Prevent the Rodent Republic and the Squirrels from Driving You Nuts
By The Sustainable Ridgewood Editorial Team
Squirrel and Chipmunk Populations Exploding due to Unusually Generous Oak Trees
Though 2020 has been quite hard on us humans, other species seem to be living the dream. As you’ve probably noticed by now, squirrels and chipmunks have been breeding like it’s Valentine’s Day, and it’s taking a toll on local residents. Squirrels and chipmunks are known to dig through vegetable gardens and potted plants to store their food cache. They also like to eat our crops, especially greens and small fruit. Chipmunks can be especially damaging because they like to burrow, and can undermine the foundation of your home.
Why Are There So Many Rodents this Year?
Chipmunks and squirrels have similar mating habits, breeding once in the spring and again in the early summer. Like any animal, they thrive during times of surplus, and oak trees have been serving it up. Ecologists noticed back in November that acorn droppings were unusually high, and winter is when the rodents stock up on their food supply. Fast forward to today, and we clearly see the results of last year’s especially generous oak trees.
When will the Madness End?
Oak trees vary in the amount of acorns they produce on a yearly basis, as a tactic to keep predators confused, so next year we’re likely to see less acorns lying around, and consequently, less of our furry friends. But the madness doesn’t end there. Rodent populations often boom and bust. We saw it in 1968, and more recently in 2018. The next stage? Roadkill. As food supplies dry up, the rodents start spreading out in search of a food supply, swimming through lakes and crossing roads. After all, birds and deer find the acorns appetizing as well. They’ll also start breaking into gardens and gnaw on vegetable leaves and fruits. This seems to be the stage we’re at now.
"They have been here long before us, before there was a Ridgewood, before there was a New Jersey. We have to learn to live with them, even when they become a nuisance. This boom and bust in the rodent population is a natural cycle, and it will be over relatively soon. So don’t give up on gardening! Pest management is a huge part of growing your own food, so think of this as a learning experience, rather than a setback."
Protecting your Garden from the Rodent Republic
What goes up must come down, so hopefully, squirrel and chipmunk populations will fall dramatically in the next year, and stay at a normal level until the next mast year, when the oaks kick into high acorn production again. Until then, homeowners and gardeners must take precautions to ensure that they don’t destroy harvests. Here are some humane, environmentally friendly ways to keep the rodents out of your garden.
Keep pet food and plant seed indoors: Leaving food outside is a major attraction for rodents. Not only do they love nuts, but they’ll eat the same food as your dog or cat too! Store any bags of pet food or plant seed indoors to keep from attracting any rodents.
Use your pets to your advantage: Unless they’re particularly bold, chipmunks and squirrels will stay away from any yards inhabited by larger creatures, like your dog or cat, who will probably attempt to chase them away on sight.
Use strong smells as a repellent: You can use a variety of natural scents to keep rodents away from your garden. Pungent oils such as peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus work as squirrel repellent. You can soak some cotton balls with any of these oils and place them around your garden. Mothballs in a nylon or mesh bag placed around your plants will also work. Another option, though not recommended for more sensitive crops, is to sprinkle cayenne pepper, or spray a cayenne pepper/water solution onto your plants. Keep in mind that for any of these methods, you will have to reapply them after it rains.
Set up a decoy food source: Keep an easily accessible, decoy squirrel feeder near your yard. Keep it stocked with things squirrels and chipmunks love, such as nuts, seeds, corn and small fruit. They’ll have a place to reliably get food when they pass by, and won’t have a need to venture into your yard.
Physical barriers: There are a number of physical barriers you can use to keep squirrels and chipmunks at bay. You can erect a wire fence around your garden area to make it tough to get inside. You may have to dig it a few feet deep, though. Chipmunks like to burrow, so they have no problem digging through the dirt to get to their prize. You can cover individual plants with squirrel netting, placed over the plant, to protect it. Mesh fruit nets can also make it harder for the rodents to eat the individual fruit. Remember that these creatures can chew through metal, so use these physical barriers in tandem with other methods.
Clean up your yard: Clean up any fruit, nuts, or stalks that have fallen on the ground, as they’ll attract the rodents. Also, prune your trees and bushes, as it will make it harder for the squirrels and chipmunks to climb and reach some of your plants..
Scarecrows: A dummy can be set up in your garden to ward off any would-be intruders. Owls and birds of prey are known to prey on rodents, so they are popular choices when choosing a scarecrow. Make sure you move the dummy around to keep up the illusion.
Don’t rely on any one method! Use a combination, and switch them up, to keep the rodents confused.
Here are a few links to squirrel and chipmunk repellent methods:
https://www.christineshealthyworld.com/squirrels-in-the-garden/
https://morningchores.com/squirrels-in-garden/
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-keep-squirrels-out-of-your-garden-4179057
What Not To Do
Avoid treating the rodents inhumanely. Yes, they are technically pests, but they are still a beloved part of our ecosystem. Foxes, owls, hawks, and raccoons will all benefit from the excess rodent population. They have been here long before us, before there was a Ridgewood, before there was a New Jersey. We have to learn to live with them, even when they become a nuisance. This boom and bust in the rodent population is a natural cycle, and it will be over relatively soon. So don’t give up on gardening! Pest management is a huge part of growing your own food, so think of this as a learning experience, rather than a setback.
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