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Deer
Deer can turn from a welcome visitor to a nuisance when they devour your landscaping or crops. Fencing them out may be the most effective option, though this can be costly. There are several commercial deer repellents available and home remedies such as spraying plants with raw eggs have been known to work. Deer can also be discouraged by scaring them with lights or music hooked to a motion sensor . You can also use "deer resistant" plants in your landscape. Details on these options, including a list of deer resistant plants, is available in a fact sheet prepared by the WSU
Master Gardener Program.
Elk
Elk can damage crops, forest seedlings and landscape plants and can also damage livestock fences. Methods for controlling elk are similar to those for deer. Fencing can be effective so long as it is strong enough. Tree tubes, netting or wire can be used to protect individual plants or seedlings. Commercial repellents can be applied to plants to discourage foraging.
Bear
There is a small population of bears in Spokane County. Removing or properly securing items that attract bear are the best ways to keep them from coming too close. These items include garbage, pet or livestock food, bird feeders, compost, barbeque grills and even fruit trees. The Center for Wildlife Information provides several guidelines for bear-proofing your property.
Beaver
Beaver are fairly common in the streams and wetlands of Spokane County. While beavers provide many benefits, they can cause tree damage and flooding. Learn more about beavers and how to control them from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
skunk
As with other wildlife, skunk can be attracted to your home by the opportunity to forage on garbage, pet food, bird seed, poultry and other small livestock. Skunk may also seek out a place to den, such as under the house or in a shed. The best way to avoid an unwanted encounter is to remove or secure the attracting items and seal up any ground-level openings and keep all doors closed, particularly at night.
Wasps, Hornets and Yellowjackets
Hornets and yellowjackets are both wasps. While often seen as a nuisance or danger, wasps are beneficial because they eat many pests, such as aphids and slugs. Learn more about their benefits and methods to control them from the WSU Master Gardener Program.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can pose a serious health risk to humans and animals by spreading diseases such as the West Nile Virus. The best control method is to eliminate breeding sites - any source of standing water. These can include livestock troughs, bird baths, empty flower pots and holes in trees. Mosquitoes can also be controlled through the use of insects or animals that feed on mosquitoes or their larvae, including frogs and dragonflies, or through the use of chemicals. Several resources are available to help you deal with mosquitoes:
Insects, bugs and slugs
Most insects, bugs and slugs are considered pests. But many insects can be helpful in controlling pesty populations by eating insects or their eggs. The WSU Master Gardener Program is an excellent resource to help you identify and control pests in your garden.
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