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Knopp, Germany

Whatever it is that is digging under my squash has kept on going. When I went to check today I found that the hole I had dug yesterday was almost filled in with a very loose soil, like something had pushed it in. So I removed that soil and took this picture. You can see the hole, it is about 10 inches deep and a good 2 feet under the squash. What do you think it is? The picture is the last one in my diary.

10/6/2005 12:03:38 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Do you guys have pocket gophers?

10/6/2005 12:14:24 PM

Long Island,New York

Pick the damn thing and put it in the garage for a few days...geez...thats what I did. I can't take the stress of a greenie in distress...

10/6/2005 8:34:20 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Regardless of the species, I believe that growers who are bothered by burrowing varmints need to invest in COPPER screening. Critters won't (can't) chew through it. Professional pest control people use copper screening to mouse proof structures all the time around here.

Try to obtain solid lengths of copper screen that is wider tyhan the base of the fruit or about 36" wide. You don't want any seems that could open up with fruit positioning or growth.

Place the copper screen directly on the ground, then sand, then pulp mill fabric & a little more sand (lubrication for fruit adjustments).

It's a larger investment than sand alone but what part of what we do isn't a large investment? Especially considering the damage that one chewing rodnet/mammal can do.

http://www.twpinc.com/twp/jsp/product.jsp?type=3

I've never used this technique but I've been polling my Pest Control customers & they mostly agree that a barrier treatment would be more sensible than constantly having to bait for mice or voles when the real problem could be a different chewing pest all together.

10/6/2005 9:31:40 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Now that I think about it, copper screening might even have an anti-fungal effect on fusarium fruit rots.......hmmmm.

10/6/2005 9:33:01 PM

Knopp, Germany

No pocket gophers here Shannon. Thanks for the idea Steve, though the insulation I have under it is certainly going to keep them out from getting in underneath. It is about a inch thick and much more dense then simple styromfoam.

You think that the greenie is in distress G, you outta see me....LOL

10/7/2005 12:36:14 AM

Long Island,New York

I've seen them destroy that kind of styrofoam btw.

10/7/2005 4:51:59 PM

Knopp, Germany

What! Well, I guess I will find out today G........

10/8/2005 1:20:14 AM

Long Island,New York

Awesome...best of luck...800 plus Owen !

10/8/2005 7:59:15 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

What was under the Squash when you took it out?

10/12/2005 9:12:24 AM

Knopp, Germany

It was a mouse. And it did not get through the protection, it crawled over it, and then between a shoulder to have a midnight snack. The damage was minimum, but I learned another lesson, next year I put out traps, BEFORE I find the signs of a varmit.

10/12/2005 9:25:17 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Peanut Butter glue boards are terrific until you step on one or it rains.

10/12/2005 11:20:19 PM