Landscaping Tips to Discourage Intruders

• Pass on the mulch. Instead of using this soft, quiet material, use pea gravel in flower beds under windows. These small stones make a crunching sound when someone is walking on it, which could make a possible intruder look for a quieter target.
• Trim tree branches that extend near windows. Most thieves aren't going to walk in through the front door, so look up and see where they might have easy access to a second story window. Cutting branches near the house will limit their options.
• Make sure your house is visible from the street. Large hedges and solid fences may provide privacy, but they also give an intruder a place to hide. Think about installing decorative fencing that you can see through and low bushes to give some design features that will look nice, but remain uninviting to thieves.
• Be intentional about planting under windows. Bushes with thorns such as roses, holly or bird's nest spruces are a great deterrent. In desert climates, needle bush, Spanish bayonet or a prickly pear cacti will make a person think twice. Keep them trimmed low, so hiding near a window is not an option.
• Lights are a great deterrent as well. Installing some landscape lighting with motion detectors will look nice as a landscape feature, which can also scare off anyone who is not supposed to be there after dark. 

You can decrease your chances of having to deal with a break-in if you're smart with your landscape choices. The plants, materials and lighting you use not only look nice, but can be used in a way that deters possible intruders. 

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