Verjagen

Verjagen is a Dutch verb meaning to drive away or repel something or someone, typically by deterrence rather than by harm. It is used in contexts such as agriculture, wildlife management, and security, where the goal is to prevent an unwanted presence or damage.

The verb comes from jagen (to hunt) with the prefix ver-, which can indicate removal or making something go away. It is a transitive verb: de vogels verjagen (to drive away the birds), de indringer verjagen (to drive away the intruder). It can also be used with abstract targets, for example angst verjagen (to dispel fear).

In practice, verjagen is commonly applied to non-lethal deterrence. In farming or gardening, measures include physical exclusion (netting, fencing), habitat modification, and deterrents such as visual or acoustic devices or scent- and taste-based repellents. In wildlife management, verjagen aims to reduce crop damage or human–wildlife conflict without harming animals. In security contexts, it describes actions to drive away trespassers or unwanted visitors.

Ethical and legal considerations emphasize humane and proportionate methods, avoidance of harm to non-target species, and compliance with local regulations governing deterrents or trapping. Effectiveness varies by species and situation, and repeated or combined deterrents are often required. Verjagen can also be used metaphorically to dispel fear or doubts, though in that sense it is less about removal of a concrete presence and more about altering perception.