If you're interested in nonlethal methods of keeping animals out of your garden, you have several options. One of the best is also one of the oldest. Building a fence around your garden will prevent a wide variety of animals from munching on your vegetables. If local laws permit, you can use an electric fence as an added deterrent. Your own pets can help keep wildlife away. Humane traps, such as the Have-a-Heart trap (figure A)<#IMG LEFT>, allow you to capture and contain pesky animals and relocate them where they won't bother you. Before relocating an animal, contact wildlife officials to determine the best place for release. In most cases you should release the animal at least five miles away to prevent its finding its way back to you.
Homemade repellents can keep animals at bay. For instance, you can place human hair or bars of soap in nylon stockings and hang them from trees around your garden (figure B)<#IMG RIGHT>. The scent will keep many animals from coming near. You'll need to replace the stockings fairly often because animals will get used to the smell after a while.
You can make a smelly repellent from cayenne and garlic powder (figure C) <#IMG LEFT>. Mix 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, three drops dishwashing detergent and 1 quart water. Pour the concoction into a spray bottle, and apply it to outdoor plants. You'll need to reapply the spray after each rain or if animals seem to be getting used to the smell.
Mothballs (figure D) <#IMG RIGHT> aren't just for your closet. You can spread them around shorter vegetables to keep rabbits away.
If your area is home to coyotes or bobcats, commercial products made from coyote and bobcat urine (figure E) <#IMG LEFT> might help you keep other animals away. The products are available as dry granules that can be spread around your garden.
To keep moles out of your yard, spray castor-oil-based mole repellent on your lawn and around your garden. Moles apparently hate castor oil almost as much as kids do.
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