Protecting Your Garden from Wildlife: Deer, Squirrels, and More

Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.

As an avid gardener, the number one question that I get is how I keep all the critters out.

The truth is, I am very lucky to have very little animals coming into my garden. My biggest adversary is my neighbor’s cats that like to use my garden beds as a litter box, but it’s still not that big of an issue.

The fence around my garden keeps out any deer that might wander through (as I live in Utah and deer are very prevalent), and there is a field behind my townhouse without trees that decreases the number of squirrels in the area.

Despite my garden’s lack of animals, my mother-in-law lives in the foothills of the mountains, and thus has a lot of critters (specifically deer) that sneak into her yard year-round. Thus, I’ve been researching the best ways to keep critters away to help her out.

Below is a guide on strategies to deter critters from your garden. I’d love to hear what has worked well for you! Let’s get started!

Garden Protection Methods

1. Fencing

Fencing is one of the most effective ways to protect your garden from deer, squirrels, and other critters. Below I also have listed the best fencing methods for different types of animals.

Deer:

Height: Deer can jump surprisingly high, and 8-foot-tall fences are typically necessary to prevent them from leaping over.
Fencing Types:
- Plastic Mesh Fencing: Lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective.
- Wire Fencing: Use woven wire or welded wire with 2-4 inch gaps.
- Electric Fencing: Low-current wires positioned at different heights effectively deter deer.
- Wooden or Vinyl Fencing: Requires a minimum of 8 feet tall for deer. Can be aesthetic but expensive.
Why Height Matters: Deer can jump over fences of lesser height if they have a clear path. An 8-foot fence is considered the minimum to deter deer from entering.

Squirrels and Other Small Animals:

Height: Squirrels and smaller animals don’t need a very tall fence, but they are excellent climbers. The key is using small mesh and protecting the bottom of the fence.
Fencing Types:
- Mesh or Hardware Cloth Fencing: A fence with mesh no larger than 1 inch will prevent squirrels from squeezing through.
- Burying the Fence: Dig the bottom of the fence 4-6 inches into the ground to deter digging animals.
- Electric Fencing: While not always effective for squirrels alone, low-voltage fences can help deter them and larger critters.
- Plastic or Vinyl Fencing: 4 to 5 feet high with small mesh openings, buried at the bottom.
Why Height Isn’t as Important: Squirrels don’t require a high fence; they just need a fence that is difficult to climb and does not have large gaps they can fit through. Buried mesh is crucial to stop digging.

Other Critters (Raccoons, Rabbits, Skunks, etc.):

Height: For critters like raccoons, groundhogs, and skunks, a 4 to 6-foot fence should suffice, although raccoons can climb, so the fence should also be sturdy and difficult to scale.
Fencing Types:
- Woven Wire Fencing: Small holes, typically no larger than 2-3 inches, prevent larger critters from squeezing through.
- Chicken Wire: Effective for smaller animals, but ensure it’s buried a few inches to prevent burrowing.
- Electric Fencing: Can be useful for raccoons and skunks, especially when placed near the ground to deter digging.
- Plastic or Vinyl Fencing: Can be a good barrier but needs to be at least 4-6 feet tall and secure at the base.
Why Height Matters: While raccoons are known climbers, smaller critters like rabbits and skunks are more likely to dig. Buried mesh is essential for keeping them out.

2. Scent Repellents

Repelling animals with strong scents can be effective, though some may require frequent reapplication or different combinations.

Deer:

Predator Urine: Coyote, wolf, or mountain lion urine creates the impression of danger.
Garlic or Hot Pepper: Deer are sensitive to spicy and strong-smelling substances.
Rotten Eggs: Deer avoid areas that smell of decay or sulfur.
Human Hair or Dog Fur: Scatter around the garden to create a scent of unfamiliar predators. My hairdresser told me that one time a customer asked her for some hair to spread around their garden, haha.

Squirrels and Other Critters:

Cayenne Pepper: Squirrels dislike the heat of chili peppers.
Peppermint Oil: Squirrels and other critters tend to avoid minty scents.
Garlic: Works on both squirrels and rabbits.
Castor Oil: Commonly used for repelling critters.
Soap Shavings: Some gardeners use soap bars, such as Irish Spring, to repel rabbits and squirrels.
Blood Meal: Its strong, pungent smell works to deter squirrels and deer.

Additional Scents That Repel Animals:

Lavender: Squirrels and deer dislike lavender’s strong fragrance.
Chili Powder: An effective repellent for both squirrels and rabbits.
Cinnamon: Works well to deter squirrels and other small mammals.
Eucalyptus: Known to deter deer, squirrels, and rabbits.
Rosemary: A scent deer and rabbits avoid, making it a good plant to include in your garden for natural pest control.
Vinegar: Strong-smelling vinegar can be used around garden perimeters to keep deer and rabbits at bay.
Clove Oil: Effective at repelling squirrels, mice, and rabbits.

3. Motion-Activated Devices

Devices that detect movement and then activate a response can be used for both deer and small animals.

Deer: Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle deer away.
Squirrels and Other Critters: Motion-activated sprinklers are effective for squirrels, and ultrasonic devices emit sounds that only animals can hear.

