One of the biggest challenges for gardeners in the desert Southwest is protecting plants from hungry rabbits, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, javelina and, yes, even birds from above.
Physical barriers are the surest way to exclude unwanted wildlife. Chicken-wire fencing works great for rabbits, but fencing for javelina must be heavier. Hardware-cloth or woven-wire fencing with half-inch openings supported by strong posts will keep even the most determined javelina out. For rabbits, fencing should be 2 feet high. For javelina, fencing should be 3 feet or more. Ground squirrels — sometimes mistaken for chipmunks — can climb but, as a rule, don't like scaling over 2-foot-high hardware cloth.
When using chicken-wire or hardware-cloth fencing around the garden it's a good idea to bury the wire a few inches deep in the ground. That will prevent rabbits from pushing under and through the fencing. If burrowing rodents such as pocket gophers are a problem, woven-wire fencing can be placed vertically in the ground around the garden perimeter. The woven wire should extend from the soil surface down 18 inches into the ground. As pocket gophers dig their main burrows 4 to 18 inches below the soil surface, this should prevent them from digging through to the garden. Of course, fencing must also be extended above ground to exclude them.
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In addition to fencing, many home gardeners use repellents to ward off unwanted wildlife. An effective taste repellent can be made by mixing hot-pepper sauce in water and spraying it on plants. Try one tablespoon of pepper sauce per gallon of water and include a small amount of spreader sticker to keep it on the plant. If that doesn't work, increase the amount of hot-pepper sauce.
One of the best odor repellents to be introduced over the past few years is Liquid Fence. It is an organic, garlic-based product proven effective in repelling rabbits, deer and those pesky javelina. You can spray it directly on garden and landscape plants or spray a protective barrier of Liquid Fence around the garden area(s) to be protected. It's long lasting — up to three months — and is rain-fast up to 1 inch of accumulated rainfall. It's also totally safe to use on fruits and vegetables and will not harm pets or wildlife. Liquid Fence is available at nearly all garden-supply retailers.
Keeping birds out of the garden can be especially challenging. Physical barriers such as bird netting can be used, but it's essential that the netting be secured. Tacking it down to the ground under or around the plants to be covered is important. If even the smallest opening remains, birds will find their way in. Unfortunately, they're not so good at finding their way out. So, when using netting, check the cover daily so if birds are trapped, they can be let out.
If you'd rather not use netting, try the Big-Eyed Balloon. It's a brightly colored inflatable sphere with the image of a raptor's eye — to evoke fear and keep birds away. Balloons are available at most hardware and home-supply stores.
Finally, if you are attracting wildlife with bird feeders and baths, or with unintended sources of food and water outside like pet food dishes and plant saucers, you'll be attracting welcome and unwelcome wildlife alike!