More Garden Predators With Pointed Faces

[Hotwater]

A few weeks ago I submitted a post about my ongoing battle against squirrels in the garden. I think I finally got them under control. At last count there were about 8 KIA's. The deer have also been a problem as they are 365 days a year. They are always a threat to the garden and my wife's flowers and shrubs. Now there is another enemy. Two days ago we found that our first cantaloupe had been eaten during the night. We also found a couple of watermelons that had been eaten also. That night I put out a live trap baited with watermelon. The next morning the watermelon had been eaten and the trap had been sprung but was empty. It was an M.O. that I was familiar with and I told my wife I thought it was racoons. I declared war on them as they had aligned with the "pointy faced devils" described in the earlier post. The garden was under attack night and day. My response would be patience and the .22. It worked on the squirrels. Killing is the best solution. The offenders don't repeat once they have been killed. Last night I put half a watermelon in the garden along with cantaloupe rinds. I set up on the deck with a spotlight and the .22 rifle. At 9:30 I shined the light on the bait and there was a racoon devouring the bait. It was his last supper. Now we wait and see what's next. This year's garden is one of the best in a long time. Protecting it has been difficult.

[golfprocrappieman]

Get em hot water! I had a problem with squirrels eating tomatoes one year!!! Work your butt off and feed the animals! I've been on an Armadillo Killing spree at Sugar Creek....1 westie that loves to hunt...a .22 with hollow points ...and a 600 lumen Stream light...job done!

[papasage]

git a dog

[Redge]

Keeps your aim tuned up! Keep after them pointy face Devils!!

[Hotwater]

git a dog

I agree that a dog is the best deterrent. We have talked about it but it is more than we want to take on considering: fencing, vet bills, dog food and finding someone to look after it when we want to go out of town.

[papasage]

i have 2 and that is a problem .

[Anchor Man]

I had problems this year with all kinds of animals. Ground hogs, rabbits, deer, squirrels, all kinds of birds. It was a struggle but a great year for vegies.

[Slabby15]

Get a dog that makes me laugh. My black Lab was eating more tomatoes than I was. He would play with the tomatoes and then eat them. I finally had to put a fence around my garden to keep him out. He even played with the Jalapeno peppers, I don't know if he actually eat any. He did do well keeping the birds and squirrels away. LOL. I loved that dog.

[Brimfisher]

I haved used a kind of gross solution. Being a Zookeeper, I have access to the feces of large predators, lions, and tigers. I placed the dung around ths edge of the garden. It worked for me. Not 100% but a good deal. Worked best on the rabbits and deer. Some zoos will share dodo with you if you ask.

[Hotwater]

I haved used a kind of gross solution. Being a Zookeeper, I have access to the feces of large predators, lions, and tigers. I placed the dung around ths edge of the garden. It worked for me. Not 100% but a good deal. Worked best on the rabbits and deer. Some zoos will share dodo with you if you ask.

There is a young man in our church who runs a nature center nearby. No lions or tigers but I do think they have a cougar and I know they have coyotes. I will check with him. Thanks.