Whenever homeowners see that there is plant damage in their gardens, they usually blame it on bugs, but other Florida animals can be responsible for this. You can learn how to tell if the visitor in your garden has six feet, four feet or even 100 feet. Check the leaves. There are pests that can leave telltale signs, and if you are aware of how to read the signs, you will figure out which animal is to blame and the right way to stop it.



If it is a Tampa deer that comes to your home, you will see jagged edges on the stems and leaves. Deer have small teeth on their bottom jaws, and at the top of their mouths there is a hard palate that has no teeth. Therefore, they can tear off the plants but will not bite cleanly into the leaves. Also, if the ground is soft, you may see hoofprints in it.

If Florida rabbits visit your garden, then you might see stems bitten away at a 45 degree angle. The reason is that rabbits have sharp teeth, and they cause damage near the ground. Other signs that you are dealing with a rabbit are branch clippings and pea sized droppings. If it is winter, then the rabbit may also leave a girdling. This takes place when the rabbit eats the bark of shrubs and trees at the bottom, and this will kill your plants.

Birds can also feed in your garden, mostly if you have trees and plants which offer them food and shelter. The Tampa birds will eat trees, primarily those that bear nuts and fruits. Insects may also eat in the garden if there are colorful and bright followers. The insects that eat on the flowering plants contribute to cross pollination activities.

When Florida mice or rats come into your garden, then they may not be active there for a long period. They only use the gardens as escape routes while going to their homes. If the garden is near the foundation of a home, then the mice and rats may pass through the garden to reach your foundation. Raccoons and skunks may come into your garden if they can find other animals like grubs to eat there. The moles and skunks also eat earthworms and insects, and they may invade the garden to dig for small animals and insects.

When the weather is hot, then alligators and Tampa snakes can come into your garden to hibernate there, if these animals are native to your region. The reptiles will not feed on plants or fruit and only hunt for small animals or eggs of other animals.

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