Keeping Voles, Squirrels, and Deer Out of Your Vegetable Garden

Deer: Fencing Is Essential

Repellents wash off and require constant reapplication. A 7–8 ft tall woven-wire or electric fence is the only reliable long-term solution.

Voles: Encourage Natural Predators

• Cats are excellent vole hunters at night.
• Remove dense ground cover near beds.
• Use hardware cloth (¼-inch mesh) buried 6 inches around beds.

Squirrels: Exclusion & Habitat Modification

• Don’t plant near trees or fences they can jump from.
• Dogs and cats deter squirrels from the property.
• Wrap tree trunks with 2-ft wide aluminum flashing 4–5 ft up.

General Advice

Consult your local garden center—they know regional pest pressure and effective products. Buy from them to build a relationship for ongoing support.