From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Our patch has recently been targeted by a couple of squirrels that have been ripping and tearing up the leaf stalk to lap up the water that forms at the base. They were targeting freshly buried vines at first and graduated to the leaves themselves. I tried placing drinking bowls, scaring them and the cat has even chased a few for me to no avail.

At this point in the season I could not tolerate any further destruction so I bit the bullet and bought some coyote urine and used a syringe to squirt it around in appropriate areas of my patch. Poof...problem solved!! The squirrels are so scared they are avoiding my whole property.

This company sells coyote, fox, bobcat, wolf and cougar urine. That pretty much covers all the predators that would scare the critters away from your patch.

Check them out at http://www.legupenterprises.com

8/26/2005 1:17:11 PM

Sioux Falls, SD garyboer@dakotalink.com

My dad has had trouble with this in his pumpkins and watermelons. . .also crows pecking watermelons for the moisture. He just started keeping a pan of water out there and he said that took care of it.

8/26/2005 1:42:54 PM

Taber, Alberta

My dad also had trouble with squirrels, but they went after his tomato plants. He stuck a cheap radio in the garden and his problem was solved. Do pumpkins like music? I know the squirrels didn't.
Alan

8/26/2005 1:46:15 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I used coyote Urine and didnt see a deer until I ran out, got it at http://www.predatorpee.com/

8/26/2005 1:50:17 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan (michiganpumpkins@sbcglobal.net)

I'll vouch for coyote urine. Also fox urine scared off a groundhog doing some serious chomping in my patch....

8/26/2005 2:17:24 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

A rabbit chewed on my best pumpkin 2 nights ago, so I sprayed it with raccoon urine last evening. There was no more damage visible this morning. I need to re-apply, as we had a little light rain today.

8/26/2005 5:39:39 PM

Montoursville, PA

Try a pinch of salt in your water offerings.

8/26/2005 8:53:39 PM

Sioux Falls, SD garyboer@dakotalink.com

whats the thinking behind the salt?

8/27/2005 10:31:49 AM

Montoursville, PA

My thinking is based on observed facts, on my property. The many critters were chewing my garden hoses. Someone suggested they were chewing for the salts, in the hoses and not so much,for the water. I do what I have suggested and have had no more hose chewing. Your plants contain salts. Nearly all critters will lick a salt block. A pinch in your watering tray is just an easy way, to satisfiy the salt need, for the critters.

Should you have natural sea salt like Redmond's Sea Salt there are a bunch, of trace elements, in very small amounts in the salt.........just like the stems, of your plant, that the critters are chewing upon.

Most agricultural salts have trace elements added. Food for thought. In our area those blocks, of salt, would be yellow or brown.

8/27/2005 10:47:11 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

If they are chewing fer salts and you are adding salts in your watering,....wouldnt that invite them back?

8/27/2005 10:56:00 AM

Long Island,New York

Thats when you shoot them Tom.

8/27/2005 4:24:47 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

lol!

8/27/2005 4:50:09 PM