Wildlife and Gardens - Part 7
Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) can get into more than bird feeders. They are notorious for digging up bulbs and eating them or leaving them lying about. My local group also does some replanting and has excellent taste in bulb combinations.
Chipmunks (Tamais striatus) will also eat birdseed and dig bulbs, but the most annoying thing they do in my garden is plant wads of birdseed in my potted plants.
Speaking of birds; they are some of the messiest critters going. Not much of anything will grow below a bird feeding station. If the seed hulls don't smother the plants, the scratching done by the ground feeders will dislodge them. If you host aggressive birds like Mocking Birds, you can also get chased out of your own garden when they are nesting. They will pursue just about anything while protecting their nests. And then there's bird droppings (they are not house trainable); particularly nice after they've been feasting on mulberries or pokeweed. If your house is made of wood (as mine is) woodpeckers will think that's great and use it to announce their presence to others of their ilk....and put a few holes in it in the process.
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are adorable, but they have hands and are quite intelligent and resourceful. They can open just about anything the set their minds to. If you put food products or unwashed containers in your trash, you'd better get a stout cord to secure the lid. Since I don't grow sweet corn anymore, about the only plant damage I have is the result of some squabble taking place in the plant clump, but if you do try to grow sweet corn, you will have a devil of a time getting any for yourself. They will finish off the contents of any bird feeder if they get a chance as seeds are an important part of their diet. They love water to play in and wash their food, so you will need to net your pond and / or dig it at least three feet deep and forego the marginal plant ledges to discourage them from wading and fishing.
Groundhogs (Marmota monax) and rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) will dine on tender plants and the groundhogs will dig tunnels and throw up large mounds of
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