Kangaroos are incredible wild creatures and simply observing them in their natural habitat is an enjoyable experience. However, kangaroos in the garden can be more of a nuisance than a pleasure due to their grazing habits. They will eat almost anything, from prized roses to carefully tended vegetables. Kangaroo control methods vary from gardener to gardener, but you can deter the animals without resorting to shooting or poisoning them. Read on for some tips on how to control kangaroos in your garden.
How to control kangaroos
Gardeners in Australia and similar regions have to deal with all types of wildlife. Kangaroo control is a popular topic on forums and even the government has weighed in with advice on how to repel these large marsupials. Kangaroos will easily jump a 6-foot fence and are attracted to all the interesting and diverse flora in an ornamental or produce garden. Its broad herbaceous diet encompasses many species of both native and introduced plants. They are especially attracted to the vegetable garden and can decimate unprotected young plants before they reach productivity.
There are many strategies implemented to minimize ‘roo’ damage in the garden. Some landowners actually place food at a distance from the garden to keep the animals happy so they don’t need to forage in the home landscape. Others erect enormously high fences with minimal success. Kangaroo sprays and deterrents abound, but success is limited and often part of folklore.
There are many commercialized deterrent oils and sprays available, but the general consensus is that they are not worth the money and offer as much protection as snake oil. Using sonic shields or scattering blood or bones in the garden are common home remedies for the problem. The former appears to have some effectiveness, while the latter is a smelly affair that may simply attract other wildlife.
Easy chicken wire covers over beds, sturdy stakes to support plants from heavy marsupial trampling, and even purchased protectors to cover young plants until they are self-sufficient are more useful kangaroo control methods. The most important step is to protect young plants in their first year, as they are tender and attractive and cannot recover from a kangaroo feast as well as established specimens.
Plants that are not appetizing to kangaroos
An obvious way to control kangaroos is to install plants that they do not find attractive. They may be prickly, have a strong aroma, or have fuzzy or sticky leaves. Woody plants also do not seem to be part of their diet, as they are difficult to eat.
Gum leaves are unpleasant to kangaroos in the garden and work well in regions where these large marsupials roam. Other excellent options are:
- eucalyptus
- bottle brush
- paper bark
- Grevillea
- acacia
- Devil Pins
- snake bush
Strongly scented herbs or shrubs offer beautiful native alternatives that do not seem to attract these wild animals and include:
- emu bush
- red boronia
- Swan River Myrtle
- Daphne
- mint bush
- Geraldton wax bush
Constant vigilance is necessary when dealing with kangaroos damage. Having a dog can be an easy way to control kangaroos, unless Rover is such a nice canine that he simply befriends the Roos. In general, purchased repellents are not considered effective. Planning a garden that minimizes plants attractive to kangaroos and using easy covers during early plant development appears to be the easiest, safest and most productive way to decrease damage and, at the same time, at the same time, allowing you to enjoy these fun marsupials.