DIY Network

Pest Protection Pest Protection From "Fresh from the Garden" episode DFFG-119

Keep critters away from your growing carrots with these simple yet effective tactics:

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	Electronic rodent repellers deter moles, gophers and just about any burrowing rodent. Simply dig a pilot hole and insert the battery-powered tube ....
	Bird screening will help keep birds from stealing your harvest -- place stakes about 3 feet apart around the perimeter of the area.
	"Silent security guards" can be invaluable in protecting your garden: just choose the type that best suits your needs.

• One thing you can always count on in your vegetable garden is uninvited guests. Animal pests like moles, gophers, birds, rabbits and deer can discourage gardeners who walk out to their gardens one day and find them ravaged. There is no surefire, quick fix to any serious animal pest invasion. In most cases you have two choices: you can either trap the pest or set up a barrier to keep the pests out!

• Desperate gardeners have resorted to all kinds of ingenious ways to deter animal pests. Some have used everything from electrified fences to sticks of chewing gum. Cats and dogs can also be very good pest deterrents scaring off animals like rabbits and squirrels.

• With new technology, there are many gadgets that claim to deter pest. There is no scientific research to support all their claims but their popularity suggests that in some cases, the remedies are worth a try. There is an electronic rodent repeller used to repel moles, gophers, just about any burrowing rodent. You first dig a pilot hole and then insert the battery-powered aluminum tube into the ground. Once you turn on the device the sound waves and ground vibrations frighten ground rodents.

• Don't expect instant results. It will usually take continuous usage for 2 to 4 weeks before effective against the rodents. You should also check with the manufacturer to determine whether the electronic device will harm household pets like cats and dogs.

• To help keep birds out of your vegetables use bird screening. To cover most any young vegetables you need to place stakes about 3 feet apart around the perimeter of your plants. Then stretch string from corner to corner and around the perimeter attaching the string to the stakes. Place the netting over the string and pull the netting tight and secure it to the ground. A good way to secure the netting is with sod staples. With the bird screen in place it will protect your plants.

• All of these repellents act like silent security guards. They are designed to repel animal pests without harming them yet still protecting your homegrown garden vegetables.