December is a great time to plant winter bulbs for the coming year – but all of these bulbs can be disturbed, especially by squirrels searching for a winter snack
Garden enthusiasts are being encouraged to place a bar of soap in their gardens this winter – but it’s not for cleanliness purposes. While summer is often associated with garden pests, the winter months can be equally challenging for those trying to maintain their green spaces free from intrusive or even invasive creatures.
Even during the colder months, squirrels, rats, mice and foxes can all wreak havoc on a garden. Although mostly harmless, these animals can dig holes in lawns, gnaw through young trees, unearth winter-planted bulbs, damage plant pots and leave unsanitary droppings behind.
December is actually an ideal time to plant winter bulbs for the upcoming year, such as broad beans, onions, garlic and lettuce, reports the Express. However, these bulbs can be disturbed, particularly by squirrels looking for a winter treat.
A bar of soap, however, is a trick that gardeners swear by. If you grate or shred a bar of soap and scatter it around your garden, the scent of the soap is enough to deter some pests like squirrels, mice, rats and even deer, if you’re located in an area wild enough to attract them.
House Digest pointed out the efficacy of using soap as a natural deterrent for pesky animals, mentioning: “Some animals have sensitive noses, and the smelly scent of a fresh bar of soap could be enough to keep them out of your plants. In this case, the more pungent soap, the better – so look for something like Irish Spring that is known for its potent scent. Opt for fresher soap, too: the longer it sits out, the more it loses that initial powerful aroma. If your bar’s scent seems to be fading, cut it into chunks to release more fragrance.”
Further supporting this method, GardeningKnowHow suggests repurposing soap scraps as a defense against both smaller insects and larger creatures stating: “Got a deer problem? What about mice? Gather up those strong-smelling soap shards and place them in a mesh bag or old tights that you can easily hang from trees in the garden, or around its perimeter.”
They also note: “Deer tend to avoid areas with fragrant soap. Likewise, you can keep mice away by placing pieces of soap in areas of the garden you want them to steer clear of. Sprinkling soap shavings in garden spaces is also said to help keep a number of insect pests from feeding on your plants.”
