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Western NY

I found a few random wilted vines out there today, traced them back and it appears they have been chewed through. I'll be setting traps tonight, but has anyone else had this problem?

8/11/2010 2:26:28 PM

Garner, NC

Every melon I grew this year was on a 2" foam sheets. Well we know that it rotted the bottoms, but not only that it's a great place for mice to make dens. Every melon had a family living underneath. I just lined each melon with traps, and bought some decon mice bait. I put 2 by each melon and tossed several out in the pacth. Has worked well so far. I thought I had them due to all the chicken feed, but it must be a problem for others as well.

8/11/2010 3:00:36 PM

sevierville, Tn

I have been told by NC growers that the mice/rats go after the water in the vines. Is it dry there?

8/11/2010 3:01:08 PM

Western NY

The melons themselves are fine - I have them on sand and have not had anything try to tunnel into the sand yet.

It was dry early in the summer, but we've been catching up on rain lately.

8/11/2010 3:04:45 PM

Lexington, Ky

Baby rabbit?

8/11/2010 4:05:57 PM

Lloydminster/AB

I have had them chew off baby melons lots of times. I keep traps around all my plants now. I'm upwards of 40 dead so far this year. Multiple catch traps work great outside, sometimes there will be 4 mice by morning!

8/12/2010 12:41:21 AM

Western PA

Andy, I read an article on Jane Hunts Canadian record melon and she said that they had mice troubles that summer because it was dry.They did exactly what smp said,they chew the vines for water.The Hunts put out water dishes for the mice, to try to help with them chewing on their melon vines. If I remember correctly, it helped. I printed the artice but can't find it at the moment.That artice may be on this site somewhere. Maybe Phil or Jane will chime in.

8/12/2010 2:54:24 PM

Garner, NC

If I'm gonna give them a drink, why not a drink of anti-freeze! The 3 step cocktail! Always drink responsible

8/12/2010 3:24:47 PM

Trinity River Bottom

don't put water out for little b___terds . if you can't eatem killem.

8/12/2010 3:44:05 PM

Western PA

I think Ice Man is onto something.

8/12/2010 7:23:56 PM

Frankfort Oh

lol,Iceman-that a boy

8/12/2010 9:41:33 PM

Glosta

Mice have left my melons alone so far, have gotten 5 of my big maters though, decon has been eaten by something, lets hope the neighbors dog has been smart to stay away.

8/13/2010 3:45:07 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I have two yardcats, they keep my world mice and vole free, and get rid of the treerats too. Oh and also the stupid feathered dinosaur population is pretty thin.

8/13/2010 8:14:46 AM

sevierville, Tn

Better be old antifreeze, the new has a bittering agent to keep people/pets from drinking it.

8/13/2010 2:19:14 PM