Chipmonk? in greenhouse

[Fairorchids]

We have a problem with something (not slugs) eating partial and whole buds, before they open. This happens both on the bench, and on hanging baskets. I suspect a chipmonk rather than mice.

Any advice on how to capture/exterminate?

[Salixx]

Extra Small 2-Door Live Mouse Trap | Havahart (R) 1020 ?

I had a chipmunk digging in one of my Stanhopeas last year (no damage though). A fake snake deterred it for a while. A fake owl may help too. Or putting out black oil sunflower seeds to distract it from your plants.

Are you sure it's a chipmunk? They're diurnal, so you would would see and hear it. They chirp rather loudly when spooked.

Also, is the greenhouse enclosed? If it's a chipmunk, you could lure it out with sunflower seeds. It probably doesn't want to be in there.

Chipmunks are very dear to my heart, so I can't bring myself to recommend killing any.

[estación seca]

It could also be squirrels or rats. Rats can squeeze through tiny openings. Brown/Norwegian/roof rats love to climb, and seldom set foot on the ground. These are very hard to trap, because they're smarter than most people. We also have desert pack rats, which are very easy to trap.

An effective approach is to place an open, unset trap in the greenhouse for several days. Select a spot up near something they can use as a walkway. They are frightened by changes in the environment. After a few days begin leaving food near the open, unset trap. Once it starts disappearing, each day mover the bait closer to the open, unset trap. Then gradually move it into the open, unset trap. After it has been disappearing from the open, unset trap, set the trap.

A larger trap that can catch multiple rats in one night involves setting up a barrel. Cut holes near the top on opposite sides of the rim. Pass a span of pipe, smooth plant stake or rebar through the holes, with a tall metal can, ends removed, threaded over the horizontal piece, suspended over the barrel. The can should spin freely on the horizontal span. Partially fill the barrel with water. Set a piece of board from a rat runway to one end of the horizontal span on the outside of the barrel. Put a thin ring of peanut butter around the end of the can away from the ramp. The rat will climb the ramp to the barrel, climb out on the horizontal, and walk onto the can to get the peanut butter. The can will spin and dump the rat into the water. The water level should be low enough the rat can't climb up the vertical, smooth sides. If you're tender-hearted you can place something in the water for the rat to stand on, but remember rats bite.

[Dollythehun]

Kim. PM me if you want a simple suggestion I learned from an old nursery man.

[orchidsarefun]

Cat cat cat

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

[estación seca]

Cats eat orchids, too. And most cats are no match for most brown rats.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Cats eat orchids, too. And most cats are no match for most brown rats.

I suspect either because they are bored or don't have anything to track. My cats do a good job keeping my garden clear of pests.

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

[Robin Jones]

I am 95% sure that it is a chipmunk eating my Vanda blooms. I love chipmunks, but I love my Vandas more! So, I will exterminate the chipmunks any day to save my Vandas. They have totaly destroyed beautiful stems of blooms on my Vandas over the past 6 months. Took me a while to figure out what was doing it.

[Subrosa]

Ferret

[dounoharm]

mothballs work to keep rodents out of my garden....you could get the ones that come in little 'sachets' to put on your vandas and hanging plants....they wont hurt the orchids, your space will smell for a while, but IT WILL BE PRESERVED!! LMAO!!