Whitby homeowners who love gardening know there is nothing worse than having a garden full of growing vegetables, plants, and flowers destroyed by local wildlife. It only takes one tiny critter to wreak havoc on ample garden space. Whether it is chipmunks, deer, or squirrels, wildlife can quickly destroy one of your yard’s best features. Here is how to identify which critters are invading your yard and tips to deter them from your garden safely. 

Identify Animals Invading Your Garden 

There is a multitude of wildlife that call the Whitby area home. Identifying which animals are attracted to your yard is the first step to deterring them. 

• Deer: These animals are drawn to gardens with lots of edibles and flowering plants as they have huge appetites. A single deer can consume 10 pounds of food each day.  You may notice ripped leaves, half-devoured vegetables, and flowers with missing buds when deer are present. You can be sure you have deer in your yard if you notice pellet-shaped droppings or heart-shaped tracks.
• Rabbits: Rabbits may look cuddly, but they can quickly devour an entire row of vegetables. Signs of a rabbit infestation include small droppings, missing plants, and tufts of fur. Bunnies are often present as well if you notice rabbit activity.  
• Raccoons: Racoons are feared by homeowners because of their voracious appetites and their irritable temperaments. These creatures are most active at night and are usually attracted by open trash cans. Signs of raccoon activity include ripped trash bags and empty bird feeders.
• Squirrels: A squirrel has likely taken up residence in your yard if you notice tiny holes in your planting containers and half-consumed vegetables and plants. Like squirrels, raccoons are attracted by bird feeders and will consume lingering birdseed quickly.  

Other critters common in the Whitby area include groundhogs and gophers. 

Tips To Deter Wildlife 

A hungry critter can quickly destroy a well-maintained garden, ruining hours of hard work. Deter pests from taking up residence in your yard by following these tips: 

Clean up: The best way to keep wildlife out of your yard is to eliminate their hiding places. Make sure you clean up messy woodpiles, overgrown shrubs, and untidy planter boxes. Most critters avoid open spaces, and a garden full of trimmed beds will deter small animals from coming into your yard. 

Remove food: Pick vegetables and other edibles as soon as they are ripe and make sure your planter boxes are free of discarded plants. Also, avoid keeping pet food outdoors as it can attract all kinds of animals, including deer and raccoons. 

Put up a fence: A wall around your garden is the best way to keep animals from invading your garden. You can erect a permanent barrier or a temporary solution you take down after harvesting your vegetables. Mesh fences are cut to a pre-determined size and are fastened to fence posts. Electric fences are more expensive, but they are the best way to keep larger animals out of your yard. Make sure you maintain your fence regularly to protect your investment and identify structural issues early on once it is installed. 

Work With Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control

Are you looking for solutions for wildlife control in Whitby? Contacting an expert is the best way to permanently rid your yard of creatures, including deer, groundhogs, squirrels, raccoons, and rabbits. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control provides Whitby homeowners with humane, safe and practical solutions to wildlife conflicts. We use safe wildlife control methods to ensure the wellbeing of the animal and your property and family. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our wildlife control experts.