Tips for Keeping Wildlife Away from Sprinkler Boxes

While chipmunks may seem cute, they can cause severe damage to a sprinkler box.

Sometimes, rodents start testing sprinkler boxes like a tasty treat. For tips on keeping wildlife away from the sprinkler box, read on. It can be frustrating and expensive to find that a rat, gopher, or coyote has gotten into a sprinkler box and caused damage. Luckily, there are some helpful ways to critter-proof a sprinkler box. First, homeowners should figure out what kind of animals are causing the issue. Below are a few common culprits and tips on how to handle them. 

Chipmunks

While chipmunks may seem cute, they can cause severe damage to a sprinkler box. With sharp teeth to chew through wire, plastic, and other materials, chipmunks are trouble for homeowners. If they get into the sprinkler box, they may chew through irrigation wires, which can be an expensive repair. 

Luckily, there are multiple methods for getting rid of chipmunks. Repellent spray inside the box is effective, but can be harmful to pets or children. It's best to trap and remove the chipmunks or the food source that is attracting them. Chipmunks especially like lily bulbs but are also attracted to bird feeders, nuts, and seeds. Protect plants and bird feeders so chipmunks are not attracted to them as a food source. 

Rats and mice

Rats and mice are also effective chewers, making them dangerous to a sprinkler box. They may be attracted to the safety inside a sprinkler control box, and attempt to make a nest inside–chewing through irrigation wires in the process. Check boxes for signs of nesting on a regular basis, and consider placing traps inside or near the unit. 

Squirrels

Like their rat and chipmunk cousins, squirrels are skilled at chewing through almost anything. One common complaint is that squirrels are chewing on plastic sprinkler heads. Rather than repeatedly replacing sprinkler heads, try this: coat nozzles with hot sauce and water using a spray bottle. Squirrels will be scared off by the spicy sensation.

Gophers

Not only will these critters chew on sprinkler boxes and wires, but they can be destructive if they tunnel through a lawn. Gophers have also been known to chew holes in sprinkler pipes and drip lines to complete their underground tunnels. A tell-tale sign of gophers is their characteristic mounds, which form when gophers have been tunneling below the surface of a lawn. 

Unfortunately, the only way to effectively remove gophers is to use traps or bait. However, homeowners can deter gophers from their lawns in the first place by using plants including gopher spurge, marigold, daffodils, and castor beans. 

Coyotes

Coyotes love to chew through drip lines, leaving them ineffective for watering plants (or conserving water.) A small, rabbit proof fence can help deter coyotes from entering a yard.  

Rabbits

Like coyotes, rabbits, too, enjoy munching on drip lines. But why are they doing it in the first place? The truth is that rabbits, squirrels, and coyotes are attracted to drip line because it’s an easy water source. Providing other accessible water sources, such as shallow bowls that collect rainwater, will deter rabbits from chewing into drip lines. 

Pet Dogs

Sometimes the most obvious culprit is the one closest to home. If a family pet is left unattended outdoors, check to see if they may be causing damage to sprinkler systems. Dogs can chew wiring inside of boxes or cause damage to other parts of a sprinkler system. Make sure all parts of the sprinkler system are safe from nosy pets. 

Final tips for keeping wildlife out of sprinkler boxes 

• Seal the lid, bottom, sides, and all openings. 

• Sprinkler boxes drain rainwater out the bottom, so VoleBloc or mesh can be used to line the bottom of the box. 

• Weigh down the top of the sprinkler box with wire, concealing it from wildlife. 

• Fill plumbing openings or other vulnerable spots with steel wool or sharp wool, allowing water (but not animals) to flow through. 

With over 10 years of experience in the Peoria, Arizona, area, HS Irrigation and Landscape Lighting offers sprinkler design and installation, irrigation repair and maintenance, drip irrigation, and landscape lighting design and installation. Feel free to call us at 623 292 5478.