I was losing a lot of peas and beans to critters too, at one time. Now I protect my peas by putting tomato cages in and planting a whole bunch of seeds in the middle.
Then I cut off enough of a length of chicken wire to go around the outside of the tomato cage and wrap it around.
Sine the chicken wire comes in rolls, it has a tremendous desire to stay that way so you pry it apart and let it spring around the tomato cage and it basically holds itself on.
The peas then grow up side the chicken wire encased tomato cage and they are supported and protected by it. I always get a great crop and they are clean since they are not dragging on the ground and it’s easy to pick the peas from any side.
That is a genius idea. Next year I will do peas. They are so pretty and so delicious but need to be done by July here.