Today we will talk about an important topic for all of us who live with pets, or who want to protect our plants from them. We will tell you about the different ways to drive them away, the most correct way to use repellents and how often you have to apply it to keep garden plants or potted plants safe.
Both animals and plants can coexist in harmony , if you know how to choose the best method. Here are some tips for you to choose the most suitable for you.
Barriers
When we talk about barriers we refer to protecting the plant with two (or more) stakes and a grid that is used to make chicken coops. Make sure it is at least 40cm tall. Thus, no animal will be able to harm the plant, and it will be able to grow without problems.
Another “barrier” could be the one seen in the photo. If you live with a dog that loves to jump, regardless of the height of the table and/or furniture, do not hesitate, put thorny plants such as cacti “in the front row” and you will see how the problem is solved.
repellents
There are three main groups of repellents : liquid, granulated and natural.
- Liquids : are those that are applied in pots or surfaces (never on plants or animals). Ideal for its rapid effectiveness. But they must be applied for several days in a row (usually five) until the problem has been solved. For safety, make sure it has dried before you leave.
- Granulated : they are the ones that are spread around the plants. The granules have also proven to be very effective, in addition, they last longer than liquids because they do not break down easily. It should be applied once or twice a week if the problem persists. The main drawback is its price, which is usually higher than that of liquid repellents.
- Natural : made from plants, they do not harm the environment. They are slower in effectiveness, that is, they work but more in the medium term. The advantage is that if the animal decided to get too close, nothing would happen to it.
We can find a great variety of species that are natural repellents of animals. For example: citronella, rue, rosemary, lavender, garlic, citrus fruits such as lemon or orange… If you don’t want to take risks, try one of these plants (or several), putting them around the plants you want to protect, or using the essential oil diluted in water to spray the pots and/or trunks.
