How do you protect your gardens?

[nomad]

How do you protect your gardens, fruits, crops, etc against unwanted animals such as birds, deers, etc? I myself use a sound scarer machine operating with lpg to protect my cherry trees against the birds. See pix. I also use an ultrasonic electronic device, but it is less effective than this mechanical old machine as it is also scaring all other animals while ultrasonic devices are effective for certain animals only and at certain distances.

 

[sneaky_pete]

Garden completely contained in wire netting fence w/ bird netting on the top.

 

[Glenn9643]

We've found that the propane cannons (as you pictured in the attachment) are effective for a relatively short time. Pretty soon the animals ignore them.
I've resorted to using bird netting to protect tomatoes, figs, etc. and while it works it's a lot of trouble.
Over the winter the deer started munching on some of our young trees, and reduced several loquat to stumps. I did some reading, and there were several products available that used a rotten egg base that deter deer from feeding. I tried some and it seemed to work but is expensive. Since then I learned that some of the local soy bean farmers have been mixing their own spray using egg whites to deter deer browing in their fields.

 

[nomad]

All animals are used to any kind of noise after a certain time (some days, weeks or months.) The solution is to use an electronic scare cannon which shots randomly. I also have such a cannon, but since it requires a battery I don't like it. Instead, I change shot intervals on this mechanical model from time to time so that they will not be used to the cannon as it will shot at different periods. Well, at least, except "veteran" birds who deserve to eat some cherry anyway, most of birds will fly away when the cannon shots.

 

[slowrev]

electric fence with 6 strands, the bottom one about 6 inches above the ground. works great, but you have to abandon the garden for a few weeks if a skunk gets into it /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Ben

 

[lawnduster]

spread fire ashes around the perimeter of your garden. For some reason it keeps the deer out real good

 

[MrWiggles2]

I just planted 4 black cherry trees around my yard. They are small, 24" trees. I bought them on eBay believe it or not and I have them surrounded by tomatoe cages. Then, I wrapped black screen around the cage so that the sun doesn't cook them. I'll probably remove the screen, as they have been in for about 6 weeks. They appear to be doing very well. In the fall, I will have them in a tree tube or whatever you call them. As the local hare and deer will devour these almond tasting little suckers. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[marks]

The bird netting is easy and effective, and the local farm supply store sells deer repellant, that can be sprayed around the perimeter.

 

[PineRidge]

This is the first year that the deer are very visible. In this area at least there are just to many and as a result they will eat just about anything. I'm seriously thinking about putting up an electric fence just tying to come up with a good game plan for one that will keep the varmints out and yet allow me to come and go when the need arises.

 

[Egon]

Ah - haw - Nomad has been surfing the net again! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ducati996]

Two methods of Garden protection - too bad the biggest threat would be a harmless bunny rabbit -

 

[JeepOne]

We counted one night, from our back porch, almost 300 deer grazing on our property (reminicent of those pics of the african plains). Can't get rid of them, tried everything, so I built an 8' tall fence with 9 gauge alum wire (posts 8' apart) all around the garden (600') with one strand of electric fence wire and 3' of chicken wire, to keep out the small night varmints. So far....so good. I now have peace of mind. Now I gotta keep those deer from my newly planted maple trees. They must think its candy or they're mighty pissed at me for my new fence. Either way, I'm workin' on it........ /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[roho]

Good gosh, seems like top preditor in U'r area needs to step up Africa plains theory! I know introducing another species into area may not be wise but If all else fails U could try to introduce CA(coonasses) or ETR's(east texas rednecks) into U'r area for a short time and let them get deer population back down to manageable! Best time to releave these two non native species is about 3 to 4 weeks before the LSU & U of TEXAS football seasons start to be assured of their voluntary migrating back to their native hunting grounds!

 

[cphilip]

Feed em Lead pellets at 1200 fps and eat good both veggies and meat!

 

[JeepOne]

LOL..thats a good one

We've talked to the county and state agents about extending the hunting season or introducing coyote's in the state games lands that border our property. No luck......

Anyway, we feel warm and fuzzy with that 8' fence. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif