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Garden Gate:  Groundhog vs. Farmgirl Part 2  |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 23 2011 : 2:31:16 PM
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Many of you already know my tale of woe about the blasted groundhog eating all my peas and beans in the garden. did the soap thing. Did the epsom salts thing. Even did the fox urine thing and it workrd for a while. I think this groundhog is the Einstein of groundhogs. Now it is munching on my carrot tops and my squash blossoms.
I hate to say this, but if I had a gun, I would shoot it. I've put pinwheels in the garden, owls in the garden. The scarecrow is going in when it gets bearable outside. And I don't leave everything in the same place. I switch it up every day.
This groundhog is my white whale.
If anyone has any other ideas please let me know. I'll try anything.
(And if my DH stands in front of me , one more time, singing that stupid song from "Caddyshack " and dancing like a groundhog with a big grin on his face - I just might make HIM the scarecrow) LOL
~ Elaine
Farmgirl sister #2822
"Find yourself a cup of tea; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things." ~Saki
http://embchicken.blogspot.com
http://gusandtrudy.blogspot.com |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2011 : 2:36:57 PM
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Got the same issue here. Tried bubble gum, tried placing a mirror in it's way. Moth balls. No luck. And it's dug right next to my front door down next to the foundation of the house.
Every year, same spot. 
ANGIE
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2
http://www.pinkroomponderings.blogspot.com/
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2011 : 2:43:00 PM
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LOL!!! Oh my gosh, Elaine - your husband sounds like mine! You poor thing! I feel for you! But it's not so funny, is it? I suffered through a groundhog last year. Everyone kept telling me the only way to get rid of one is to literally catch it and remove it to a far corner of the universe. I didn't do that, but I probably should have. Thankfully, it's not back this year - at least, not yet. Maybe if you try calling your county extension for more advice they could give you some new advice? When I called mine, they were pretty helpful. Hang in there - there just HAS to be a way!!! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6687 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6687 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2011 : 2:46:41 PM
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Oh Elaine, you are really quite funny even though it is not funny. But, at least you are able to take it in stride your hubby singing the Caddy Shack song, sounds like something my hubby would do.
We have prairie dogs and chipmunks, they are cute but so destructive, and like everyone else we have tried everything. Not sure if there is a remedy for it.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2011 : 3:31:14 PM
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SNAKES, not real ones (but they work too,lmao), belts make great snakes, drape them in your plants, coiled around them and at the hogs burrow hole, move them around everyday, this also works for birds in fruit trees...other wise a 22 is your best bet, and if you can't, I'm sure you have a neighbor or friend that will...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2011 : 06:48:08 AM
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Thank you so much for the advice! Nini~ I am going to head over to my county extension Monday or Tuesday - I have to talk to the "worm" guy there anyway - will ask them for their advice. Tina~ My nephews have a few rubber snakes that they would be willing to part with fr the cause - I am going to try that! Tina~ No gun here and the neighors don't have any but I can see a BB gun in my future (maybe a Red Rider like in "A Christmas Story lol). And Ladies~ DH is still singing and dancing and laughing - maybe a rubber snake under the sheets on hs side of the bed is in order !
~ Elaine
Farmgirl sister #2822
"Find yourself a cup of tea; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things." ~Saki
http://embchicken.blogspot.com
http://gusandtrudy.blogspot.com |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2011 : 06:57:29 AM
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Sprinkle red hot chili pepper on the ground around your plants. It works for our squirrels. that is unless you have a cajun ground hog....
Oh, and a Red Rider will probably not work. I have gone through a LOT of BB's. I hit the pests dead square and they only jump, run and come back.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jul 24 2011 06:58:41 AM |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2011 : 09:25:40 AM
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I use a good quality pump action pellet (not BB) rifle, it will kill any and all rodents with a well placed head shot, I use it when a gun noise is too upsetting for my livestock in the area of my farm...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
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mydakota
True Blue Farmgirl
152 Posts
kristi
redmond
oregon
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2011 : 6:34:27 PM
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My husband would do something like that. Lol! Good luck with your chuck.
