Omnivorous and Speedy
Seriously cute and seriously annoying, chipmunks are a major discourager for the home gardener. Their diet includes much of what you plant in your garden and around your house. To survive the winter, they of course harvest nuts in autumn, but their spring and summer diet is supplemented with the berries, vegetables, and bulbs that you hold dear.
Fencing Strategies
To ward off chipmunks from your veggie or berry patch--strong, galvanized hardware cloth is the answer--¼ inch hardware cloth buried 6 to 12 inches deep and 2½ to 3 feet above ground. This ¼ inch hardware cloth will also keep other small rodents at bay. As added insurance against these intruders, attach 12 inches of metal flashing around the top of the hardware cloth--though admittedly unattractive, its wobbling and seeming instability deter squirrels and chipmunks.
Also, vinyl-coated hardware cloth is an excellent option, offering many advantages:
- durable
- longest lifetime
- easy to work with
- excellent for underground barriers
- double protection of galvanizing and vinyl coating resists rust and corrosion
- attractive - black color blends with the background, becoming virtually invisible
For sealing up openings to buildings, use ¼ inch hardware cloth to keep out rodents and chipmunks.
There are other specifications of hardware wire cloth in addition to these - different gauges, different metals, and woven meshes. Contact Louis Page for further information.
To conclude, watch a chipmunk in full harvest mode using those amazing cheek pouches:
P.S. And if you're struggling with squirrels, hardware cloth is a great help here, too. Here's a quick video with a simple home remedy for keeping squirrels out:
