We put up a fence this year ...

[OneDahlia]

... to keep out the groundhogs that ate all my large tomatoes last year. Even dug a trench and buried the fencing as a precaution against voles.
And now the squirrels have discovered the tomatoes for the first time.

Off to go read about fighting squirrels.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by OneDahlia

... to keep out the groundhogs that ate all my large tomatoes last year. Even dug a trench and buried the fencing as a precaution against voles.
And now the squirrels have discovered the tomatoes for the first time.

Off to go read about fighting squirrels.

Chicken wire.


Worth

[ScottinAtlanta]

There are lots of posts about squirrels on this Forum. Here is the bottom line. There are only two ways to keep squirrels from your tomatoes, once they get a taste for them:

1) Physical barriers such as wire.
2) Death (them or you)

[PA_Julia]

My next door neighbor has shot two groundhogs and a few squirrels already this year.
He's a avid hunter and has a great aim.
He used a high powered pellet gun.

I contribute this to the relative calm in both our gardens.


Julia

[ChrisK]

I recently found an electrocution type rat trap (runs on batteries). At least one person said he got a squirrel unintentionally.......hmmmm.....

[ScottinAtlanta]

A fence does not deter squirrels. I built a 30 foot by 25 foot by 7 feet high cage around the raised boxes I use for tomatoes. I used chicken wire for the cage. It is buried 14 inches on all sides to deter chipmunks. There is a door on one side. I can sleep peacefully. The squirrels actually crawl along the wire looking for any entrance. One found a small hole and slipped in. He could not get his large Bradley out - it was stuck in the hole with rodent teeth marks in it. They are the Spawn of Satan.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

A fence does not deter squirrels. I built a 30 foot by 25 foot cage around the raised boxes I use for tomatoes. I used chicken wire for the cage. It is buried 14 inches on all sides to deter chipmunks. There is a door on one side. I can sleep peacefully. The squirrels actually crawl along the wire looking for any entrance. One found a small hole and slipped in. He could not get his large Bradley out - it was stuck in the hole with rodent teeth marks in it. They are the Spawn of Satan.

I disagree I think they are the spawn of a good gumbo.

Worth

[babice]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I disagree I think they are the spawn of a good gumbo.

Worth

You just ain't right! Welp - shoot. Being new to this tom growing thing, I didn't know I needed to worry about squirrels, chipmunks and groundhogs. I wouldn't kill them. But, it's good to know because I may have to get some wire too. My neighbor feeds the groundhogs, racoons, deer and whatever else will come up to her house and eat whatever it is she's putting out for them. Groundhogs - can they climb stairs? Of course, I know chipmunks, squirrels and raccoons can because they get up on our deck.

p.s. do you think that smelly stuff (think it's called "Repel All" would work?

[OneDahlia]

The fence IS chicken wire.

I feel like shooting them, but I know I couldn't do it. Anyway, they seem like mosquitoes -- there's a never-ending supply.

Maybe an electric wire on top of the fence ...

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by OneDahlia

The fence IS chicken wire.

I feel like shooting them, but I know I couldn't do it. Anyway, they seem like mosquitoes -- there's a never-ending supply.

Maybe an electric wire on top of the fence ...

Well it hast to be all over the top of the garden.
Squirrels can climb.

Worth

[lakelady]

Chipmunks run rampant like mice around here. Even with 2 cats. Well, the fat boy doesn't chase anything at all, and the little lady is still young, there's hope!

I haven't seen any squirrels yet this year and today I spent the day power washing a picnic table we leave in a corner of the yard, and the deck. I glanced over at the nice bright picnic table and there it was...the squirrel lounging around. I wonder if he is the one eating the sungolds!

I've tossed a few green tomatoes with BER into the firepit and found them half eaten, so someone has found them and enjoyed them.

[OneDahlia]

I love my garden, but not enough to cover it with wire.

I really wasn't expecting them to bother the garden, for some reason. (The fence was meant for the groundhog, not them.) They were content with the peach tree and the strawberries last year.

[OneDahlia]

Babice, I tried that repel stuff against the groundhog last year. Cost something like $20 for the container and seemed to keep him away for a few days, but then it seemed to wear off and he'd come back. Sooner if it rained. It was way too expensive and not very effective IMO.

[ScottinAtlanta]

Wire or death. Only two choices.

[babice]

Originally Posted by OneDahlia

Babice, I tried that repel stuff against the groundhog last year. Cost something like $20 for the container and seemed to keep him away for a few days, but then it seemed to wear off and he'd come back. Sooner if it rained. It was way too expensive and not very effective IMO.

Yes, it does have to be re-applied regularly - like fungicde. I hear ya! I try making some on my own too - I boil garlic, use bloodmeal, etc.