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Taber, Alberta

I just got a call from a new grower in the area. He's got a pumpkin that has a few deer bites out of it. Probably 8-10 inches long and a few inches deep. I've never had this problem before. Is there hope for his pumpkin and is there anything we can do to help it through?
Thanks
Alan

8/21/2007 5:40:25 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If you keep the bites dry, they can scab over and heal up. I have had this happen several times myself.

8/22/2007 9:07:04 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

hmm sounds like he needs a good case of lead poison..

8/22/2007 1:42:20 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Hot Sauce, Thiram (Spotrete) & Vapor Guard to rid the patch of deer if lead isn't an option.

Agree the fruit might scab over if kept clean & dry.

8/23/2007 12:40:52 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

A 6 strand, 6' high electric fence works fairly well, also.

8/23/2007 7:57:41 AM

Georgia

Ive seen deer near my pumpkins but their covered in white sheets so the deer dont mess with them for some reason. They do nibble on the leaves but I plant beans near my pumpkin plants and they seem to like them more then pumpkins.

8/23/2007 10:04:02 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I don't think that lead is an option for Alan (heck Canadian's don't hunt and we aren't allowed to have guns) so you might want to try some of those motion detecting spriklers...they seem to work.

8/23/2007 1:29:33 PM

Somers, CT

Tea made from Cayenne pepper. There are several grades available up to about 120 from the local herb dealer (they are not witches). Normal table cp is 70 or so. Mix it with dish soap to make it stick. Agway sells it with some sort of wax that makes it stick to plants. The tea is so chunks will not clog the sprayer.

8/23/2007 1:39:55 PM

Taber, Alberta

Thanks for the help everyone!
Knock on wood, he's on an acreage on the other side of town from my patch, and we've never even seen a deer in my patch area.
Anyone ever tried paintballs? Those things are fun to shoot. The guy who lives across the highway is a cop, so the lead poisoning thing may work....or may not.
We'll have to try the hot pepper/sauce idea. Hmmm, I'm in the mood to go make some fresh salsa!
Alan

8/23/2007 11:57:57 PM

Greensburg Pa

I had big problem with deer,wood chuck. I tried plane wire fence 3 ft high, ground hog dug under. Put 6 foot plastic deer net up, the deer jumped through it. Finally put up a 6-7ft fence with mesh 4 ft up followed by electric wire every foot. 4x4 around base. See photo gallery dountownladder2 for pics. Nothing gets in now.

8/29/2007 12:44:32 PM

Westford, MA

There's been a dear in my neighbor's plot, and the other neighbor's peach tree 45-50' from my plot.
I've kept a radio tuned in to a talk show under plastic, in the middle of the patch.
I had heard that's it's a good way to keep away groundhogs, seems to be working on the deer.
kevin

8/30/2007 11:13:04 AM