The big guys that want your Lettuce.

As well as bugs and disease, your lettuce may well be troubled with larger animals.

The number of large animals that are after your crops will depend on where in the world you live.

Here in the UK we have a small range of animal pests;

Rabbits

Squirrels

Birds

Foxes

Cats

Dogs

Deer

Badgers

Mice and all such furry creatures.

It is only the rabbit, mice, and the deer that are going to eat your lettuce. The rest of them will root around, jump on, or dig up your crop.

To protect your lettuce is straightforward with these pests. A good fence or barrier of some sort will do the job of keeping them out.

Smaller mammals can be trapped and if the dog is yours then it is up to you to train the beast.

If you have a cat then there is nothing you can do about it…just live with it. 

A word here about cats and dogs as a health risk.

There are two parasites affecting dogs and cats that can affect humans.

Worms and a parasite called Toxopasma gondii. The risk is low but best is not to let faeces lay about your garden; remove it to a safe place.

As we know, birds are not kept out with fences, however if you have trouble with them; use netting. In the main, birds will always go for a yellow colour in preference to any thing else. 

Therefore, if you grow many yellow flowers in your garden they will feed off them and not bother your lettuce.