Critter Proofing Your Property

GARBAGE CANS & RECYCLE BINS:

• Store in a shed or garage until needed.
• Secure garbage cans with the latch, bungee cord or a heavy stone on top.
• Put garbage and recycling outside only on the morning of pickup.

LIGHTING:

• Use motion sensor outdoor lighting to scare critters.
• Use steel wool in vents and in porch lights to prevent bee hives.

BBQ:

• Clean BBQ grills after every use and wipe exterior of BBQ from any trace of food or sauces.
• Close BBQ lid.
• Use a close-fitting BBQ cover. A loose cover may entice critters to use your BBQ arm or shelf as a nice sleeping spot.

YARD & GARDENS:

• Keep garden composting inaccessible to animals.
• Protect your vegetable garden by using wire mesh.
• Avoid using woodpiles, if possible.
• Coyote urine pellets deters rodents such as raccoons. You can buy it online or through a store that sells outdoor or garden products such as Walmart and Urban Nature Store,

RABBITS:

• Annuals – Ageratum, Campanula, Impatiens, Forget Me Nots, Scabiosa and Cineraria;
• Perennials – Achilleaa(Yarrow), Amaryllus, Aqualegia(Coral Bells), Artemesia, Aster, Tuberous Begonia, Campanula, Cyclamen, Dahlia, Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), Digitalis (Foxglove), Echinacea (Coneflower), Ferns, Gaillardia, Hemerocallis (Daylilly) Iris, Monarda (Bee Balm) and Verbena.

RACCOONS & RODENTS:

• Cinnamon & Black Pepper: Sprinkle liberally around the yard. These spices irritate a raccoons sense of smell and will quickly discourage them from foraging in your yard.
• Squash plants: The spiny vines deter animals.
• Rose Bushes: Plant a variety with a very thorny stem.
• Mint Herb: Raccoons, mice, rats, fleas, flies and ants cannot stand the smell of mint.
• Garlic Herb: Either plant your own, or if you’re impatient you can squish many garlic cloves and leave them at the entrance of your garden.
• Daffodils:  Deters mice, gophers, voles, squirrels, dogs, cats, raccoons.

BUGS & FLIES:

• Tanacetum Genus (also known as Tansy, Feverfew or Phyrethrum). Repels moths, flies, ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, mites, bedbugs and mice with its strong smell. Plant around doorways
• Lavender. Repels flies and silverfish fleas.

Need help or advise with a pesky problem, try these third-party resources:

• Animal Control Oakville
• Halton Wildlife
• City Wildlife Control
• Oakville Wildlife Control