Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Pests

Groundhog or Deer Eating Perennials in Massachusetts

Question: North-central MA, 2.2 acres (0.7 cleared). Black-eyed Susans eaten (stems chewed), daisies spared. New perennial munched. Saw groundhog 10 days ago; deer 2 yrs ago. Landscaper suggested mothballs. Want non-lethal prevention.

Answer: Groundhog Most Likely—Mint Works Best

Groundhog seen recently = prime suspect
Deer = nocturnal; check for hoof prints
Mothballs = ineffective outdoors (placebo)

Groundhog Deterrent: Mint

Plant around beds, spread clippings, stuff down burrows
Any mint works; mountain mint easiest in dry areas
Groundhogs hate it!

If Deer

Electronic deterrents (motion-activated) – see walnut_creek_enterprises.webs.com.

Why Not Mothballs?

No scientific evidence for free-roaming wildlife. "Mistaken cause" fallacy—people attribute natural damage cessation to mothballs.

Pests: Identifying and Controlling Leaf-Eating Pests on Persian Shield and Brazilian Red Cloak; Transplanted Chindo Viburnum Wilting: Shock, Water Correctly; Pothos Stem Bumps: Scale Insects; Outdoor Plant Chewing Damage: Pest ID Before Treatment; Jade Plant Black Spots and Leaf Drop: Sooty Mold from Scale; Protecting Sunflower Seedlings from Slugs: Grow Larger Transplants and Use Iron Phosphate; Caring for Established Blue Euphorbia: Watering Timing Matters; Identifying and Treating Caterpillar and Slug Damage on Sarracenia; Winter Sarracenia Leaf Management: Trim, Don't Worry About Energy Return; Managing Red Spider Mites on Vegetable Plants: Identification and Control

Garden Articles

Cleaning Spray Damage on Plants: Likely Fatal

Brown Bugs on Flowers in NC: Flea Beetles or Mites

Slugs: The Invisible Night Raiders in Your Vegetable Garden

Aphids, Whiteflies, and Caterpillars on Balcony Garden in Greece: Organic Sprays

Identifying Garden Plant Eaters: Deer, Groundhogs, or Rabbits?

Rabbit-Resistant Plants: No Guarantees, But Tough Leaves Last Longer

Potted Plants Die Suddenly: Overwatering and Low Light Are Top Killers

Plants

Controlling Female Asparagus Volunteers in Raised Beds

Rescuing Leggy Chili Pepper Seedlings

Preventing Mosquito Breeding in Carnivorous Plant Water Trays

Immediate Repotting of Dormant Plant-of-the-Month Club Shipments

Terracotta Pots for Carnivorous Plants: Pros and Cons

Squirrel Deterrence for Carnivorous Plants and Slow-Waking Purple Pitcher Plants

Emergency Winter Protection for Frozen Carnivorous Plants