighbors into your territory. Animals like bear, raccoon, cougars, coyotes and wolves are attracted to food leftovers in trash cans, pet food left outside, and compost made from meat and food scrap.

Ensure you secure trash in clean and sturdy containers. The trash cans must be washed and cleaned regularly to remove remnants of food from them. Pet food must never be left outside. Once your pet is done with his meal, discard the leftovers safely.   

Never feed wildlife in your yard. This will attract other hungry animals or their predators that come looking for prey.

Trim tall grass and thick undergrowth to make it hard for wild animals to find a hiding place in your yard.

These steps will not only keep your yard safe, but also protect you and your family from dangerous animals.

(5) Fence It In

A foolproof way to protect and safeguard your yard is to install a fence around your property. While it is not feasible to fence the whole lot, it is possible to enclose your garden or vegetation patches with sturdy fencing, and leave the rest open. Of course, the fencing you install will depend on the type of animals you’re dealing with.

For example, whitetail deer, commonly found in suburban areas, are agile jumpers. To keep them out of your yard, you will have to consider a fence that is at least 8-feet in height, with a gap of no more than 6-inch by 6-inch.

Chain-link fencing can be a better option when compared to wooden fencing. It is strong, durable and also provides good visibility. If a wild intruder does hide behind it, you will be able to spot it easily.

Your Fencing Contractors Oak Hills will be able to suggest you the best fencing for your needs by taking into consideration the landscape requirements and the wildlife presence in your region.

Conclusion

A backyard is a wonderful addition to a house. It is a place for your kids to run around, can be home to a nutritious kitchen garden and also host natural greenery. If you take proper care of your yard and keep unwelcome wildlife off limits, you will be able to enjoy it all year round.

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