I had the same problem , though not quite as bad as yours. I tried sprinkling cayenne pepper but they just dug through it. One reader here suggested putting large rocks over the area you planted, and this sounds to me the best way, other than using cages (who wants to go through all that trouble of cutting, forming and burying cages). With all the leaves falling off the trees now, you could try mulching newly planted corms (most of them are on sale now too)with a foot of leaves, see if they bother to dig through that. And if you chase them away everytime you see them, perhaps they may associate your garden with having a risk of getting eaten and avoid it if they have easier targets (my neighbours must wonder why i run out of the house in my morning robes so often making a shhhh noise, then go back as quickly back into the house). Once the ground is frozen solid, u're safe. Now comes the next challenge, apparently i hear those demon tree rats eat crocus leaves and flowers too....here we go again....

I doubt that it would. In my experience, gravel or lava rock is about the only thing that stops them probably because it's sharp. The lava rock works really well for me with my potted plants. I guess the same principle as the gravel. I've always used blood meal for newly planted areas. It seems if I can just keep the critters away for the first week or so, they rarely go back and cause serious damage. It is amazing what happens if I don't use it. They will dig out every single plant I put in the ground. It's almost like they watch me and follow right behind with those little claws. A bunch of us are being severely chastised right now on the Orchid Forum for our hatred of these demon spawn. The Squirrel Rights People just never give up. Kevin

This remedy came from another forum: Try mixing about equal parts peanut butter and plaster of Paris, then make marble-sized balls of the mix. Keep them in the fridge and put out a few at a time for the squirrels. I know it sounds cruel, but please read on: It is said that these do not kill the squirrels because it hardens in their gut and plugs them up, but because, as rodents, they are very sensitive to excess calcium (hypercalcemia), which basically gives them a heart attack. The POP provides the calicum. Someone on the thread pointed out that several rodenticides contain Vitamin D, which causes an accumulation of calcium = hypercalcemia; less direct method, but same end result. I checked, and, sure enough, several rodenticides do contain Vitamin D. I don't know if these balls would hurt birds or any other animals, I don't think so, but to be on the safe side I placed them inside a 2-liter soda bottle with both ends cut off to create a tube, weighted with a flat rock. When I last tried this, I did see a reduction in the number of squirrels running around. We were desperate, as they'd been getting into our house - actually chewing through the siding, bending metal flashing, and completely destroying two attic vents in order to get inside, where they not only chewed on things in storage, but the fiberglass insulation and the insulation on the electric wiring as well. So, this went waaaaayy beyond decapitated tulips, shredded crocus, and uprooted seedlings. I hope you find something that works for you (and that you all won't think I'm some kind of monster).

RAT ZAPPER CONTINUES TO WORK Like many on this thread I too felt guilty about eliminating chipmunks ... but have become increasingly frustrated and desperate when the population exploded and over ran our property and garden areas. Destructive, brazen and invasive is ALL an understatement when I see what these cute little critters have become. Granted the "pool of death" (the bucket) does work, but I found, at least for me, a cleaner, more convenient way to eliminate the munks ... the RatZapper ... no bucket to maintain/seed to replenish. I bought my first "zapper" back in May and eliminated 21 munks in approximately 10 days. Since then I bought 2 more and now there are almost 50 critters that no longer make their home in the area around my foundation, sidewalks and retaining walls. I place a little pile of sunflower seed at the back of the chamber and flip the switch. And location seems to be important. Under shrubs and near visible, active holes seems to be most effective. While I feel I need to eliminate them I want to do it as humanely as possible, and since it is illegal to relocate them in the state of CT, the Hav-A-Heart trap presents the dilemma of having to "off them" yourself and watch them die. An animal control professional I spoke to (off the record) indicated that "electrocution" is the fastest, most humane and cleanest way to do what has to be done. Interestingly, an Ohio State University critter/pest management site I visited indicated that 10 chipmunks or more per acre is considered an infestation population. I have caught almost five times that number in two areas, so I assume I am dealing with nature being way out of balance, at least as far as the chipmunk population. If you're getting more and more desperate, try the Zapper, it has worked for me.