You could try using birdfeeders to dispense seed and then bring them in the house at night.

I have to bring in my suet and hummingbird feeders after dark, in order to save them from Raccoons...

Bringing in the food source at night should be the same to Raccoons as removing it.

nativesnut's idea to bring feeders in at night when you are having this kind of trouble is a good one. You would have to do it for awhile to be sure the animals raiding your feeders get the idea that there will be no more nighttime munchies at your place.

I am sorry that the mystery critters are ruining your plants. When you invest time, money and hard work in your gardens it is disheartening to go out and see something demolished. Unfortunately it is part of living near a wooded area (which I am assuming you do because of your reference to your trees). Some days I go out to see my snow-on-the-mountain looking like a grizzly bear rolled all over it. What animal did that? Who knows? It's frustrating. But what can you do?

I guess the best we can do is find ways to limit access to the things attracting the animals that are doing the damage. For instance, if you thought deer might be involved, you might put up some fence to discourage their coming around.

I wonder if your compost pile could be causing you trouble. Fresh food garbage of any kind is very tempting to raccoons and skunks I know (and probably the others). If the pile isn't in a secure container, that is probably attracting some of the above-mentioned animals. We used to have raccoons open our garbage cans and tip them over, especially if something aromatic was in there.

And then who knows where they go when they are finished there. Garden vegetables, I don't know what to say except that they are always tempting to some animals, it's a pain. I've gone out and found things chewed off my plants, and tops of plants gone, etc. and never known what did it. Maybe a skunk, maybe a cute bunny, maybe a groundhog. "Rabbit fence" or something similar might help.

In any case, good luck with this and stay with the forum, I haven't been here long but I've gotten a lot of really great, friendly advice.

native and chickadee, i really appreciate your responses very much.

patann,

Thanks for saying that, and I hope the situation improves for you soon. You obviously really love the birds and wildlife, I know that this will work out. Best of luck!

PatannL:
This is the first time I visited this Forum.

I make up a spray to keep deer away from plants.

Boil Garlic Powder in a quart of water, with some Red Pepper.
When it cools to lukewarm , beat in an egg, or 2 tablespoons of Powdered eggs.

Strain this thru a cloth and put it in a Spray, or Stream
bottle.( like Windex )

Spray you plants , flowers or whatever.

I tested it on Deer Corn, they won't go near it.
I'm not sure of the other Animals.
Give it a test
Lou

Thank you, Lou, too.

One thing that you can do is to just put a small amount of birdseed out each day (like one cup per day). so there is just enough food for the birds during the day, but not so much food left over to attract the destructers (coons, ground hogs and possums).

joepye, that's a very good idea. However, since i first posted this, I stopped feeding birds altogether and have noticed much more Robin activity in my baths, which I love. Also noticed other non-seed-eating birds around more. The new tribe of crows or blackbirds or grackels or starlings are GONE. The Cardinals, nuthatches, titmice, etc., now come for the bugs and water. I love it.

joe, i will give thought to reducing my birdfood this winter, thanks to your suggestion.