4. Sound and Visual Deterrents

Sometimes, making noise or adding visual stimuli to your garden can help scare away animals.

Squirrels and Other Critters: Reflective tape, shiny objects (such as CDs), and fake predators can also deter squirrels. Placing them in high-visibility spots where animals are likely to pass by can help keep them away.
Deer: Wind chimes, decoys like fake owls, and reflective tape are commonly used. These visual and auditory distractions help scare deer.

5. Planting Location and Companion Planting

Strategic planting can help discourage animals from entering your garden.

Deer: Plant near human activity or buildings to deter deer. They tend to stay away from areas where they feel vulnerable.
Squirrels and Other Critters: Keep your garden closer to structures to prevent easy access for small critters. Companion plants like garlic, lavender, and marigolds can repel animals.

6. Dog or Pet Presence

Having a dog or other animals around can deter deer and smaller critters alike.

7. Trap and Relocate

If other methods aren’t effective, you can use humane traps to capture and relocate animals.

Deer: Trapping is often not a practical solution for deer due to their size and the legality of relocation in many areas.
Squirrels and Other Critters: Use humane traps to catch squirrels or raccoons and relocate them according to local guidelines.

Detailed Fencing Information

Fencing is an important investment to deter animals from entering your garden. Here are detailed explanations for why fence height and mesh size matter for different types of animals:

Guide to Build a Fence for Keeping Deer and Other Critters Out

I recently built a garden for my mother-in-law, who lives in the foothills where deer and other critters are frequent visitors. To protect it, I built a fence—and here’s how.

Preparation:

Plan your fence length: Start by measuring the perimeter of your garden so you know how much fencing material and how many posts you’ll need.
Buy T-posts: I used six for my setup. If you’re building a tall deer fence, I recommend either 8-foot or 10-foot T-posts. 10-foot posts work well (perhaps even better) if your soil is soft—you can drive them deep into the ground. If your soil is rocky, 8-foot posts may be easier to work with. I used a mix: 10-foot posts in soft areas, and in rocky areas, I dug holes and set 8-foot posts in concrete.
Choose your fencing material: I used a plastic mesh fencing similar to this one. You can use metal fencing instead if you want something sturdier. For added protection from smaller critters, consider attaching metal fencing along the bottom portion of your fence.

4. Buy zip ties: I recommend these UV-resistant metal zip ties to prevent wear and tear from sun exposurethe. For the door frame, I used these longer zip ties.

5. Buy/rent a staple gun and staples: I used these ½ inch staples to secure the fencing to wood where needed.

6. Get lumber for the door frame: You’ll need about five 8 – 10 foot 2x4s to build the frame and door.

7. Buy a latch and hinges. I used these ones:

8. Protect your wood: If you’re burying any part of the 2x4s for added door stability (which I recommend doing), coat the bottom with this Flex Seal here or another waterproof spray to prevent rot.

9. Get exterior screws: I recommend 3-inch exterior wood screws for building the door frame. I also used 1¼ inch screws I already had for attaching hardware—they were better quality than the ones included in the hinge pack.

Building Steps:

Pound in the T-posts: Space them evenly around the perimeter of your garden, ensuring they’re deep enough to stand firmly upright. Again, I used 6 T-Posts for a ~150 sq. ft. garden. Put two of the T-Posts 40 – 48 in. apart to create your doorway. Feel free to make the doorway larger or tighter depending on your preference.
Build the door frame: Attach two of your 8 – 10 ft. 2 x 4’s parallel to the two T-posts where you want your door to go using zip ties. Make sure it’s attached on the T-posts’ flat side. Optional: For extra stability, bury the bottoms of the 2×4’s a few inches into the ground and secure with concrete.
Attach the deer netting: Stretch your fencing material tightly across the T-Posts. Using about five zip ties per post, secure the netting from top to bottom. Leave a gap where your door will be (you will attach deer netting there later). On the door frame, use a staple gun to attach the end of the netting instead of zip ties for a cleaner, more secure fit.

4. Build the door: Cut two of your 8 – 10 ft. 2 x 4s to match your door height (my wood planks were 10 ft. 2 x 4s, and the door height was approximately 8.5 ft. tall, with about 1.5 ft. dug into the ground), and three shorter pieces for the top, middle and bottom cross-beams (again, your door should be about 40 – 48 in. wide).

5. Attach deer netting to door: Lay the door frame flat on the ground and measure the distance between the top, middle, and bottom cross-beams that will sit directly across the vertical beams. Stretch deer netting across the back of the door and staple it into place. Then attach the top, middle, and bottom cross-beams using wood screws.

6. Install the door: Attach hinges to one side of the door at an appropriate height and secure them to the door frame 2×4. Add a latch to the opposite side so the door can close securely (my latch was right on top of the middle cross-beam, pictured).

And that’s it! You have built a secure fence to keep the critters out!

If you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to check out my other gardening blog posts:

realfarmerjeff

Jeff has a deep passion for gardening. Each year, he cultivates hundreds of pounds of vegetables—along with the occasional fruit—turning his garden into a thriving and productive space. Combined with Kyrié’s cooking, together, they create exciting meals using Jeff’s harvest.