How can I prevent varmits from eating my 1st year strawberry plants down to the stems?

Question

I tried small wind ornaments that worked for a few weeks, but last night I was invaded again and now my luscious, healthy plants, just planted in March and now sending off shoots, are damaged again and the leaves have been eaten.

One plant was pulled from the ground. I suspect deer, groundhogs, raccoons, or rabbits. Would bonemeal deter the varmits?

Answer 1

You might need to use 2 different things............deer hate irish spring original cake soap, ivory soap or dial soap.........they are the only ones that I tried......but if you have rabbits...........I use dried blood meal..................and you might need a 6 ft fence with extra small opening fence to keep the rabbits out.  Pulled out is a deer event....eating everything into the roots is a rabbit............

Answer 2

I read somewhere that raccoons don't like to mess with netting - guess it gets tangled in their claws.  Make sure it's elevated above the plants and is sturdily attached to the risers.