Toni said:Catherine ~ can you divulge the “critter spray” recipe. What has it been effective in deterring? I have battles with just about every form of wildlife imaginable. I just got done covering my strawberries with a cloche so I may be able to beat the birds to some of them.
Toni -
this spray is effective on squirrels, rabbits, cats, dogs - may deter some birds (although I put aluminum foil flags out for birds):
stale dated milk
chopped garlic (no need to peel, just smash and chop)
liberal amount of hot sauce or cayenne pepper
combine ingredients in milk jug with cap, shake well then set the container out in the hot sun for a couple of days or more. Open container, add water if too thick then decant to spray bottle. The smell is horrible at first. Spray your most popular plants. Re-apply after rain.
Toni - this concoction takes a strong stomach - I've seen squirrels do a back flip and run away screaming
The gardener who shared this recipe with me made yellow markers out of cardstock and brushed it on both sides, stuck it in beds and it worked great. I'm apparently too lazy to make the markers so I just spray it around my garden.
Aluminum pie pans work for birds, strips of chicken wire around beds deter *some* raccoons and rabbits.
Good Luck!
