The Pringle Bay Baboons Facebook Page shared helpful tips for those wanting to protect their vegetable gardens from hungry neighbours.
Western Cape, South Africa (22 April 2020) – Since the lockdown, quite a few people have taken up the hobby of growing their own vegetables. It can be rewarding work but also incredibly frustrating when things don’t go to plan, especially if you have a pesky baboon or two…
As a gardener, I can speak to the frustrations of pests. While baboons are not common garden pests, they can be in areas they populate, as can monkeys. That is why many gardeners in those areas monkey and baboon proof their gardens.
The Pringle Bay Baboons Facebook page shared some helpful tips for those who are just starting their gardening journey. Building an enclosed space will do wanders, this is even helpful to avid berry growers who wish to save their fruit from the birds.
“During lockdown, more and more people have started growing vegetable gardens. Vegetable gardens can be very rewarding but also frustrating in baboon areas as they are a huge attractant for baboons and once baboons have found yours, they will return again and again. If you do decide to take the risk and have a veggie garden, please ensure that your veggie gardens are fully baboon-proofed. Otherwise, you’ll just end up upset because the baboons ate your hard work and your neighbours will be upset because you are attracting the baboons to their area. Baboons can be very persistent, which means your veggie garden baboon-proofing will be tested by very strong hands.
Ilse van Baalen kindly shared pictures of how she baboon-proofed her veggie garden here in Pringle.
Everyone, please share your TIPS and PHOTOS of how you baboon-proofed your veggie patch!”
Photo Credit: Ilse van BaalenPhoto Credit: Ilse van Baalen
Some of the tips listed are as follows:
Lynette Johnson says “It’s important to have enough sturdy poles over the top because the baboons will jump on the chicken wire and it’ll sag down towards the veggies, making it easy for the baboons to reach down and pull up all your hard work.”
Ashley Rensburg says “The diamond mesh fencing may keep the baboons at bay, but you’ll find birds getting in through the bigger openings and taking bites out of your produce. Consider installing “chicken wire” flush against your fencing.”
If you would like to contribute advice or learn from the experts, you can join the conversation here. It is important for people living with troops of monkeys or baboons to find constructive ways to live together. After all, they were there first!
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