h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, Venus
Our mutual friend, Bel, said I should ask you about my tomato plant. I can see by your page that you are well qualified to give plant advice!
If you don't mind, please tell me what you would do about a small critter (probably chipmunk/ground squirrel) that makes his tunnels through my raised bed and under my tomatoes. I think he emerges from under the retaining wall behind and enjoys the nice soft dirt to get to the front of the bed.
In years past, one plant will droop suddenly in hot weather just when it's fullest of fruit, and dies shortly after unless huge volumes of water are applied. I'm not sure if 'munk really eats the roots, or just disturbs them badly.

This year, I buried plastic gutter-guard (about a half-inch grid size) about six inches down before planting in that corner of the bed, and thought I'd solved it, (I spotted a weed near the bed front wiggling, so I knew he was still there but had moved.) However, a week ago my Amelia began wilting suspiciously in the heat, and has stopped growing or producing new fruit.
Any ideas? I don't want to use poison. Could I scare it away? I put cat hair into the compost already. Have wondered if sharp stick points in the ground would help.

Thanks for looking at this.

Hi there hstwrd.
I'm not sure how much help i'm going to be with this, i'm not familiar with chipmunks or ground squirrels, however i have a couple of suggestions that might help.
I don't know if you're familiar with the mesh baskets used for growing pond/water plants in, they're pretty common here. Anyway, you could try using those to grow your tomatoes in. Plant them into the baskets like you would into a pot, then sink them into the earth. It might help stop the disturbance of the roots by the rodents.
Chicken wire sunk into the perimeter of the raised bed might help too.
What is it that the rodents are frightened of? If i know that i can suggest a few more ideas.
I don't know if the pointed stick would work, being rodents they might gnaw them.
It's probably large air pockets that are killing your plants, caused by the tunneling. If the roots of a plant have no earth round them. they can't take up water, hence the wilt.
Sorry i havent given you the ultimate solution to your problem, i'll look into it further and see if i can find anything else to help.

Thanks for your answer, Venus.
I was hoping the gutter guard would act as chicken wire does -- perhaps I just need to use more. I have not seen the baskets you mention - one friend did suggest using an old collander. Similar, I think? I'll see if I can find some.
As for the sticks, I was thinking of using aluminum gutter nails if I can find them. Still, I've seen a regular squirrel eat through some sturdy stuff.

Chipmunks/ground squirrels are smaller than regular squirrels, round in the body, and reddish-brown with a black and white set of stripes down it's back, and a short tail.(Ever heard of "Alvin and the chipmunks"?) I thought the chipmunk would not like the cat hair -- the cat has been known to eat one now and then, but seems to have "retired". I haven't tried cat urine -- seems unsantitary, but I suppose I could dig it around the edge.

I wonder what would happen if I compacted the soil some? Usually you try not too, but maybe in this case...?

Do let me know if you find any other information.
Thanks again for replying.