Abating a Wild Animal Nuisance

• 1). Invest in protective fencing. Many hardware stores sell a small, plastic type of fencing to prevent wildlife from eating garden plants. Whether you have rabbits or deer invading your turf, protective fencing will provide at least a little extra coverage from munching mouths. The fencing is not all encompassing, and particularly enterprising animals may circumvent the fencing in some areas, but most of your plants will be safe.
  
  
• 2). Plant companion plants. Certain plants, such as marigolds, are natural deterrents for wild animals. Plant them along the borders of your garden, or in rows in between your plants.
  
  
• 3). Spread chemical deterrents. Hardware stores carry products specifically made to deter wild animals. Most of these products are sold in spreadable granules or pellets. Sprinkle these according to the manufacturer's directions around your plant beds.
  
  
• 4). Install a privacy type fence around the perimeter of your yard. While this is a more extreme method of dealing with wildlife, it is probably one of the most effective. Also, if you live in an area with very heavy wildlife traffic, this may be a good safety measure as well.
  
  
• 5). Install motion sensing lights. The lights will startle away wildlife when they approach the area.
  
  

Abating Domestic Animal Nuisances

• 1). Apply chemical deterrents. Hardware and pet stores both carry various sprays and granules for deterring household pets. Most commonly these deterrents are for cats, as they are the most frequent nuisance in a garden. Apply these as indicated by the manufacturer.
  
  
• 2). Install screening or foil around the plants and in between rows. The discomfort from walking on these types of surfaces will stop domestic pets from walking deep into your garden beds and making messes.
  
  
• 3). Install decorative or protective fencing around your beds, and line the fencing with chicken wire. While most domestic animals can leap a low decorative fence, they are typically deterred when they cannot simply pass through it.
  
  
• 4). Plant companion plants. Certain plants deter pets from garden bed due to their smell. Avoid planting things such as catnip, which could make your invasion problem worse. Plant the deterring plants around the perimeter of the garden beds.
  
  
• 5). Keep a hose handy. If you catch a pest in your garden while you are home, aim a spray of water at the animal. Oftentimes just making the area less enticing can help you avoid a domestic animal nuisance.
  
  

Abating Insect Nuisances

• 1). Spread insecticides. Insecticides come in sprays, granules and pellets. Apply these chemicals according to the manufacturer's specifications. Check the bag to make sure it kills the type of pest you need to kill.
  
  
• 2). Apply mineral oil to plant stems. Mineral oil is especially helpful against scale insects and aphids, as well as other insects that attack a plant's stem.
  
  
• 3). Line garden beds with salt. This is especially helpful against snails and slugs. You will have to reapply the salt after each rain.
  
  
• 4). Spray the plants lightly with white vinegar. Do this infrequently, or you could change the acidity of the soil. The vinegar will help deter flying insects as well as crawlers.