According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the spice is also useful in keeping mammalian pests, such as squirrels and groundhogs, away from your plants.
Black pepper has antibacterial properties that help reduce the spread of disease from plant to plant, without the negative impacts of chemical pesticides.
Since nosy animals are repelled by the spice’s strong smell and harsh flavor, your home-grown vegetables will be spared as the critters go in search of something with less bite.