We currently have a problem with rodents (both mice and rats) feasting on our garden flowers and plants. Does anyone know a non-kill way of reducing this problem? I would like to have a system set up before the new season begins. Are there certain plants they don't like, or is there a certain type of mesh fencing that someone has found effective? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I don't know about rats or mice, but squirrels hate human hair. They won't walk on it or get near to it.

I've heard that Raccoons don't like the smell of rotting tomatoes, so I cut a couple of old ones up and leave them around the fenceposts of a neighbor's yard -- she hasn't seen one since.

My answer to rodents in the garden is to trap them and relocate them. I have a metal trap that I catch coon, skunk, possom, and load the trap in the back of the pickup and take them 5 miles out of town and let them go. You would need a trap with a smaller wire mesh for mice and rats. My bird friendly garden also attracts birds that feed on mice.

I've had problems in the orchard, and a mulch of chips or ashes seems to help; I'm told the mice won't cross it. I've also been told that spraying with a pepper spray does no harm to your plants but bugs and critters don't like it so they won't nibble.