How to Deter a Small Animal From Digging in Newly Planted Impatiens
- 1). Erect a fence around your garden using tight wire and fencing stakes. Space the fencing stakes every 5 feet, and pound them into the ground. Roll the wire across the stakes and secure with zip ties. Choose a wire such as rabbit wire that has holes small enough to keep small animals away. Ensure the wire is flush to the ground to prevent small animals from squeezing under. This type of fencing is easily removed at the end of the season.
- 2). Spread chicken wire across the garden before planting the impatiens. Cover the chicken wire with about 1 inch of soil, and secure it in place around the edges using tent pegs or heavy rocks. Plant the impatiens between the holes in the wire. Animals are quickly deterred from digging when they dig on the wire.
- 3). Spray a repellent around the impatiens or directly on them, depending on the type of repellent used. Different repellents are available, depending on what type of animal you are repelling. Chipmunk, groundhog and dog repellents are examples of what is available.
- 4). Get a cat or dog to help keep small animals away. Most invaders won't bother a garden if a cat or dog calls it home. However, some cats and dogs also dig in impatiens beds, so it's important that they be supervised or under you control.
- 5). Set a live trap for limited small animals that keep returning. Consult with your local agricultural office to find out the trap-and-release regulations and then follow them. Set the animals free in a similar environment, far from human traffic. Moles, voles, squirrels, groundhogs, skunks and raccoons can be trapped.