How do I keep rodents out of my garden:(

Ark7441399
by Ark7441399
I love growing tomatoes and the rodents love to eat them. I have tried everything natural from sprays to offensive plants to ladybugs to building a cage that I almost caged myself out of. My thought---a pet owl:)
  12 answers
  • Linday Linday on May 08, 2017

    We used traps, bb gun, and slingshot along with hot pepper flakes. I check my veggies daily for insects and worms and pick them off. It's a daily ritual but I have organic fresh food.

  • Karenmenard Karenmenard on May 08, 2017

    Not a pet owl, a really scary owl with a moving head on the tallest branch or tallest roof of your shed/house! Works like a dream and both Ace Hardware and WalMart have cheaper versions and better-looking versions. We used one to keep the squirrels out of the attic when I was a kid -- worked great!

  • Jan Thomas Jan Thomas on May 09, 2017

    A nurseryman suggested planting peppermint or spraying the mint oil around my tomato bed or plants. It seems rodents are repelled by the mint odor & it worked for me! I also had a mouse problem in a storage shed; spread mint leavea in it & haven't seen a sign of a mouse since.

    • See 3 previous
    • Jan Thomas Jan Thomas on May 10, 2017

      The mint does spread but is easily contained by simply digging or pulling out the spreading roots. My friends & neighbors were delighted to receive mint starts for their gardens. I might add it's important you don't allow the mint to flower & go to seed.

  • Laura Wands Laura Wands on May 09, 2017

    Mint works great- we live in a very remote spot and anywhere I don't want a rodent issue I've planted mint. It's very easy to grow, spreads quickly and keeps all the rodents away From the area. You'll have to watch it, as it will take over any area if you don't cut it back.

    I also use peppermint oil to keep rodents out of the attic and garage. I put the oil on cotton balls and put a few cotton balls in those plastic mesh bags that onions/ potatoes come in, and refresh it monthly.

  • Lori Lori on May 09, 2017

    If you plant mint keep it in pots or it will take over the garden

  • EDITH DEGREGORIO EDITH DEGREGORIO on May 09, 2017

    😺One or more of these works great🐱

  • DORLIS DORLIS on May 09, 2017

    I also have 4 cats, they keep mice, voles and shrews under control. They also chase the squirrels away.

  • Vic21648347 Vic21648347 on May 09, 2017

    Sprinkle mothballs around but keep them away from pets.

  • Patricia Edwards Patricia Edwards on May 09, 2017

    Rubber snakes are also good to keep some rodents and those birds that make mud nest on your porches and a round your house, or a rope curl around under the roof, also cornmeal on red ant beds '. I put the moth balls under my porches and inside my storage buildings.

  • Carlton McCrary Carlton McCrary on May 09, 2017

    Garter snakes are great too, usually easily caught around the edges of ponds. They will not bite and kids love to hold them in their fingers. And, I like the invasiveness of mint, especially when mowing your lawn as it smells great. There are many flavors.

  • Gail Gail on May 09, 2017

    Have you thought of Irish Spring soap? It ran squirrels off from my garden/carport. It is inexpensive and they do not like the scent. I just threw the bars out there and when it rains you do not have to replace it like other things.

  • Robin Stein Robin Stein on May 10, 2017

    Love the mint idea - will have to try. I've been using organic blood meal, sprinkled around the base of veggie and perennial plants that squirrels, etc seem to love to snack on. It seems to bve working but is more expensive than mint