Author Topic: gardening question, dealing with varmints (Read 2320 times)

Iuvenalis · « **on:** July 11, 2013, 05:25:42 PM »

We do not have rabbits here.

It's either a cat, a squirrel, a possum, or a bird.

Something is sampling the barely emerging cucuмbers.

How shall I keep away such varmints? In your opinion(s)?

Telesphorus · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:28:49 PM »

they must be hungry (or maybe thirsty) if they're eating cucuмbers.

Nadir · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:29:50 PM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

We do not have rabbits here.

It's either a cat, a squirrel, a possum, or a bird.

Something is sampling the barely emerging cucuмbers.

How shall I keep away such varmints? In your opinion(s)?

I look forward to reading some responses here, meanwhile I am going to puzzle over the possibility of :scratchchin:cucuмber-eating cats.

Nadir · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:31:52 PM »

Quote from: Telesphorus

they must be hungry (or maybe thirsty) if they're eating cucuмbers.

:applause:
You could try growing pumpkins instead. I think you call them summer squash or something like that.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:33:24 PM »

Sorry for high the hijack but is there a secret to keeping so many weeds from growing?

Iuvenalis, my guess is a rabbit.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:36:39 PM »

Quote from: MyrnaM

Sorry for high the hijack but is there a secret to keeping so many weeds from growing?

Keep them from ever getting established. Keep the land around them cleared of weeds.

Other than weed-killer and plastic mulch, or other barriers, there's nothing you can do but religiously hoe and pull.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:49:31 PM »

Quote from: Telesphorus

Quote from: MyrnaM
Sorry for high the hijack but is there a secret to keeping so many weeds from growing?

Keep them from ever getting established. Keep the land around them cleared of weeds.

Other than weed-killer and plastic mulch, or other barriers, there's nothing you can do but religiously hoe and pull.

That is what I have been doing, just thought I was missing something easier. :farmer:

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:46:36 PM »

1) it's not a rabbit I said.

2) It's not eating *cucuмbers* but the barely emerging plant (leaves essentially) just a week from being planted as seed, but itll never get to producing cukes if it keeps getting harassed.

ShepherdofSheep · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:58:47 PM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

We do not have rabbits here.

It's either a cat, a squirrel, a possum, or a bird.

Something is sampling the barely emerging cucuмbers.

How shall I keep away such varmints? In your opinion(s)?

Cats are the least likely.

Rabbits would be my guess as well- I'll take your word for it that you don't have any, although I find it surprising.

You could add deer, chipmunks, and raccoons to the list as well. Do you have geese or ducks around? Goats?

I'm not sure there is much to do except to fence them in or park behind a tree with a firearm. There are products out there designed to repel vermin but I don't believe they work all that well, such as foul-tasting chemical products.

If you are seriously desperate you could try putting nets around the plants but it's tedious and certainly not guaranteed. Besides, the plants need to grow.

I'll ask my cucurbit-savvy sister if she has any suggestions.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:59:19 PM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

1) it's not a rabbit I said.

2) It's not eating *cucuмbers* but the barely emerging plant (leaves essentially) just a week from being planted as seed, but itll never get to producing cukes if it keeps getting harassed.

how do you know it's not a deer or a rabbit?

What about insects?

jen51 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:16:16 PM »

Quote from: MyrnaM

Sorry for high the hijack but is there a secret to keeping so many weeds

Weeds were my arch enemy at the beginning of the summer. I refused to use any kind of spray so i pulled and pulled for the longest time. I battled them constantly until I had enough and took extreme measures, lol. First I pulled every weed in the garden. Then I put a layer of newspapers over it all, but around the plants of course. Then I put a layer of cardboard over that. Then I put a thick layer of straw over that! It pretty much did the weeds in and I felt very satisfied. Every once in awhile a weed will somehow break through all of that but I pull it up right away.

All of those three layers of mulch can be tilled under in the fall, creating an even more fertile bed next spring.

jen51 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:21:51 PM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

We do not have rabbits here.

It's either a cat, a squirrel, a possum, or a bird.

Something is sampling the barely emerging cucuмbers.

How shall I keep away such varmints? In your opinion(s)?

Are chipmunks and ground squirrels a possibility? Also, pocket gophers. Sneaky little buggers they are. I've not had problems with them here, but other places I have. If it is the case, your best bet, IMO, would be to locate the hole and set a trap in there. We were very successful with the pocket gophers that way.

I have a rat terrier that patrols the yard and does a fine job of sniffing out rodents.

Zeitun · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:52:54 PM »

Coffee grounds or bars of strong smelling soap deter cats, rabbits, deer, etc.

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2013, 10:52:07 PM »

I live in Los Angeles, it's not deer, it's not rabbits.

Raccoons we have. Squirrels we have.

Nadir · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2013, 11:33:46 PM »

Slugs or snails?