Keep Out Yard Pests

16 proven solutions from a pro

Discourage unwanted visitors with these 16 tips from a pro.

There are hundreds of ways to deal with yard pests. But what works and what doesn’t? For expert guidance, we talked with Derrick Benz, who battles pests every day, all day (and wins!). He told us that few solutions work every time. Sometimes, small deterrents are enough. If you just make food or shelter a little harder to find, critters will often move to friendlier areas. But if animals are especially hungry or stubborn, you may have to try several solutions. Here are some of the strategies that have worked the best for Derrick.

1 Lock down your trash

Raccoons are especially good at opening trash cans, but a bungee cord is usually enough to foil them. Also deal with trash odor. Garbage may smell bad to you, but to many pests it smells like dinner. Put trash in plastic bags and seal them. If your trash can is dirty, wash it out with soap and water.

2 Pick up nuts and fruit

Lots of animals love nuts and fruit. Removing these treats while they’re on the tree usually isn’t practical. But gathering fallen apples or raking up nuts is an effective way to send critters elsewhere for dinner.

3 Eliminate hiding places

Small animals seek out hiding places—in open spaces, they feel exposed to predators. So trim the shrubs around your foundation. Also check around your property for any other hiding spots, like wood piles, and move them away from your house.

4 Let your dogs out

Animals are less likely to come near your yard if they know a potential predator is around. Your dog may show you where the invaders are hiding out—and leave scents that ward off unwanted visitors.

5 Kill off clover

Clover isn’t the worst weed in most lawns, but Derrick says it’s one of the most attractive to rabbits and deer. There are a few ways to eliminate clover, but the best defense is healthy grass.

6 Cut the grass

Tall grass in a neglected lawn isn’t just an eyesore; it makes an attractive haven for insects and rodents. Even if those grass dwellers don’t bother you outdoors, some will find their way into your house. They’ll also attract predators that you may not want in your yard.

7 Contain compost

Uncovered grass or leaves are fine, but any compost that contains food scraps needs a pest-proof container or cover. Otherwise, you’re inviting animals to a feast.

8 Install plastic predators

Plastic owls often scare off rodents. The key is to mount them up high, usually on the roof or in a tree— that’s where animals expect to see predatory birds. You can get a plastic owl for $20 or less online.