Here ’s how to outwit the wily critter that dig up and nibble your favourite flower .
Every gardener likely has a write up about squirrel or chipmunks ( or perchance both ) making a nuisance of themselves . These precious but mischievous creature seem to have an affinity for lightbulb and containers that can wreak mayhem on your carefully planned beds and borders .
Here ’s how to keep chipmunk out of your garden , along with squirrels , so they do n’t eat your fruits , flowering flora , and vegetables .
Credit: Doug Stremel
Understand Why Squirrels and Chipmunks Dig
As exasperating as it is to endeavor to stop squirrels from munch on your plants or figure out how to keep chipmunks out of the garden , we can do several things to coexist on more friendly terms . First of all , believe about why these creatures do what they do . They rust nuts , leaves , Chuck Berry , roots , and seeds . Generally , there is enough intellectual nourishment for them inour backyard habitat , and they do n’t become pest .
Squirrels spend much of their day burying small food stashes in multiple property around their dominion , and they often dig into the adorable , soft soil you ’ve just prepared to do so . Chipmunks commonly store their intellectual nourishment in one place and are delighted when they fall out across a squirrel stash or your bulbs . When one of these beast finds yourbulb plantings , they imagine they ’ve just arrived at an all - you - can - consume buffet .
Apply Cayenne Pepper or Other Repellent
Cayenne pepper is the enigma to keeping chipmunk out of your garden and keeping squirrels from comprehend up your bulbs . Available at almost any grocery shop , finely ground cayenne pepper can spice up your backyard as well as your food . Sprinkle the land with cayenne pepper , and you ’ll have no more dug - up plants . You usually have to reapply the pepper after each rainfall or afterwatering container and margin . However , typically , squirrels lose interest after they name the cayenne pepper and often move on to dig somewhere else .
If long pepper does n’t do the trick for you , try one of the other repellents that are cognise to deter squirrels and chipmunk , such as peppermint rock oil , hot white pepper , geraniums , and Eugenia caryophyllatum . intoxicate cotton balls in the oil color or place non - liquid impediment in small container and scatter them around the garden .
you could also use repellents marketed specifically for squirrel and chipmunk . These products contain ingredients that do n’t harm your mob or other backyard wildlife . Many gardener have lot by drenching the soil in plant container with castor crude oil repellant , sold formole restraint . Other repellent use predator water to frighten gnawer . These products must be reapplied periodically , particularly after rain .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Avoid Attracting Squirrels and Chipmunks as Much as Possible
The best bakshish for how to keep chipmunk out of your garden andreduce your yard ’s appealto squirrels is to remove food sources , such as pet food bowls , or movebirdseedout of range . Also , minimize attractive habitat site such as rock piles or fallen log . you may also modify your flora choices when you have intercourse which species they do n’t like . For deterrent example , squirrels and chipmunks do not like the smell or taste ofdaffodils . However , they do it to eattulip bulb . Planting daffodils with your other flowering bulbs can mask the fragrance of tulips and assist protect them .
Protect Bulbs from Digging Creatures
When planting spring - flowering bulbs , see to it they ’re buried at the proper depth . Plant tulips andhyacinths6 to 8 inch bass . Smaller bulbs , such ascrocusesand grape hyacinths , should be planted 3 to 4 column inch deep .
Bulb cage ( purchase or homemade with chicken wire ) work well for small plantings . If you have a large surface area to protect , cover it with wimp telegram afteryour fall plantingis done . Tack down the wire and underwrite it with a slender layer of mulch to hide it . off the barrier in former fountain when you see the bulbs coming up .
Provide Water to Protect Your Veggies
In spicy , dry summertime , squirrels and chipmunks are see for body of water , which is when they might get into thebirdbathor vegetable garden . Make certain there is a clean H2O supply for all the wildlife in your garden , and in turn , they ’ll leaveyour tomatoesalone . If you get that squirrels and chipmunk are still eating berries , tomatoes , or anything else you had trust to harvest , covering plants in heavy - duty garden netting might be your best stake .
Protect Your Yard from Other Critters
Squirrels and chipmunks have another pardner in criminal offence — rabbits . Fencing is an effective tool forkeeping rabbits out , but the best mode to keep them from munching on your plant is with a dog . Dogs scare rabbits out better than a scarecrow or stroboscope light do . sum somerabbit - immune flowersand flora to keep them away , also . If deer are Energy - eyed scavengers in your area , include the bestdeer - resistant plantsin your region to downplay the damage they can do . If you have askunk trouble , lock up your codswallop cans and take other gradation to keep these stinky small bozo out .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Credit: Scott Little
