How an organic animal repellent can protect plants

Garden Making

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Plantskydd-rhodo-spray

With the good comes some bad, and with all gardens, come some pests. The (unhelpful) insect variety, of course, but also animal pests — such as deer, voles, squirrels and rabbits — that have appetites for your flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees. Many gardeners have discouraged visits from animal pests by applying the Plantskydd solution to their plants.

Hostas that have been eaten by deer. (Photos provided by Plantskydd.)

“Plantskydd repels animals before they take a bite of your plants, not after, ” says Alaya Boisvert of Tree World Plant Care Products, based in Sechelt, B.C. “It’s safe for plants, pollinators, pets and people.”

Made from natural and upcycled ingredients (dried porcine blood, vegetable oil and water), Plantskydd is the first animal repellent to be listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as suitable for use in the production of organic food. The active ingredient is specially processed porcine blood, which emits an odour that smells like predator activity.

“It’s just nature telling hungry herbivores to steer clear of plants sprayed with Plantskydd,” Boisvert says. “There is no waste in nature.”

Plantskydd (means “plant protection” and is pronounced: “plant-skid”) was developed in Sweden to protect tree seedlings in an environmentally safe way from deer and moose during Sweden’s long winters.

“It’s durable, sticks to plants and won’t wash or flake away, so it doesn’t need to be re-applied after rain or snow,” says Boisvert. “Farmers are discovering substantial yield increases that come from protecting their crops with Plantksydd.”

Although Plantskydd has its roots in Swedish silviculture, it’s now made in the U.S. and used in home gardens across Canada and the U.S.

Tree World is a family business that gives back to the community, contributing more than $155,000 in support of WaterAid’s clean water and sanitation programs in Africa since 2003.

Vole damage in a garden in late winter.

Plantskydd is not sold in big box stores, but is available at thousands of independent local garden centres.

The company also actively supports gardening clubs, Master Gardeners and sponsored events in the U.S. and Canada by providing free samples for contests, give-aways and conservation efforts. Contact [email protected] for more information.


Winners of a package of Plantskydd to protect plants

Congratulations to 10 lucky readers who have each won prizes in our draw that closed May 16, 2021. From 936 entries we made random draws. (How we make draw)

Winners are Ann C. of London, Ontario; Carlyne S. of Ottawa, Ontario; Diane J. of St. Catharines, Ontario; Ian T. of North Vancouver, British Columbia; Janet F. of Waterville, Nova Scotia; Joy R. of Toronto; Sandy I. of Toronto; Sharon R. of Fort Erie, Ontario; Susan B. of Scarborough, Ontario; and Susan J. of Algonquin Highlands, Ontario.

Prize includes a container of ready-to-use liquid spray, reusable shoulder tote, a package of bee-attracting seed and a notepad.


This article was made possible thanks to sponsorship by Tree World Plant Care Products.

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2 thoughts on “How an organic animal repellent can protect plants”

  1. I never receive an email after I enter my name and email address for the random draws. I have emailed garden making, but never receive a reply. The updates I receive from them periodically go to the email I always use, so why wouldn’t it accept my draw entry and also send a confirmation via my email address?

    Reply
    • We confirmed that her entry was received and sent a manual email. However, our confirmation emails are sent out by an automated message that sometimes are blocked by out-of-date email services.

      We suggest that you contact your email service – https://www.emypeople.net

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