| How can I keep the animals from eating the leaved off of my flowers and vegatables ? I know there is a mixture of tabacco juice, detergent , garlic and some other items but I do not know how it is mixed . Can you help me ? |
| There are many recipes for home made repellents, although tobacco is not recommended. Most of them involve using red pepper and/or garlic in water with a bit of soap added to help it stick. I haven't tried these myself, so I can't vouch for effectiveness. For dogs and cats: Mix into a quart of water: one clove garlic (chopped), one onion (chopped), 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce, 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper or chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Dribble over area to be protected. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and be careful not to get this in your eyes or on your skin. For deer: This deterrent is based on the fact that deer do not like the smell of decaying egg. Mix in one gallon of water one egg, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, and 4 tablespoons of an anti-transpirent such as Never Wilt or Wilt Pruf . The anti-transpirent is crucial as it keeps the solution on for about two months. For squirrels and other critters: Some gardeners report success using repellent sprays, either home made garlic/pepper recipes or the commercial type such as GetAway Squirrel and Raccoon Repellent or even predator urines. Others report that a pet dog or cat can serve as a deterrent, and others resort to a combination of methods including caging plants that seem to be particular favorites. If digging is their main activity, you may find that a wire mesh such as chicken wire laid over the surface or caging the plants helps. Do be sure to test any concoction on just a few leaves, wait several days, and make sure the plant is okay before spraying it all over. |
