Press Releases

March 24, 2006
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Michelle Pintar
Direct: (414) 431-6104
E-mail: mpintar@wihumane.org

Create a Visual Feast for Wildlife

MILWAUKEE ? Spring has arrived, and gardening enthusiasts will soon be heading outdoors to start planting their gardens. Gardeners are not the only ones who have favorite plants ? so do squirrels, birds and other wild animals.

Animals eating flowers or other garden plants are common problems. The Wisconsin Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center recommends the following methods to keep your garden safe from wild animals and prevent you from having to share your prized vegetables and flowers with the rabbits, woodchucks and squirrels:

·   Install a fence around your garden that is at least 4' high and preferably buried 12? into the ground.

·   Sprinkle red or black pepper or chili powder around your plants. Also place wire mesh cages around vulnerable plants.

·   Spray Tabasco sauce mixed with water on edible plants. The sauce can then be washed off for human consumption.

·   The Wisconsin Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center sells two safe animal repellents called Liquid Fence and Ropel, which can be used to help keep your garden safe from wild animals. They also sell a motion-activated sprayer that connects to your hose and blasts intruding animals with a frightening (but humane) spray of water when they enter its target-zone.

·   Anytime you plant flowers or a garden, it will attract wildlife. Trapping and relocating animals to try to protect your garden is only a short-term fix, because more animals will move in to take their place. Furthermore, you may be causing young animals to be orphaned by taking a parent animal away from its young.

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