Q: Rabbits are eating many of my emerging spring plants. What can I do?

A: According to Irene Shonle, Gilpin County Extension Director, mammals are generally discouraged by plants that are very aromatic, have prickles and/or spines, tough leathery leaves, milky sap or are toxic. They are more drawn to tender, newly transplanted plants. Larger plants are able to survive nibbling better than smaller plants, so if you buy plants you might consider buying larger containers.

Shonle cautions to read all labels very carefully on any repellent products. What repels one animal doesn’t mean it will rebuff others. Finally, she recommends chicken wire fencing, hardware cloth or flexible netting buried four to eight inches deep, and at least two feet high to surround plants you want to protect. Chain link fence is of little value as small rabbits can slip through.

Remember that rabbits crave protection, so reducing or removing brush piles will cause them to be vulnerable to predators. Although there is no such thing as “rabbit proof” plants (they sample almost anything), they will settle on definite preferences. Groundcover choices listed in Fact Sheet #7.413 include wooly yarrow, lady’s mantle, rockcress, basket of gold, pinks, candytuft, snow in summer, creeping phlox and penstemon. This Fact Sheet can be found at ext.colostate.edu.

Q: Deer are a problem in my yard. What can I do?

A: The most practical management strategy is to select plants unattractive to deer, treat the targeted plants with deer repellents, or use netting, tubing and/or fencing (8 feet high minimum) to protect plants. Fact Sheet #6.520, found at ext.colostate.edu gives extensive information on these management strategies, as well as a list of flowers, vines, trees and shrubs that are rarely browsed by deer. Choices from this list tend to be native flowers and shrubs, including yarrow, thyme, coneflower, lavender, gaillardia, Apache plume, blue mist spiraea, mountain mahogany and potentilla. Rarely browsed trees include Douglas fir, pinon and hawthorn.
The use of repellent as a strategy works via taste or odor. Research at CSU determined that high concentrations of Hot Sauce Animal Repellent, Deer Away, coyote urine, and a solution of one part fresh chicken eggs mixed with four parts water are some of the most effective repellents. Keep in mind that rainfall or watering will reduce a repellent’s efficacy. The commonly heard “soap on a rope” (tallow-based) hung from trees actually does work in some cases, but showed a lower efficacy than the above mentioned solutions. For miscellaneous wildlife issues and more detailed information, visit ext.colostate.edu where over 20 different animal “pest” problems are discussed with solutions.

Q: I’ve caught ‘whiffs’ of skunk this past week and I think one may be living under my deck. I’ve also noticed digging in my strawberry beds. What can I do?

A: Skunk digging usually results in small three to four inch cone-shaped holes or patches of upturned earth, which can damage tender garden plants. Although skunks are nocturnal and reclusive, they can carry rabies. Mothballs in cloth bags or ammonia-soaked cloths placed under your deck are shown as effective repellents. If this method fails, do not call a Larimer County Animal Control Officer, as they do not remove nuisance wildlife (only injured, ill or truly orphaned). The Humane Society does offer free wildlife advice: call 226-3647 x322 or check their website: larimerhumane.org/content/blogcategory/35/45/ for humane wildlife solutions.

If sprayed by a skunk, Fact Sheet #6.500 states that “Alkaline hydrogen peroxide is a very effective deodorizing solution consisting of one quart 3% hydrogen peroxide (from a drugstore), 1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and one teaspoon liquid soap.” It is one of the best solutions to help eliminate odor on pets, people, clothing or residential areas that have been sprayed. Pets bathed with alkaline hydrogen peroxide should be rinsed thoroughly with tap water. A solution of 2% vinegar and 98% water may also help eliminate odor from pets, clothing, and possessions.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  August 4, 2008