The chipmunks were getting into my garden containers and eating the roots of my houseplants that I grow outside in the summer. I spoke with one of the ladies that works at our local nursery and she recommended using clear plastic forks in the containers to deter them.
I bought about 8 boxes of 24 clear forks and put them in handle side down. The tines on top stop the chipmunks from climbing into the container and if they do get in, the handles prevent them from tunneling to the roots. It's been almost 2 months since I added the forks to the containers and after a little tweaking the chipmunks gave up on digging in. The houseplants are now a lush green and thriving out there now that their roots aren't being nibbled on. My youngest son had grown the houseplants from cuttings he took last year, so I really wanted to save them!
Dawn in IL
"June is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy." L.M. Montgomery
YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7371 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7371 Posts
Posted - Jul 07 2025 : 07:18:13 AM
That's a great tip, Dawn, hope it works on squirrels.
Sara
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
So far they haven't gotten into my containers either. Then again we live in a wooded area with a forest preserve in our backyard, so they have plenty of food options out there provided by nature!
Dawn in IL
"June is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy." L.M. Montgomery
YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7371 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7371 Posts
Posted - Jul 07 2025 : 08:42:58 AM
The squirrels don't eat my plants they use my containers to hide their acorns & pecans. Always having to pull out wee oak & pecan trees.
Sara
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7718 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7718 Posts
Posted - Jul 07 2025 : 12:00:49 PM
That's such a neat idea Dawn. Im glad it's been working out for you and your plants are happy now.
Krista Farmgirl Sister #528 Farmgirl Of The Year 2025
nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3408 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3408 Posts
Posted - Jul 12 2025 : 12:49:35 PM
Wonder if it would deter kittens and raccoons? Might have to try the real ones instead of plastic LOL!
~Heather “I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington
Dawn, now if I could find forks large enough to deter the deer… the deer discovered one of my strawberry bins!! Now I have a lot of leafless stems! lol!
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
Garden Gate: Winning the war on Chipmunks! Gardening Tip
Winning the war on Chipmunks! Gardening Tip
Posted - Jul 07 2025 : 07:06:16 AM
