Goats are notorious for being voracious eaters; they are notorious for having an appetite for all things green, including potted plants, fruits such as strawberries, and all varieties of vegetables. If you have goats in your neighborhood, you need to set boundaries so that the goats do not encroach on your mini garden and devour your plants. It is painful and I can relate.
There are few options available for you to keep goats away from your yard, one of which is having some repellent plants and spray that naturally deter goats from coming into your yard. Here are a few plants that you can have around your property to keep goats away completely; these plants repel goats through their smell, taste, and appearance
Plants That Can Keep Goats Away From Your Property
There are some plants that goats do not eat because of the bitter taste or texture of their leaves. Here are some suggestions for plants that will help protect your garden against hungry goats:
Hydrangea
The white hydrangea is one of the most popular plants that repel goats and insects around the yard due to its smell and taste. This plant grows with large flower heads on new wood, and its flowers begin to bloom at the end of the new growth. Its blooms last throughout the summer and fall, making it an excellent plant for the front yard. Its size and shape make it ideal for a hedge, or as a front-door greeting.
Lavender
Another plant for repelling neighbor goats is lavender. Lavender is another herb that goats hate. Plant lavender in your garden in order to deter goats from eating your vegetables and ornamental plants, and they can be discouraged by the sweet, herbal scent. Try placing the plant next to your vegetables or other plants.
Mullein
Mullein is an excellent plant for keeping goats away. Goats are deterred by the intense aroma of this mullein and the bitter taste of its leaves and stems. Though, the plant’s flowers are used as a medicinal herb for humans. The leaves and stems are used in skin and respiratory ailments.
Sage
Sage is a perennial plant that can grow up to three feet tall. It can be used as an ornamental plant; sage also has great uses for repelling goats around your property. Goats hate the smell of sage and will avoid it at all costs. The best part about using sage is that once you’ve planted it, it will grow year after year without needing much maintenance or care.
Yew Tree
Another great plant to keep goats away is the yew tree. This small green shrub has needles that can stop the heart in seconds. Don’t plant it near goat bushes or goats, as they’ll likely trample it with their hooves. This is why goats and other pets avoid going close the yew tree.
Thorny Bushes
Plant thorny bushes around the perimeter of your garden or yard, then put some netting over those bushes so that any goat trying to get through will get tangled up in it instead. This method is great for keeping out small animals like rabbits and cats as well as larger ones like deer and goats.
Repellent Spray For Keeping Goats Out of Your Property
Aside from planting trees to keep goats away, you can use repellent sprays to keep them away from your garden or yard. Here are some of the best repellants for keeping goats out of your property, they are safe and do not cause any detrimental effects to the goats and he environment:
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is an effective repellent for a variety of animals, including goats. Goats find peppermint smell unpleasant, and it masks the source of their food. You can use a goat-repellent spray like I Must Garden Outdoor Yard Spray to keep goats away from your property. This repellent is not specifically designed for goats, but it can be effective in other ways as well.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is available in essential oil. Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil is an excellent option. You can make a homemade spray by adding 20 drops of oil to two cups of water. You can spray it around your yard to keep goats away from your property.
Other Ways to Deter Your Neighbor Goats Away
We have discussed the plants you can have in your yard as well as repellent sprays you can apply around your property to keep goats away. Other traditional ways you can adopt to deter goats around your property are:
Consider Goat Fencing
One of the most effective ways to keep them out is to fence in the area that you want to protect from the goats. This can be done with a wooden fence, chicken wire, barbed wire, electric fence, or any other type of fencing material. They can also open gates. The best goat fencing is either welded-wire.
Put Up A Warning Sign
You could try putting up signs that say “goats not allowed”; this will alert your neighbors and other goat owners in your neighborhood to tether their goats to their property. To do this, use large signs that are easy to spot. Don’t use small signs that may get buried in grass or other foliage. You don’t want someone’s goat getting lost because he or she couldn’t find the sign telling him or her he or she is trespassing.
Use of Dogs
If you have dogs at home already (or even if not), consider getting some guard dogs from a local shelter or breeder who can help keep unwanted animals away from your property without harming them physically or emotionally. Dogs are good for this kind of job; goats would not even bother to come close to a dog mounting your yard.
Lastly, goats can be really frustrating when they can encroach on your property. The most effective way of getting goats out of your neighbor’s goats away is to use fencing. Although it is expensive, Fencing will prevent the goats from getting into your yard or garden. It will also prevent other animals such as dogs and cats from entering as well.