When pesky critters invade, they can wreak havoc on homes and gardens. But there’s no need to resort to harsh measures. Adopting safe, humane methods can help manage these unwanted guests peacefully. Avoiding harmful chemicals not only benefits the animals but also the environment and your household. By understanding and addressing these problems, we can achieve a critter-free space.
All creatures need food, warmth and shelter, so if they don’t get it, most creatures naturally leave. Most lethal deterrents don’t work (and if they do, there are other issues). Avoid dodgy ‘natural methods’ like essential oils (some can kill wildlife but also harm pets and children, if you don’t know what you’re doing).
For the most part, deter unwelcome critters by deep-cleaning everywhere with scent-free biodegradable liquids, open the windows ajar to air, use a good vacuum cleaner and throw out old food and crumbs and fizzy drink cans etc.
If using plants to deter critters, learn how to make gardens safe for pets (includes indoor plants to avoid). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Understanding Common Household Critters
Before we get to the solutions, it’s important to understand who we’re dealing with. Different critters have different behaviours and attractions.
Mice and rats are professional scavengers. Drawn to warmth and food, they often find refuge in homes during colder months. Their sharp teeth can gnaw through almost anything, posing structural risks. But if you kill a mouse, its babies will be left behind and you’ll also never get rid of the smell.
Foxes (and owls) both eat rats, so are a good part of nature (this post includes tips to keep hens and other prey animals safe). The Fox Project runs a humane deterrence programme, you can call them for expert help and advice. The organisation offers a do-it-yourself fox deterrence consultancy focusing on simple humane methods and offers direct help over the southeast of England for sick, injured and abandoned cubs.
Humane Wildlife Solutions offers 100% humane, vegan and non-lethal alternatives to pest control, to help overcome wildlife conflict on domestic and commercial properties. This is done through repelling and deterring, instead of trapping or killing. The company offers a nationwide consultancy and runs a gull helpline (read why we should give seagulls back their natural homes).
Inventions to Humanely Deter Critters
Grazers is a nontoxic calcium spray that is used to humanely deter deer, pigeons, geese, wild rabbits and even possums abroad, by making grass unpalatable (so don’t use near pet rabbits). It’s also in larger versions for golf courses and tennis courts, and they make versions to deter garden pests including slugs and snails. Also read the post on humane deterrence for slugs and snails.
Mouse Mesh is a metal grille (don’t cover gas vents and keep it clear of leaves). It attaches to deter mice from entering homes, and there is a thicker version to deter rats! Planting peppermint, thyme, rosemary or lavender can sometimes deter rats, who don’t like the scent.
Waspinator is a brown paper bag that looks like a nest to territorial wasps, who usually won’t set up shop if they see one (wasps are important pollinators).
Picas offers expert on humane deterrence for pigeons, doves and other urban birds. Their methods work and cost less, used extensively by hospitals and council buildings.
Books on Humane Critter Deterrence
- Humane Critter Control looks at how to humanely deter nearly all creatures using protective barriers (avoid netting as it harms wildlife – or choose wildlife-friendly versions with tiny holes that don’t trap creatures), and outsmart invaders with insect behaviour knowledge.
- The Humane Gardener looks at how to welcome wildlife and deter unwelcome visitors, without harming other creatures.
- Living with Urban Wildlife is the definitive guide to deter all unwelcome visitors without harm, by expert John Bryant
- Also read how to humanely deter ants.
