Hi everyone, Susan here! As a seasoned gardener, I know the joy of nurturing a thriving garden. But there’s nothing more disheartening than discovering your precious plants ravaged by pesky critters, especially those that operate under the cloak of night.

Yes, just like us, some pests prefer to dine in the evening. Identifying these nocturnal nibblers and implementing effective deterrents can be tricky, but don’t worry! I’m here to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to safeguard your garden from these stealthy invaders.

Unmasking the Culprits: Common Nocturnal Garden Pests

A diverse cast of characters emerges from the shadows when the sun dips below the horizon, each with a penchant for specific plants in your garden.

1. The Hungry Herbivores

• Deer: These graceful yet voracious eaters can decimate a garden overnight, leaving behind ragged edges on leaves and a trail of uneaten stems.
• Rabbits: Don’t let their cute appearance fool you; rabbits can quickly devour your leafy greens and tender shoots, leaving behind telltale 45-degree angled cuts.
• Groundhogs: These burrowing bandits are notorious for their insatiable appetites, targeting a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
• Raccoons: These masked marauders are highly intelligent and dexterous, known for their love of sweet corn, berries, and grubs, often leaving a messy trail of destruction.
• Opossums: While primarily scavengers, opossums won’t hesitate to munch on fallen fruits, vegetables, and even newly planted seedlings.
• Skunks: These pungent pests are less interested in your plants and more attracted to grubs and insects residing in the soil, but their digging can still damage roots.

2. The Invertebrate Invaders

• Cutworms: These plump caterpillars are notorious for their stealthy nighttime attacks, often severing young plants at the base. Tomatoes are a particular favorite.
• Asiatic Garden Beetles: These brown beetles emerge at dusk to feast on leaves, leaving behind large, irregularly shaped holes along the edges.
• Slugs and Snails: These slimy critters leave a glistening trail as they glide through your garden, rasping holes in leaves and leaving behind unsightly damage.
• Earwigs: These nocturnal scavengers hide during the day and emerge at night to feed on decaying plant matter, but they can also damage seedlings and soft fruits.

Effective Strategies to Deter Nocturnal Garden Pests

Now that you have an idea of who might be wreaking havoc in your garden, let’s explore some proven strategies to deter these nighttime nibblers:

1. Physical Barriers

• Fencing: Erecting a sturdy fence around your garden is the most effective way to exclude larger pests like deer and rabbits. Ensure the fence is tall enough and buried deep enough to prevent them from jumping over or digging under.
• Row Covers: Lightweight fabric row covers offer a protective barrier against insects and small animals, allowing light and air to penetrate while shielding your plants.
• Collars: Cutworm collars, made from cardboard or plastic, can be placed around the base of vulnerable plants to prevent cutworms from reaching the stems.

2. Repellents

• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These sprinklers detect movement and release a sudden burst of water, effectively deterring animals like deer and rabbits.
• Scent Deterrents: Sprinkling strong-smelling substances like garlic, peppermint oil, or predator urine around your garden can discourage animals