HearthCricket Farm. Where the door is always open, and the coffee is always on. |
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2011 : 05:07:45 AM
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Elaine, I am so sorry to hear of your groundhog troubles (I've been fighting deer, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks off my garden left and right this year, but no groundhogs, yet!) But, I must say, you are so funny - I LOL reading your posts on this! I had a friend who had a problem with groundhogs last year, but I'm not sure what she tried. I'll ask her and post her suggestions ASAP if it's anything new. Hang in there and keep your sense of humor!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2011 : 2:35:38 PM
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dig a hole about 4 foot deep by 3 ft wide in an area that you won't be working the soil for a year or so, don't dicard the dirt, save it, you will need it...get a comfy chair , put it in the shade, bring some sweet tea or lemonade and a gun (either a 22 or a pellet rifle) out to said chair, get yourself comfy and wait quietly till that rodent shows his rotten self, take careful aim, fire, then grab rodent up by any body part, drop in pre-dug hole, loudly worn other rodents that this will happen to them also, kick dirt back in hole, drop a large rock or two on top, pat yourself on the back and say" I am women, hear me roar"...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2011 : 09:42:21 AM
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Good advice Tina!!!! ROFL.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2011 : 06:51:04 AM
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I feel asthough I am on a strategical mission. I am trying to find out where the groundhog has set up his hideout. I figure if I find out where he is I can take steps to remove him. This is what my summer has been reduced to - Farmgirl vs. groundhog! (Now I am sining that song from Caddyshack as I hunt the blasted beast)
~ Elaine
Farmgirl sister #2822
"Find yourself a cup of tea; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things." ~Saki
http://embchicken.blogspot.com
http://gusandtrudy.blogspot.com
http://embchicken-thechubbychicken.blogspot.com |
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mydakota
True Blue Farmgirl
152 Posts
kristi
redmond
oregon
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2011 : 5:41:46 PM
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Is a groundhog the same thing we call a rockchuck around here? A marmot?
HearthCricket Farm. Where the door is always open, and the coffee is always on. |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2011 : 9:03:16 PM
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The only other name I know for a groundhog is a woodchuck.
Now this morning I was mourning the loss of some of my sunflowers from a big storm last night. The sunflowers are around the corner of my house - the rest of the garden is connected but in the back yard. The next thing I hear is a bunch of yelling, screaming and the sound of running. I drop everything and round the corner to find my DD running through the garden chasing....yes chasing Monsieur Groundhog! This thing is huge and it can run! But we did find where it lives - under the shed in the fat corner of our property. The same shed that for two years I have been telling DH needs to come down. I am now strategically planning my next move - any suggestions? Anyone up for groundhog stew?
~ Elaine
Farmgirl sister #2822
"Find yourself a cup of tea; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things." ~Saki
http://embchicken.blogspot.com
http://gusandtrudy.blogspot.com
http://embchicken-thechubbychicken.blogspot.com |
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Kampercatt
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Zoe
Elkhorn
WI
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2011 : 5:47:49 PM
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| We had one of those things under my DH shop, friends told us to empty our cat litter box into the hole. Seemed to work for awhile and then it rained and washed it away. Good luck, they sure are annoying!! |
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
694 Posts
Emily
Chambersburg
PA
USA
694 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 12:15:40 PM
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I don't have any more tips than the other girls but I thought you would like a personal experience of my mother's
She worked for an elderly couple and they sold their land to Ryan homes. Well about two years into the development a ground hog came and was chewing up his vegetable garden. One morning he got up and sat with his shot gun at the back door. He then went outside and stood still, with the shot gun in hand, and also wearing only his underwear! Suddenly my mom was awoken by this big BANG! She looked outside and he was standing on the hill, in his underwear, with the shot gun, holding up the dead groundhog and smiling.
Ohh to live in that ryan neighborhood.
Good luck with the groundhog!
---
Farmgirl #2951
Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 2:05:56 PM
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Emily, just love it.....
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 3:51:33 PM
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I love Tina's advice, my experience is similar. Hubby got a new gun (he's not really a gun nut, but was trying to help out a friend) it is a Russian gun of large capacity (I have no idea about what that means, or if I am describing it correctly!)
I had a groundhog in my compost pile. He took aim, fired, and the groundhog problem was no more! Vaporized!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 5:15:19 PM
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Brenda, were you able to remove all the pieces out of your compost, cause it would get alittle stinky otherwise,lol...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
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Garden Gate: Groundhog vs. Farmgirl Part 2 |
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Groundhog vs. Farmgirl Part 2
