From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Avery, Texas

I'm the new kid on the block around here, but I figured this post would fit into the category of "Pests" since these critters are pests of the warm-blooded variety. Has anyone else ever had a problem with racoons attacking their pumpkins? The little bandits have clawed holes through the shell and into the inside of at least six of my best specimens! I'm assuming they are after the seeds, or maybe they're curious. Nevertheless, I'm devastated! (I only thought the wild pig attacks on my mounds earlier this spring was the worst thing that could happen, not to mention the torrential rains of June around here.) Would some sort of topical stuff that tastes nasty keep them off maybe? Has anyone ever encountered this problem?
THX!
Cyn from Texas

7/25/2004 1:19:48 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'll guess it's been dry in Texas? Perhaps they're after the moisture. Hot Sauce might keep them at bay. So too might the various Deer repellents that contain Bitrex (the Egg based repellents won't work on Racoons).

Motion activated sprinklers are available to scare critter away if repellents don't work.

A .22 will get the job done too as would a Conibear trap.

7/25/2004 8:53:56 AM

Avery, Texas

Well, my mounds are pretty close to a small stock tank, so you'd think the little demons could get a drink there, but it IS possible they were after moisture because, after all, this IS Texas!! I'd thought of the pepper sauce angle-that may be my first defense since I can't be there 24/7 to catch 'em in the act! A motion detector would have to be battery powered since I don't have juice out to my patch. Maybe I should be working on developing a variety of pumpkin that has thorns or something!!!

7/25/2004 9:48:19 AM

Western Pa.

I use something called a
"critter gitter", has sirens and lights and works on a small 9 volt battery. (Around $30). Also a live trap works well. One year the coons enjoyed "dancing on my pumpkins in the moonlight"! By covering them with blankets, they didn't scar the pumpkins. Sounds to me like it's time for a coon and wild pig barbecue in Texas!

7/25/2004 1:47:31 PM

Avery, Texas

I'm thinking pork chops sound mighty nice myself. I'm not sure about coon chops, but I might have to try it just to make myself feel better, ha. The pigs attacked my mounds because I amended the soil with a molasses-based fertilizer, and an alfalfa product, too, so I don't know which one they were after. Maybe both. So we set up a pig trap, but those porkers are too smart for that. I guess they're holed up in the creek bottoms where it's cool now. Not the coons, though. I'd never have predicted coons would be a problem. I may have to set up some electric fences of something, or that critter gitter sounds like a neat gadget. I wonder what radius it covers? That ought to get their attention. This was an experimental year anyway, but geez, what's next? Lol!

7/25/2004 7:01:50 PM

White Plains, NY

Seeds are mighty tasty to the Raccoon. Once they have discovered how easy it is for them to enter the pumpkins you are in trouble. Death of the coon(s) is probably your only choice. Not only will they continue but they will teach others. Hav-a-hart trap and then dispense.

7/26/2004 12:05:38 PM

South Western Pa

I’ve had coon problems too, check out my July 10 diary

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=23053

Since then I’ve caught five in a box trap, I think it’s a Hav-a-Heart. Then I turn them loose in a state gameland nearby. The bait that’s been working best for me has been cantaloupe.

7/26/2004 10:50:57 PM

Avery, Texas

Well, that's not good news. My place abounds with game, not far from the river, so there are plenty of coons. Removing them would help, but I might do well to put up an electric fence. Since I don't live on the premises to check a trap, that might help. Maybe chicken wire type? Battery powered? That might keep the deer out, too. Last year, when I first planted pumpkins in an experiment to see what grew best in my dirt, DEER tried to stomp them and left them with really wicked looking scars, but otherwise intact. I think they thought the pumpkins were watermelons, since they actually did smash and eat the watermelons. Maybe the .22 is the best idea. Then I could get pigs and coons and deer, lol. Or maybe a big dog?

7/27/2004 1:01:39 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

If it is any help to you, chicken wire has kept the woodchucks out of my patch so far.

7/27/2004 7:58:13 AM

Castro Valley California

shoot one, skin it and throw the carcass in the field as an example to the others. I did it 8 years ago and have not had a problem since. The carcass was a skeleton by morning

7/27/2004 12:55:23 PM

Avery, Texas

Vengeance is mine, sayeth the pumpkin lady! That's the best idea yet, to make an example! I'm on my way now to check on my pumpkins; family obligations have kept me in town, sigh. I hope I don't find total havoc has occurred in my patch! You folks are great! I wish I had found this message board sooner!
Cyn

7/27/2004 6:50:04 PM