You can try starting your seedlings in a windowsill and planting them after they sprout to see if they critters mess with seedlings too. I know a lot of people leave their gourds in the field over winter but I never do. I pick them when they are still green and the tendril next to the gourd turns completely brown. They always dry for me fine this way and if critters are getting into your gourds I would recommend picking before they dry or start changing colors. I usually let the gourds dry in the basement or the shed and then I put them in metal trash cans after they dry so animals can't get to them (they eat through plastic trash cans).

Hope that helps

Weirdtrev,
I guess I will find a place in the house for starters. I did not know they could chew up plastic. I appreciate your thoughts and time. Thank you!