Ok, they’re cute, eh? But not in real life or when I consider the damage they do in my vegetable and perennial gardens. Here are some of my garden hacks to limit the disturbance from these critters.

Skunks, opossums and raccoons feast on the worms and insects that come with the compost I put around my roses and other plants. Rose canes and thorny branches discourage them.

Stinky, peppery herbs and spices may offend the critters. Friends donated old bottles languishing in their spice drawers. I mixed them together and “bottled” for sprinkling around newly planted or composted areas.

Dogs also show an interest in bone and blood meal but don’t seem to like chili powder. Taco sauce, well beyond its use date, was diluted in water to further discourage interest in the area around the roses.

Poppy seeds are protected from intrusions with garden trays anchored with stones or metal stakes. Watering with these in place causes less disturbance of the seeds which can take a few weeks to germinate.

Caught on infrared critter camera rooting around my strawberries.

And then things get serious.