I have been using the search feature on this site looking for information about chipmunks. I didn't see anything relating to this so I wanted to lay this out for opinions and help. Several years ago our yard started getting chipmunks. Yes, they are cute but wow Destructive! Not only did they eat every single strawberry I owned that was still green, they wrecked most of my garden by digging tunnels under the root systems and caused many plants to die. My biggest concern was our pool and their tunnels. Several friends we have known over the years have pools like ours and these 'cute' little creatures burrowed under their pool. When they opened the pools in the spring and got in, stepped on a tunnel area this caused great pressure on the liner and the pool sprung a Tsunami! I bought a 'have a heart' trap and have been catching them with bird seed as bait. I drive them over the river and let them out on the banks of a nearby river. I figured they couldn't swim and would not be back! Each year I have caught 20 something chipmunks and relocate them in the same spot for their family renunion Over the years they completely trashed my strawberries (had over 300 plants) and I had given up on strawberries until last spring when I planted 50 more. My question is: Anyone have a good solid idea of how to create a barrier for my strawberries? I have been brainstorming about this and have come up with this plan. Using wood stakes and purchasing replacement screening for a screen door, to staple gun this onto the stakes, bury the stakes about a foot down. My next step is to figure out how to place a cover of some sort over this invention I have in mind. I was thinking of tobacco netting but am not sure if that would work. Bird netting I have tried in the past and it was not good for the birds that managed to get into and under the netting and got stuck. I found myself rescuing many birds who were stuck in the netting. Any brainstorms out there that can help? I am open to suggestions and need to have a plan in place and ready to go as soon as I can work the earth this spring. Thank you!
How I Grow Strawberries Despite the Chipmunks and Birds Hi, Thanks. I FEEL your pain. I read this in a book years ago. Tried it. And it worked. The Basic Strategy is to Plant things around your garden that Chipmunks and birds Like BETTER than strawberries. We planted Mulberry Trees (Tons of berries and seeds) to fill the birds up. Sure enough - we got more blueberries and cherries and strawberries. We have other fruit trees near the garden too. Apples and pears on the ground are tasty to chipmunks. But I know the Mulberries, cherry tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and all kinds of flowers that go to seed. FEED and fill up the scavengers. (I've seen chipmunks with tiny tomatoes in their mouths. The darn plants have ZILLIONS of tomatoes on them.) Alan P.S. - You might also get an out-door cat. Let him or her thin the ranks of the Chipmunks for you.
Chipmunks are very destructive. Had to find that one out the hard way. I have heard numerous ways to control their population but most aren't very humane and there are so many around most places that you are better off to just protect at much as you can. I tried to google some information but couldn't find much either.
