Coffee grounds around the plants act as fertilizer and discourage chipmunks. The rags around your tomatoes can be used to deter the rodents. Before you eat your tomatoes, wash them and keep them in a dry place.
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What smell do chipmunks hate?
Contrary to the noses of humans, chipmunks absolutely can’t stand the smells of certain strong oils like peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. The smell of garlic, onions, or garlic-flavored foods can be overpowering to the animals. The reason for this is that the chipmunk’s nostrils are too small for these smells to pass through.
This means that they have to rely on their sense of smell to tell them what’s in front of them. In other words, they can only smell things that are close to them, which is why they’re so good at sniffing out food that’s just a few inches away from their noses.
How do I keep chipmunks out of my vegetable pots?
Use physical deterrents— Secure the chicken wire in place with landscape-fabric pins, because it is light enough for chipmunks and squirrels to fling aside. For less fuss, try a generous layer of bark mulch or river rocks. The topdressings will help the mix retain water.
Do coffee grounds repel chipmunks?
Deterring Pests When using coffee grounds as mulch, your furry pests (e.g., squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies) don’t want to have much to do with them…so it’s a good idea to keep them away from your plants. Coffee grounds can also be used as a natural insect repellent. Coffee grounds are an excellent choice for this purpose, as they are non-toxic and do not contain any of the harmful chemicals found in other insecticides.
How do I keep squirrels and chipmunks from eating my tomatoes?
Wrap individual fruits on tomato, eggplant, or other vegetable plants in small pieces of bird netting. Squirrels seem to be most interested in stealing tomatoes just as they are ripening, so wrap the mature fruits and ignore the immature ones. If squirrels are in your yard, try to keep them away from your fruit trees and shrubs. If you can’t get rid of them, you may have to move them.
How do I rid my garden of chipmunks?
Sprinkling cayenne, chili powder or other hot, intense spices around your garden is a non-toxic way to discourage rodents from hanging around. Gardeners use a generous sprinkling of peppermint oil to deter chipmunks.
If you live in a salt-rich area, you may want to consider adding a pinch of salt to your vegetable garden. It’s a good idea to add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar to the mix, too, to give your plants a little extra flavor.
Is there a natural deterrent for chipmunks?
A combination of both hot peppers and garlic is a common method of repelling the chipmunks. The garlic and peppers should be soft about 10 to 15 minutes after being steep in the hot, soapy water. Drain the mixture and set aside. To make the pesto, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and turn golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Stir in the basil, salt, and pepper; season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
