If you live in the country or close to a wooded area, your garden is probably being ravaged by squirrels, deer, and other critters. Although it’s nice to have these little guys around, they tend to destroy gardens and other vegetation that we work hard on throughout the year.
Protecting your garden from pests without using harmful chemicals is a common concern for many gardeners looking for natural alternatives. Fortunately, there are effective, inexpensive, and eco-friendly solutions that can help you safeguard your plants while keeping the environment safe. One surprising and effective solution is Irish Spring Soap, which has become a popular household hack for repelling animals in gardens and beyond. (If you’re curious about more creative ways to use Irish Spring Soap around your home, take a look at these unexpected Irish Spring Soap uses.)
You may be thinking, “What?! Irish Spring Soap?” And I wouldn’t blame you. However, many people swear by placing this unsuspecting ingredient around their gardens because animals absolutely hate the smell. And once it rains, the smell becomes even more pungent. There are several uses for Irish Spring Soap in the garden, ranging from repelling deer and squirrels to keeping insects away from plants. In fact, some homeowners even use it to keep pests out of their RVs and trailers during storage.
To make your own deer and other critter deterrent, you will need:
12 bars of Irish Spring Soap
A knife
6 mesh pouches or pieces of cheesecloth
6 wooden stakes (that stick at least 2-3′ off the ground)
A staple gun
Using the knife, carefully cut up the bars of soap into small pieces. Once you’re done, fill each of the mesh pouches or pieces of cheesecloth with the soap pieces. Use the staple gun to attach the pouches to the wooden stakes. You want the stakes to form a sort of perimeter or barrier around your garden or whatever vegetation you are aiming to protect.
And that’s it! You can keep pesky critters from munching on your plants without spending a ton of money or using cruel methods. Big thanks to Tip Hero for sharing this clever idea!
