Seriously
... I have successfully used a couple of tactics:
Bone meal can be sprinkled on the surface of existing plants or buried while planting new plants or seeds to ward off some rodents and deer. Don't breath it and plan on replenishing it on the surface to maintain the protection. I use it in the veggie garden (perimeter or side dressing individual plants) and also for flower beds as the rabbits and deer think they're more than pretty popsies, they're a delicacy to nibble.
I've also begun to plant garlic in with just about everything to ward off underground pests - rodents and insects.
I've had cats that were excellent gopher-getters and also have a couple of dogs that are happy to dig and chase anything and everything that they deem worthy of their efforts. The downside to that is that their choice and mine don't always coincide - flower beds and pots are subject to full searches, for example. Another risk is that the neighbor's ferret became the chase du jour one fateful day and we had stinkin' dogs due to the musk glands. We also have bubonic plague in this region and its generally carried by the fleas on rodents so I cringe when critters interact, no matter who wins.
[This message has been edited by BuggabooBren (edited 06-07-2004).]