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Wildlife in Your Garden

electric fence in wooded area surrounding a fruit orchard
Electric Fence Around Fruit Trees

Nashville, Ark. –


How can I keep those pesky animals out of my garden?

This time of year, many of us begin to plan our garden. When planning, we often forget to include a way to keep the wildlife out of our garden. No matter how hard you work tilling the soil, watering, and keeping disease out, if you cannot keep the wildlife out it is a lot of hard work for little reward.

Wildlife are very common in our area with deer being one of the leading problems we hear about in Howard County. Armadillos and groundhogs are a few other varmints that could cause you problems in your garden that you might go ahead and prepare for.

 

Here are three options to help keep wildlife out of your garden and keep all the goodies for yourself.

  • One option to use to protect your garden is the Two Layer Electric Fence Design. This option has shown much success for a local producer. By modifying this design, the producer has not only been able to keep deer out, but he also has been able to keep small nuisance animals away as well. A fact sheet on electric fencing.

  • Information in University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture fact sheets can also be an option for small nuisance animals. One fact sheet that has a lot of information on armadillos. You can come by our office and we can help you locate these.

  • Feral hogs are an issue with many people in our area. Howard County has been chosen as part of a pilot program and we now have a Feral Swine Technician. He is part of Mine Creek Conservation District; so, if you notice feral hogs being a problem, he is a great contact. Signs to look for that might indicate you have feral hogs are rooting, tracks, wallows, nests, or beds, trees, and post rubs. More information on Feral hogs is available.

For more information on protecting your garden from wildlife, you can send an email to shorn@uada.edu. Howard County Extension office is still working and is there for all the residences in Howard County during this time. 

By Samantha Horn
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Samantha Horn
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
421 N. Main Nashville AR 71852
(870) 845-7517
shorn@uada.edu

Additional Resources

 

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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