DEER, GROUNDHOGS,
RABBITS |
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Few things
discourage a hosta gardener more than having a herd of deer
show up in early summer and mow off all of their hostas like a
giant out-of-control lawnmower. They are big animals that can
eat a lot and they aren't afraid of people. They are fairly
smart and once they have a taste for hostas they will keep
coming back. |
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Fences are the most effective, followed by a dog that will chase
them off. They can be fooled by scent-based deterrents temporarily,
but they will eventually figure them out, or less gullible ones will
come along that are more up on the latest human tricks. Varying
these deterrents is more effective than just using the same one.
Much better control can be had by using a spray with capsaicin - the
chemical that makes hot peppers hot. The hotter the spray the better
it works. Extremely hot sauces are available now for very little
money. If using them be careful to avoid skin contact and wear eye
protection and a mask to keep from breathing the spray. Do not set
the sprayer to a mist.
Groundhogs and Rabbits can also take a
liking to hosta foliage. While deer eat only the leaves and don't
eat the petioles, groundhogs eat the petioles too. Rabbits sometimes
eat leaves, and other times just cut them off and leave them on the
ground. Rabbits cut petioles cleanly, while deer rip and tear.
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In the
Garden: Taste
deterrents made with capsaicin (hot pepper) are the most effective
on deer, the hotter the better. Moth flakes (not balls) made with
naphthalene are EPA-approved in the US and generally safe around
pets and wildlife, and are very effective at deterring rabbits.
Groundhogs are best removed. |
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