From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Key West, FL

Well now I'm superstitious, something decided my pumpkin might taste good but then decided it didnt, there is one bite mark in my best pumpkin, it is about 1/4 of an inch deep, 1/4 wide, and about 1 inch long. Does this bite mean my best is finished? Or can I still grow it out?

7/17/2003 1:39:30 PM

Key West, FL

There should be a picture up later in my diary when either Ken or Dave (John ;))get on an do an update.

7/17/2003 1:41:25 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Ben, check out Bruisers diary from 2001.

7/17/2003 1:51:21 PM

Nova Scotia

how big is the fruit now? the bigger the fruit the less it matters. sound like a small scratch but on a baby it could be drastic

7/17/2003 1:54:47 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

here is a link to one page of his diary
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=2707

7/17/2003 2:04:12 PM

Nova Scotia

ben i think you'll be fine and i think i know your coulpret. when i was a kid i use to have bit marks like you discribe on the back of all my pumpkins. after staking out the patch i found it was birds. i used a rubber snake this year and had no bites or a blow up owl will work as a kid i killed the bird and hung him out to dry above my pumpkin and i had no more problems. as well a good shade structure will hide it from a lot of fling critters.

7/17/2003 2:49:54 PM

Nova Scotia

ben i think you'll be fine and i think i know your coulpret. when i was a kid i use to have bit marks like you discribe on the back of all my pumpkins. after staking out the patch i found it was birds. i used a rubber snake this year and had no bites or a blow up owl will work as a kid i killed the bird and hung him out to dry above my pumpkin and i had no more problems. as well a good shade structure will hide it from a lot of fling critters.

7/17/2003 2:51:05 PM

[email protected]

If you can find it, try Miller Hot Sauce. 400 times stronger than the heart (capascin) on a cayenne pepper. The same stuff Police pepper spray is made out of. Nothing is stupid enough to bite this stuff! That or stake out the patch for hours with a gun.

7/17/2003 3:17:47 PM

Key West, FL

The bite mark looks like two front teeth so I think it is some sort of rodent, bunny, very big mouse or rat. I have 2 plastic owls around my patch but the birds just sit on them.

7/17/2003 3:49:27 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Birds are immune to capsaicin in fact it is added to bird food to repel squirrels.

7/17/2003 6:54:21 PM

Western Pa.

Most don't consider rats are a possibility, because they are a little smarter than your average vermin, and come out only after dark. Set a trap with a piece of pepperoni or salami to trap a rat! I've also found a little cayenne powder will quickly discourage anything that chews on your pumpkin or plant. If you find a hole with no loose dirt, your culprit is probably a chipmunk!

7/17/2003 8:59:43 PM

[email protected]

Good point Sasquash. I've even painted my wife's bird feeders to keep the squirrels off & never noticed the birds beibg affected. Then again, I've never seen birds attacking a pumpkin. But there is a first time for everything I suppose. If it does turn out to be a bird Ben, then get a hold of some Flight Control which is Anthraquinone. Marketted for Goose repellency, but works on many other species too.

My money still goes on the squirrel though.

Steve

7/17/2003 9:58:56 PM

Key West, FL

I'm pretty sure it is a squirrel even though I have not seen one in months. I sprinkled some red pepper on the pumpkin and put a radio in the patch.

7/18/2003 1:09:27 AM

porterville,california usa

peppers and a radio? throw in some Corona and tequila and you got a fiesta!

7/18/2003 3:47:54 AM

[email protected]

Throw in some Corona and tequila and you may find me in your patch. Maybe even chewing on the pumpkins.

7/18/2003 4:17:32 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

If it squrriels and chipmonks try some standing water old bird bath on the ground...sometimes it just the water they're after you been dry lately?

7/18/2003 6:27:51 AM

Key West, FL

Its been pretty dry but I dont want to give the squirrels a reason to go into my patch. It was squirrels, i saw the foot prints.

You guys missed it, the party was last night.

7/18/2003 3:10:13 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

ben, same thing happen to me..lost one on the 805 pukos and the one on the 845 nesbitt still growing 4" a day in cir..but has discolor where the squrriel bit it ..i guess time will tell..i hope it heals

7/18/2003 8:54:48 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Ben don't leave the water in the patch, just somewhere they can get to it.
one less reason for them to do in!

7/19/2003 7:31:40 AM