SolveYourProblem
Hedges Article Series
I
Want To Create
The Perfect Hedge
Hedges
That Can Discourage Burglars
As many people know hedges can keep out all
sorts of pests. A hedge acts as a wind and privacy screen so
you are able to protect your yard from unwanted drafts and
the prying eyes of your neighbors. A hedge can also keep out
certain pests and animals. But hedges as a crime deterrent,
you ask? Can hedges really keep out burglars?
Though it may sound surprising, there
are some hedges that will deter potential burglars. Prickly hedges will make any
burglar think twice about invading your home.
There are many things you can do to minimize the risk of having
your home burglarized. Having proper locks in place and having
outdoor lighting at both the front and back of your house are
two of the main things you can do to reduce the risk of being
burglarized.
On the one hand, hedges
can provide a hiding place for burglars,
particularly if they are not trimmed and maintained properly.
Hedges should be kept at a height of two feet. You want to
make sure that you do not have really tall and untrimmed trees
and hedges at the front of your house. Burglars will see these
as a natural hiding place. The last thing you want to do is
provide a place where these thieves can conceal themselves.
You want to make sure that your house is visible to your neighbors
and anyone else passing by. Because burglars need to conceal
themselves, they will move on to an easier target if your entryways
are too visible for their liking.
On the other hand certain varieties of hedges can actually
deter burglars. More and more police departments are telling
people in their areas to practice this kind of crime prevention
landscaping. Plants that are prickly and thick hedges will
help keep away those people considering breaking into your
home. Thorny hedges are particularly effective for this. While
these types of hedges might look attractive, they will be a
sharp reminder that your home is off-limits to them.
The
more thorns on your hedges the better if you’re trying
to deter burglars. Hawthorn hedges will keep animals at a minimum
and will prove somewhat effective against burglars. Berberis
darwinii and B. thundergii are two of the best varieties to
keep burglars at bay – their razor-sharp thorns will keep most
unwanted visitors at bay.
There’s also the Robin Hood rose. With this rose shrub, the
thorns don’t just scratch the skin; they actually break off
into the skin so your would-be burglar will be left with a
very unpleasant reminder of their folly.
Because burglars try to be as inconspicuous as possible, you
should consider planting these types of hedges in places that
might appeal to potential intruders. Making it as difficult
as possible to access your home is your goal. Planting these
kinds of sharp and prickly hedges in places where burglars
can gain easy access to your home will help keep them out and
make them think twice about trying to enter your property.
In terms of your overall garden design, you want to avoid
large rocks or boulders. Really large boulders pose the same
problem as tall and untrimmed trees and bushes – they are a
natural hiding place for potential burglars. Medium sized rocks
are also dangerous because burglars wanting to gain access
to your house can use them to break windows. It is best to
use small pebbles in your garden to avoid these kinds of problems.
Planting prickly hedges can be an important part of your overall
home security and burglary prevention plan. That doesn’t mean,
however, that it should be your only barrier against home invaders.
You need to invest the proper money and energy into protecting
your home from burglars by installing proper locks and lighting.
The key is visibility. If there is nowhere for them to hide,
your would-be burglars will move on to someone else. Prickly
hedges will act in much the same way. If a prickly and painful
obstacle is placed in a burglars’ way, odds are they will leave
and seek out a much less difficult target.
A strategically placed Berberis darwinii or Robin Hood rose
may not be an absolute guarantee that your home will never
be robbed, but its vicious thorns will make even the toughest
burglars think twice before approaching your home.
