Homemade Dog Repellents for Flower Beds

Having a flower bed involves a lot of effort and patience. Keeping your beautiful work protected from your dog or neighborhood dogs can take even more effort. A dog's curiosity and boredom can result into flower bed destruction. There are natural, homemade ways to prevent dogs from tearing apart your petunias and lilies.

  1. Pepper

    • Mix together black pepper and chili pepper. Grind your own mixture to create an even stronger aroma. According to Gardeningknowhow.com, capsicum in chili pepper will irritate the sensitive skin around the dog's nose. The dog will be deterred from returning to the flower bed.

    Ammonia

    • Dogs have a very heightened sense of smell and detest the fragrance of ammonia. Never apply ammonia directly to the plants in your flower bed. Always test a small area of the flower bed before using this method. Soak cotton balls in ammonia and place around the area in the flower bed you wish to repel dogs from.

    Mothballs

    • Use mothballs with caution around children. Advise children about the dangers of ingesting mothballs. They contain naphthalene, which can be dangerous but works to repel dogs. Place the mothballs around the flower bed to keep dogs away.

    Citrus

    • If some of the other homemade dog repellents are too strong smelling for your flower bed, try citrus. Citrus may be effective only on some dogs but can be a more appealing starting point. Use citrus oil or cut up a few lemons and oranges. Place these around the border of your flower beds. Try this method before your flower bed is completely full of blossoming flowers. Continue this homemade dog repellent if the test run proves to be a success.

    Vinegar

    • Vinegar is another foul-smelling agent that can keep dogs out of the flower bed. Test a small part of the garden with vinegar, and never spray directly on plants. Use small amounts or soaked cotton balls around the border of your flower bed.

    Rubbing Alcohol

    • Rubbing alcohol smells very strong and is also dangerous. Warn your children that the cotton balls are not toys or edible. Use the rubbing alcohol in the same manner as the ammonia and vinegar.