Share your tips in the section below: chipmunks critters featured garden gardening mice voles. Unlike sage, which is an annual, you don’t have to replant every year. Oregano. Considering next trying out my … Noel says: I use those clear plastic fruit containers that are used for packing strawberries … Better yet, oregano is a great complement to many of the recipes you might be making with vegetables from your garden. The rodents won’t. Got a tip from Noel Ramos a.k.a. It, too, is an annual in most parts of North America so you may have to replant in the Spring. Strawberries attract these pests as the fruits begin to ripen. More Help With Birds and Other Garden Pests. Do I have options. Subject: Squirrels or Chipmunks eating my strawberries? This is likely the only time homeowners would see chipmunks during the colder months, and the young are born in April or May. Plastic predators. A physical barrier is as simple as a fence. im thinking its either chipmunks, or bunnies, because thats what we have most around my … ‘Off The Grid News’ is an independent, weekly email newsletter and website that is crammed full of practical information on living and surviving off the grid. It is likely that your strawberries are touching the soil and there are lots of insects in the soil that may be chewing on your strawberries (including slugs). The strawberry plot is at the back of the property (we live on a residential two acre property and like to grow whatever we can). This is only the second time we’ve ever tried to grow strawberries, but we’re already about 1000% more successful thanks to this trick we used to protect strawberries. They can’t stand the stuff. Of course, the mesh needs to be a finer mesh than standard chicken wire and should be buried in the ground around the perimeter of the garden to discourage the burrowing habits of voles and chipmunks. They’re everywhere, from cities to suburbs to the countryside. Chipmunks mainly live in trees, shrubs, logs, and … Novelty stores and dollar stores sell rubber snakes. How do you keep rodents out of your garden? Anonymous: I've seen both around my strawberries, and suspect its more likely the chipmunks. In fact, coffee grounds make an excellent compost, and Starbucks likely will give you free bags of coffee grounds for composting. If not, you always could let the dog or cat take a nap next to the garden. To keep raccoons at a distance, try scattering blood meal around corn plants. They don’t eat as voraciously as a vole, but can do equal damage and also reproduce prodigiously. In addition, if they choose to taste one of your vegetables, they will quickly turn away and seek food that is not as harsh. Also try sprinkling wood ashes around your … They may like our fruits and vegetables but they don’t like us. This New All-Natural Fertilizer Doubles Garden Production! Rats and rabbits are larger than mile and voles, and their body size means they can and will consume more of your harvest. The first season occurs on milder winter days near springtime as they briefly leave their burrows. They dig holes all over and even dig up our plants! Ask an Expert is made up of groups and individual experts. Blood meal is high in nitrogen but only apply it to the ground. Repeat the treatment every couple of days and after rain showers. Those combinations are defined by three fundamental approaches: physical barriers, natural “chemicals,” and various aromatic herbs and flowers. If you, your kids, or your … What do chipmunks eat? Plant Daffodils. Florida Green Man on how to deal with those pesky squirrels and birds in your fruit orchard. Growing Wisdom garden videos will help you with all your gardening needs. They’ve got long bushy tails and are usually black, grey or rusty red. In fact, most mice find their way into a garden through the gate leading into the garden, where gaps are prominent. The squirrels raid the garden, stealing the berries before you have a chance to harvest them. Understanding your opponent is the first step in defeating him. Q: Mike: We have a terrible problem with chipmunks. In my own garden I have found chicken wire to be very effective in preventing squirrels as well as robins from destroying my strawberry crop. It’s also an exceptional herb for cooking. As a result, additional solutions may be necessary. To protect your spring bulbs, add in a few daffodil plants to your garden. How to Keep Birds From Eating Your … In fact, a vole must consume its body weight on a daily basis just to stay alive. Thus, while nuts are their favorite food, they have no problem turning your yard into a salad during warmer months so they can build a food store. You can also buy a spray product made from the urine of predator animals like … As exasperating as squirrels and chipmunks can be, there are a several things we can do to coexist on more friendly terms. They’re also nibblers who can ruin a tomato or pepper with a few bites. They may also munch on other plants, such as those in your garden. Fill a 5 gallon bucket halfway full with water then sprinkle the top layer with birdseed till you can't tell there is water there. The scent of human hair tells a varmint that a human is nearby; rodents simply don’t want to be anywhere near us. Chipmunks may seem cute, but they are active burrowers and can kill plants at the roots if they decide to live under your garden. The Vole is a good example. Strong smelling spices, like hot sauce and garlic, also repel rodents. Blood meal is a by-product commonly made by meat-packing plants. In this article, we’ll first examine the type of small animals that can cause havoc in your garden. This may seem a bit odd, but you can buy plastic replicas of owls and coyotes to places in or around your garden. Tired of birds and other pests devouring your strawberries before you get to pick them? 10. It's a mess! Squirrels are active nibblers. Raccoons will eat virtually anything; try fish-flavored dry cat food, chicken necks, ears of corn, or whole peanuts for bait. Come back every week for our latest tips on what to do in your yard. You have the benefit of herbs growing in your garden and the beauty of flowers while repelling rodents and rabbits. Drive the Pests … I planted strawberries in my veggie garden for the first time this year. Or, interplant them with your vegetables. I live in Ontario, Canada. The only problem with this method (other than the expense), is that it makes harvesting the fruit more difficult. Rain and sun can get through, but chipmunks stop eating them. It’s also a great addition to dishes made with chicken or pork. Is there any thing we can do … The high nitrogen content can burn the leaves; personally, I don’t like the idea of dried animal blood on my lettuce leaves. Sage is a strong smelling, aromatic herb that rodents simply don’t like. You may want to consider putting some sort of plastic cover under/around the strawberry plants.