Dealing with Mice, Bats, and Other Pests

Uninvited Guest: Chipmunk

Habitat: Woody, brushy areas.

Annoying habits: Dismantles potted plants and damages bushes by burrowing under roots. Helps itself to flower bulbs and seedlings.

What you need to know: Constructs tunnels up to 30 feet long. Goes underground in winter, living off cached food. Busy, busy, busy in early morning and late afternoon, scouring for snacks and unearthing rock gardens and geraniums.

What you need to do: Keep pet food indoors. Stuff hardware cloth into gaps in the foundation of the house. Trim ground-cover plants so that the offenders have fewer places to hide. Experiment with chipmunk repellents, such as those made by Deer Stopper.

If that doesn't work: Bait live-catch traps with peanut butter, raisins, or granola. Brands of traps include Tomahawk (livetrap.com) and Havahart (havahart.com). For pros who can capture and relocate creatures, go to icwdm.org.