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Garden Gate:  Problem with squash stealers  |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 27 2011 : 06:11:48 AM
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Hi Girls,
Last year it was blight. This year I finally figured out what is happening to my squash....chipmunks are stealing it. Anyone know how to repel the little critters? They can fit through my cyclone fencing!
I don't want to harm them, but would like to keep them out of the garden. The rubber snake I have in there isn't scaring them. Any ideas? SOS - Save Our Squash!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2011 : 06:31:56 AM
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I don't know if it would help Nicole, or even if it is safe for chipmunks, but you can get bitter apple or bitter orange spray to keep animals from chewing on things.I use bitter orange spray to keep my cats from trashing my house plants. That or you can make a mild soap solution and spray it on your squash...it should taste bad to them and hopefully they'll leave your garden alone plus the soap spray is a bunch less expensive. Just use a mild non-toxic soap and that should keep your family safe from harm while handling the plants and squash.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2011 : 3:29:20 PM
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I use bars of original dial soap around the garden about every 10 feet. Works on rabbits and deer as well!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2011 : 3:44:33 PM
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predator urine, fox, coyote, weasel, what ever you have in your area, you can buy it at all sporting good stores...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2011 : 08:54:20 AM
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Believe it or not I have been very lucky----unless the animals just don't come to my area of the yard----but I have a string of old dvds....hung on a string hanging across the garden..... they move around a bit and scare the animals----I think.
Beverly Gill
There's no place like home |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 06:38:20 AM
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Karrieann,
LOL! You always make me smile!
Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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lisalisa
True Blue Farmgirl
216 Posts
Lisa
Broomall
PA
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 11:58:11 AM
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I'm not the only one with this problem?
The deer love my cherry-hot peppers (so much for using hot pepper to keep them away!)
I tried the rubber snake last year, moved it every day and still - no good. I also used a type of black mesh, but it trapped snakes - which I didn't even knew we had in these parts! So, that didn't work, either....
Now my squash seems to be disappearing before it begins - especially the female flowers. (There are always plenty of males, though....)
I'm about to give up, too! I have tried a spray to keep deer away, but boy, does it smell! I guess I'll spray again tonight and see how it goes.
I do like the Donald Duck idea, I bet it would work!
-----L |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 2:44:39 PM
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Oh Nicole.... that just made me laugh. I'm sorry they are being stolen, but it hit my funny bone. Needed that today. We have outside cats so small critters are less of an issue for us. Good luck,
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 5:16:52 PM
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Maybe a Donald Duck Scarecrow, that would scare even me,lol...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 5:45:32 PM
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I'm with Tina. A Donald Duck scarecrow would take care of just about anything that could come into your yard! :) I did a search online for your issue, Nicole, and didn't come up with anything that hasn't already been mentioned here. See, farmgirls are smarties!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2011 : 05:28:13 AM
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Or maybe spread some dog hair? I spread dog hair around my garden and that seems to work pretty well.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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lisalisa
True Blue Farmgirl
216 Posts
Lisa
Broomall
PA
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2011 : 11:48:13 AM
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I was just a my mom's yesterday (Lancaster County, PA), and I saw that a lot of the farms there had owl statues in the garden.
Just wanted to pass it on......
Good luck! ---L |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2011 : 1:24:30 PM
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Well, think nature may have fixed the problem. The past few days, every time I venture in the veggie garden, I encounter a snake!! (Did use ALL of your advice, thanks so much farmgirls)!
Funny thing is, now I see squash coming!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2011 : 1:58:34 PM
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if you have rodents, they will come, the snakes that is, best rodent repeler around,lol...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2011 : 2:09:21 PM
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I'm not too afraid of them, having grown up in Texas with rattlers and all, but I still get startled when I see one I didn't know was there! LOL, wonder what the neighbors must think!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2011 : 2:17:06 PM
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yes, I have mojave green rattlers here where I live, and they do tend to blend in, the first one of the season makes me jump and squeal alttle, which does not stop me from disposeing of it (they are the only snakes I kill thou), and after that one, I am good for the rest of the season, just my eagle eyes are on double duty...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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upnorthgirl
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
Sharon
St. Germain
WI
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2011 : 6:43:02 PM
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While you are on the subject of squash, I have a perplexing problem, no it isn't chipmunks... however I have several beautiful squash plants with a ton of blossoms, and not a single vegetable on them. Someone told me to buy blossom set, so I did, but it does not seem to be working, does anyone have any suggestions? Everyone comments on how huge the squash vines are, and I am embarrassed as there are no squash attatched to them. Thanks,
Sharon
FG sister #3239 |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2011 : 04:43:27 AM
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Sharon,
Everyone around here seems to have the same issue...our season is really "late" and not having veggies the way we should. Is it just your squash or do you have the same thing going on with other things too?
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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upnorthgirl
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
Sharon
St. Germain
WI
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2011 : 6:15:10 PM
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Hi Nicole,
It seems to only be the squash, I got out my paint brush this morning, and began to cross polinate. I did have time this evening to look a little closer at all of the squash plants, and I think I found several "male" blossoms. At first I thought I had a lesbian plant as I only saw female blossoms, but low and behold there it was a male... So, I am under the assumption that the male blossoms are the "fruit bearers", am I correct on that one? If so, I think I might be OK. Will have to keep a better eye on the plants. I also noticed that I did not have many bees roaming around the garden, so I think I might have to plant a few flowers next year to attract the bees. I haven't planted a whole lot of squash in the past, so this is a new plant for me. Will keep you informed as to the progress of the "males".
Thanks, Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #3239 |
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Garden Gate: Problem with squash stealers |
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Problem with squash stealers
