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Westmoreland, KS

Hi matt I just saw your plants...I'm sure it is to late this year but I've had animals eating the tips off of my plants in the past. My dad who is a farmer said to put moth balls all around the plants. I did that and it kept the animals away...maybe something to try next year.

7/19/2016 8:52:57 AM

Central NY

Use very small and sharp scalpel to cut them off ....

7/19/2016 9:22:52 AM

Germany

Porkchop, you need to find the animals before you can cut them off! (...maybe I just misinterpreted your post and the initial meaning was something like cutting off the moths´ balls with the sharp scalpel, not sure though what this would have to do with pumpkin growing...VoooooDoooo perhaps.)

;-)

7/19/2016 9:31:35 AM

Westmoreland, KS

LOL to Moths' balls

7/19/2016 9:56:07 AM

Hadley Ny

Put the moth balls in water in containers around your plants. Don't need but 2 or 3 to a container..bucket..cups 1 is fine. You don't want those chemicals in your soil!! Especially if your eating any veggies in the area.

7/19/2016 5:21:23 PM

Central NY

Cool tip..,how long will they last in water?

7/19/2016 6:32:30 PM

Hadley Ny

As long as they still smell. It's the gases they put out that keeps critters away. If rodents are a problem the closer to the ground the better. Plate will work. Cancer causing chemicals..again don't use around veggies..they will absorb the chemicals thru there leaves. Often used in attics in a pail with water for bats.

7/19/2016 6:58:06 PM

Connecticut

Hi Jake (and others)-

Thanks for the suggestions. However, I have decided to go with a little bit more of a powerful path. I invested in official electric netting. After doing a lot of research (what else is new) I selected netting for more complete coverage and ease of installation. More specifically, I decided on positive/negative netting as this offers the "best" control.

Well today I finally had all of the parts in-hand so it is now fully set-up and functional. I also updated my diary with some more pictures of the damage (viewer discretion is advised). Basically, a squirrel was able to eat every single vine tip (and pumpkins) from all six of my plants! After 16 years of only a nibble or two in total this quite surprising to me, why this year? My only guess is for water has it has been very dry which is uncommon. What is extra perplexing is if you look at my patch there are three fences that were in place so I just added my fourth today.

Here are some quick links to my diary page for those that want to see my electric netting system complete with pictures and descriptions.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=261292
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=261293
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=261294
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=261295

7/19/2016 10:43:05 PM

Central NY

Sorry about the plants Matt....and don't pee on that new fence...

7/19/2016 10:46:36 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Dang Matt I can't believe that they did all that damage but the fence looks awesome.

And thanks for the tips Hoff..I put them in cups around my pumpkins but i didn't have them in water. I'll have to give that a try in the future.

7/20/2016 9:54:43 AM

Wixom MI.

put a bowl of bird seed in a live trap and you will catch squirrels !!!

7/20/2016 3:08:15 PM

Connecticut

Porkchop- Thanks for the tip;-)

Jake- I was very surprised by the amount of damage myself

wixom-grower- I did catch a few with some sunflower seeds in a live trap, but the problem child did not want seeds but pumpkin plants. Hopefully, the one will teach the rest that the seeds are the way to go and not mess with the pumpkin plants;-)

7/21/2016 11:50:01 PM

Walhalla, ND.

I saw your net Matt, pretty cool stuff.

7/21/2016 11:54:04 PM