Gardening in Alaska offers the chance to cultivate a wide variety of plants, but the unique ecosystem also presents a range of challenges, including garden pests. From moose to voles, Alaskan critters are notorious for nibbling on plants, destroying crops, and wreaking havoc on gardens. Fortunately, with the right critter control strategies, you can protect your plants while maintaining an eco-friendly, sustainable approach to pest management.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to safeguard your garden from common Alaskan pests and implement effective critter control methods. By understanding which pests pose the biggest threats and adopting preventative measures, you can enjoy a thriving garden without constant worries about uninvited guests.
Know Your Pests: Identifying Common Alaskan Critters
Understanding the types of pests that frequent your area is the first step in critter control. Alaska’s wildlife is diverse, and each type of pest requires specific strategies to deter them from munching on your plants.
Moose
Moose are one of Alaska’s most significant critter control challenges. With their towering height and enormous appetites, moose can easily destroy gardens in a single visit, feasting on shrubs, trees, and vegetables. They’re especially drawn to plants like willows, birches, and aspen.
Voles
Voles are small, burrowing rodents that can be devastating to gardens. They feed on roots, bulbs, and bark, often causing significant damage to plants during the winter months when food is scarce.
Squirrels and Rabbits
Both squirrels and rabbits enjoy snacking on vegetables, fruits, and young plants. These small critters can be difficult to spot initially, but their damage becomes apparent when plants show signs of nibbling or missing foliage.
Birds
Birds, such as ravens and magpies, often raid gardens for seeds and berries. While they may not cause as much visible damage as larger critters, they can still reduce crop yields.
Insects
Though larger critters are a primary concern, insects like aphids, caterpillars, and beetles can also damage gardens in Alaska. Organic methods of insect control will help protect your plants without harming the local environment.
Fencing: The First Line of Defense
Fencing is one of the most effective forms of critter control, particularly for larger pests like moose and rabbits. However, not all fences are created equal, so it’s important to select the right type for your specific garden needs.
Moose-Proof Fencing
To keep moose out of your garden, a fence needs to be tall—at least 8 feet high. Moose can easily step over or knock down lower fences. Use sturdy materials like steel or high-tensile wire and ensure that the fence is well-anchored into the ground to prevent the moose from pushing through.
Small Animal Fencing
A shorter but well-constructed fence can be sufficient for critters like voles, squirrels, and rabbits. Chicken wire or mesh fencing can help keep these animals out. To prevent digging pests from burrowing under the barrier, bury the bottom of the fence at least 6 inches underground.
Repellents: Non-Lethal Critter Control Methods
Natural repellents can be an effective and humane way to deter pests from entering your garden without harming them.
Moose Repellents
Moose have a strong sense of smell, and certain odors can discourage them from entering your garden. Consider planting strongly scented herbs like lavender, garlic, or onions around the perimeter of your garden. You can also try using commercial moose repellents, which often contain ingredients like rotten eggs, garlic oil, or hot pepper extract.
Vole and Rabbit Repellents
Repellents for smaller critters like voles and rabbits often include natural ingredients such as castor oil or predator urine. These animals rely heavily on scent to navigate, so disrupting their sense of smell can keep them at bay. Sprinkle repellent granules or sprays around the base of plants and along potential entry points.
Homemade Bird Repellents
For birds, reflective objects like old CDs, aluminum foil strips, or wind chimes can serve as effective deterrents. The reflection and movement scare them away from crops. Alternatively, you can use bird netting to cover fruit-bearing plants and bushes.
Garden Design: Using Planting Strategies for Critter Control
Incorporating specific planting strategies can naturally deter pests from invading your garden.
Companion Planting
Companion planting involves growing certain plants together to naturally repel pests. For example, planting marigolds, garlic, or mint around the edges of your garden can help keep insects, rabbits, and voles away. These plants emit strong scents that deter unwanted critters while promoting the health of your crops.
Raised Beds
Raised garden beds can make it more difficult for small critters like voles and rabbits to reach your plants. By elevating your garden and using materials like stone or wood for the beds, you add an extra barrier that pests must overcome to access your plants.
Strategic Plant Placement
Planting less-desirable species around the perimeter of your garden can act as a natural barrier against larger pests like moose. Hardy, thorny shrubs such as wild roses or raspberry bushes can discourage moose from wandering into your garden.
Traps and Barriers: Physical Critter Control Solutions
Sometimes, physical barriers or traps are necessary to manage particularly persistent critters.
Vole and Squirrel Traps
Live traps can be used to capture voles, squirrels, and rabbits without harming them. Place these traps in areas where you’ve noticed frequent pest activity and release the critters far from your garden.
Tree Guards
Voles and rabbits often gnaw on the bark of young trees, causing irreparable damage. Tree guards made of wire mesh or plastic can be placed around the base of trees to prevent these animals from chewing on the bark.
Bird Netting
Invest in bird netting to protect fruit-bearing bushes from birds. This lightweight mesh can be draped over plants to keep birds from accessing fruits and vegetables without blocking sunlight or airflow.
Predators: Nature’s Critter Control
Encouraging natural predators is an eco-friendly way to manage pest populations. Many animals that prey on garden pests can help you maintain a healthy balance in your garden.
Attracting Beneficial Birds
Hawks, owls, and other birds of prey can help control small rodents like voles and squirrels. Installing a birdhouse or providing open spaces for these predators to hunt can naturally reduce pest populations.
Encouraging Predatory Insects
Beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory beetles can help control aphids, caterpillars, and other harmful insects. Planting flowers like daisies, sunflowers, and yarrows can attract these insects to your garden.
Winter Prep: Protecting Your Garden Year-Round
In Alaska, critter control doesn’t end when the growing season does. Winter months often see increased vole activity as they burrow under the snow, searching for food.
Mulching and Ground Covers
In winter, voles can tunnel through thick layers of mulch to reach plant roots. To prevent this, use thin layers of mulch and avoid piling mulch directly around tree trunks or plant bases.
Hardware Cloth
Wrap the base of young trees and shrubs with hardware cloth during winter to protect them from voles and rabbits. This prevents animals from gnawing on the bark when food is scarce.
Eco-Friendly Critter Control: Sustainable Practices for Your Garden
Maintaining an eco-friendly garden is essential for preserving Alaska’s natural beauty and wildlife. Whenever possible, opt for non-toxic, organic methods of pest control. Avoid using chemical pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects, birds, and the larger ecosystem.
By using a combination of physical barriers, repellents, and natural predators, you can effectively manage pests without damaging the environment or harming wildlife.
Mastering Critter Control in Alaska
Protecting your garden from Alaskan pests may require a multifaceted approach, but with the right critter control strategies, you can create a healthy and thriving garden. Whether you’re dealing with moose, voles, rabbits, or birds, a combination of fencing, repellents, natural predators, and smart planting strategies will help safeguard your crops. By staying vigilant and adapting your methods to the specific critters in your area, you’ll enjoy a fruitful and beautiful garden all season long.
