Combating Garden Pests

There are many other pests and dangers to the garden and your children in addition to insects and wild animals. These are more subtle dangers that could include anything from domestic pets to unseen creatures and even chemicals.

Domestic pets
We love our dear domestic pets. Kids love to watch the puppy or dog run around in the yard, jumping and chasing its tail. But some domestic pets can destroy our garden spaces.

Dogs: Dogs love to dig and they dig in the places they want to. It can be difficult to control the dog's digging. There are several ways dogs can be controlled.

A physical barrier, such as a fence or netting, can help prevent dogs from digging in unwanted places. Most dogs will probably leave the fence and fenced-in area alone.

Feral and stray dogs can pose a danger not only to the garden itself but possibly to your kids as well. Be wary of stray dogs and teach your kids safety precautions about wild and stray animals.

Cats: Cats have varying personalities and sometimes these personalities can bring them trouble in your garden. Cats also like to dig, but they can be most destructive when they use the garden as a litter box.

Avoid planting catnip and other plants that cats adore. It will only bring them closer to your garden. Coleus is a plant that cats don't like. There are special mats you can buy that have plastic or rubber spikes that cats try to avoid. The spikes won't harm the cats, but cats don't like the feel of them on their feet.

Snakes
Snakes are beneficial, eating garden pests such as gophers, insects, mice and moles. But some can be temperamental, aggressive or poisonous. Teach children to respect snakes and keep a good distance if they should ever see one in the garden.

They will likely stay away from humans because we are not a food source. Most will simply slither on their merry way. But if cornered by a happy, curious kid, they may strike. Even snakes that are not poisonous can deliver a powerful bite. This bite can become infected due to bacteria most snakes and reptiles carry.

Humans
They stalk the garden and can trample plants that are beneficial or an important part of the garden. They can be your kids too.

Your kids may not notice that you recently planted a certain vegetable in the garden. They may not even realize it is part of the garden. Be aware of these possibilities as you plant the garden. Teaching the kids about watching their step in the garden is a good preventative measure against human destruction in the garden.

Putting up a fence is a good way to keep the kids--as well as many other pests--out of the garden.

Garden tools
Hoes, rakes and even wheelbarrows can cause injury if not properly stored or handled. Implements such as pruning shears and scissors can certainly injure a kid if they are not aware of the dangers.

Have a safe storage place for these tools and teach your kids to put away the tools once they are finished using them.

Chemicals
If you use pesticides, herbicides or other garden chemicals, beware of your kids getting into them and harming themselves.

Some chemicals are only meant for a certain type of plant, so read the labels carefully for any special warnings they may have.

Some chemicals are safe. Some are not. Make sure you and your kids know which chemicals are safe and which to avoid. Proper storage of these chemicals can prevent accidents from happening.