Unsolicited Garden Invaders: Uncovering the Mystery Behind Stolen Garden Pots and Plants
In an effort to protect houseplants from damage caused by various pests such as mice, toads, squirrels, shrews, and raccoons, a combination of natural repellents, physical barriers, and strategic planting can be employed.
Natural Plant Repellents
Certain aromatic herbs and flowers are known to repel pests and animals. Plants like marigolds, lavender, rosemary, basil, mint, and lemon balm have strong scents that can deter insects and some small animals [3][5][1]. For instance, marigolds emit pyrethrum, which repels ticks and possibly other pests. Lavender and rosemary have strong scents that repel ants, ticks, and mosquitoes. Basil and mint discourage mosquitoes and could repel small mammals due to their pungent smell.
Physical Barriers
For mice, squirrels, and shrews, consider surrounding plants with wire mesh or hardware cloth to prevent digging and nibbling. For raccoons, larger and stronger, use sturdy fencing or protective cages around plants. Raised planters or hanging pots can also help keep toads and small mammals from accessing plants.
Additional Repellents
Use mothballs cautiously in outdoor settings, as they repel lizards and other pests [2], but are toxic and should be placed safely away from pets and children. A spray made from cayenne pepper and water can deter certain reptiles like geckos and may irritate other small animals without harming plants [4].
Environmental Management
Remove sources of food and shelter around plants to make the area less attractive to animals. Keep the soil surface dry and free of debris, which can discourage toads and small mammals.
While many of these tactics come from insect and pest control knowledge, small mammals and amphibians often avoid strong-smelling herbs and physical barriers. Combining scented plants with physical deterrents will be more effective than either method alone. Be mindful that some repellents like mothballs have hazards, so use safer natural options first.
No single method deters all these animals perfectly since their behaviors differ, but an integrated approach with strong-scented plants, barriers, and environmental control will reduce damage to houseplants efficiently.
Remember to seal gaps and cracks in windows, ceilings, plumbing, ventilation, sewer lines with steel wool to block entry points. Motion-sensitive sprinklers, pinwheels, bells, or wind chimes can scare squirrels away. Laying fencing like poultry wire or bird netting across the lawn or garden can exclude raccoons. Removing raccoon food sources such as grubs using beneficial nematodes or milky spore can help prevent raccoon damage.
To prevent shrew infestations, mow the lawn regularly, refill holes with dirt or rocks, trim overgrown plants, seal gaps in the home's foundation, and rake up fallen leaves and branches. If necessary, use traps like snap traps or humane catch-and-release traps. Eliminating food sources like secured garbage can lids, compost piles, bird feeders, and fallen nuts, seeds, or fruits can help deter squirrels. Remove food sources: seal food, feed pets at specific times, and remove leftovers.
For those seeking shelter, storing food, hunting for grubs and earthworms, or feeding on plants, providing a toad house in a shady garden area, reducing watering for toads, and scattering blood meal or wood ashes around plants, creating a mixture of ground garlic and chili powder, hanging clothes that smell like human perspiration, or putting dog or human hair around the garden can all be used as deterrents.
To prevent mice from nesting, avoid using potting mix in large pots. Mice may feed on plant foliage and roots if they are hungry. Replace infested soil by removing and disinfecting containers before adding fresh potting mix.
Allowing a cat to roam freely at night can help control the mice population. Using fine netting or floating row covers may discourage squirrels from digging in new plantings.
With these strategies in mind, you can effectively protect your houseplants from unwanted pests and enjoy a thriving indoor garden.
Houseplants can benefit from scented herbs like marigolds, lavender, rosemary, basil, mint, and lemon balm, which may deter small animals due to their strong aromas. Furthermore, physical barriers such as wire mesh, hardware cloth, and sturdy fencing can prevent digging and nibbling by small mammals like mice, squirrels, and shrews, as well as protect plants from larger animals like raccoons.
