7 Homemade Wildlife and Pest Control Hacks to Try on Your Farm

Trying to keep wildlife and other pests away from your farmland and your animals this summer? Successful Farming and All Around The Homestead have seven homemade hacks that are ready to try.

Fence Fasteners

I have to fence in my gardens to keep deer, rabbits, porcupines, and other animals from grazing. To keep the fence tight at the bottom, I make stakes from metal hangers.

–L.M., Maine

No Wasps

To keep wasps and bees from building nests in the electrical boxes on your farm, put one livestock fly ear tag in each box. It will keep bugs away for about six months.

–J.M., Texas

Minty Mice

Do you have a problem with mice or rats getting into your animal feed bags? Simply rub a bit of peppermint essential oils onto the perimeter of the sack. Rodents steer clear of this smell!

–J.J., Virginia

Nature’s Pest Control

Poison and trapping weren’t controlling the gophers in my alfalfa field, so I made some perches for owls and hawks. With a place to roost, owls and hawks control gophers and ground squirrels for about 50 yards around each perch. The badgers’ food supply is gone, too.

 —T.P., Iowa

Suet Holder

We were plagued with blue jays stealing the suet from our feeder, so my husband added chains around the rain dome, making it harder for the blue jays to fly in and out. It seems to be working; the young woodpeckers appreciate the extra help!

–L.Z., Pennsylvania

Duck House Baffle

Protect wood duck eggs from predators by repurposing a Christmas tree stand as a baffle. Simply cut a hole in the bottom of the stand, slip the stand on a timber pole, and secure it in place with eyebolts. Fill any gaps with spray insulation.

–R.D., Texas

Rustic Feeding Station

Want to create a natural wildlife feeding environment or a place to display seasonal decorations? The materials may be close by. Timber a dead tree trunk or straight limb and plant it into a deep hole. Trim branches for hanging feeders, suet, or corncobs. 

–R.W., Indiana